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  #1  
Old 09-27-2009, 01:29 PM
Yak Yak is offline
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Diesel fuel 101?

I'm a diesel newb, but I've seen a bunch of posts lately about "microbes, algae, dirty fuel" etc.

Doing some research, I think the following link is a good summary of diesel fuel issues. Yes, there are/were links to questionable products embedded in the text, but the theory seems good.

http://www.dieseldoctor.com/messageboard/data/584.html

Any comments on the 'science' in the content?

FYI - I just changed the fuel lines and the fuel I removed would definitely be considered "dark". Since I've got 5 gallons, it's going back in but will definitely be diluted with fresh new fuel. No slime on the strainer, but the PO (or mechanic) did a hack job of re-installing it. I assume he tried to re-use the O-ring and had to overtorque the strainer back in.

Cross reference to post with pic of clogged/slimed strainer: Wanted: fuel tank/system advice

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  #2  
Old 09-27-2009, 02:17 PM
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Aside from:

"Eliminate fuel contamination with magnetic fuel treatment conditioning"

it sounds ok. There are a number of threads on here regarding algae/fungal infections in diesel fuel. I dealt with the same problem, drained the tank, treated with Biobor/startron/Soltron, and I'm a happy non-fungal camper again. Even draining the tank, you should still treat it with an antimicrobial agent such as the three I just listed to kill off any contaminants that remain on the sides of the tank.
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  #3  
Old 09-27-2009, 02:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbomachines View Post
Aside from:

"Eliminate fuel contamination with magnetic fuel treatment conditioning"

it sounds ok. There are a number of threads on here regarding algae/fungal infections in diesel fuel. I dealt with the same problem, drained the tank, treated with Biobor/startron/Soltron, and I'm a happy non-fungal camper again. Even draining the tank, you should still treat it with an antimicrobial agent such as the three I just listed to kill off any contaminants that remain on the sides of the tank.
X2 and filter the 5 gallons before putting it back.
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Old 09-27-2009, 09:59 PM
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I have never drained a tank yet. The biocide makes the bacteria small enough to pass through the filter harmlessly. DRaining the tank is a very drastic step and what the heck are you going to do with the fuel. Gas has to be drained and discarded when it goes bad, diesel does not.
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  #5  
Old 09-27-2009, 10:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbomachines View Post
Aside from:

"Eliminate fuel contamination with magnetic fuel treatment conditioning"
I assume that sentence is a legacy copy/paste artifact for an embedded hyperlink ad since it doesn't make any sense in the rest of the article.

In my case "draining" the tank is a by-product of changing a fuel line that had some cracks in it. I didn't want 5 gallons of fuel in a bucket, but I've got it.

There's no muck, scum, slime or algae in my tank or fuel - it's just dark and cloudy. That may not have been clear from the original post. The pic is from someone else's tank.
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  #6  
Old 09-27-2009, 10:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth View Post
I have never drained a tank yet. The biocide makes the bacteria small enough to pass through the filter harmlessly. DRaining the tank is a very drastic step and what the heck are you going to do with the fuel. Gas has to be drained and discarded when it goes bad, diesel does not.
After adding the antimicrobial agent to my tank, the diesel became so thick and nasty it would barely get through the filters before clogging up...I mean 5-10 minutes of driving before both filters are totally clogged. It did a great job at dislodging all the gunk in there, but I had to drain the tank. I was able to discard the diesel at my local transfer station.
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  #7  
Old 09-28-2009, 01:01 AM
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Yo homie !

"Dark" diesel is 99.99999% chance FUNGOIDAL.
Startron.
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Old 09-28-2009, 10:50 AM
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I'd like to note that what is growing in your fuel tank is not algae. Algae is a photosynthetic ogranism, it needs light to grow. What is in your tank in either fungus or bacteria. I'm a plant biologist so this bugs the hell out of me.
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Old 09-28-2009, 03:06 PM
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That was funny.
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Old 09-28-2009, 05:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD View Post
I'd like to note that what is growing in your fuel tank is not algae. Algae is a photosynthetic ogranism, it needs light to grow. What is in your tank in either fungus or bacteria. I'm a plant biologist so this bugs the hell out of me.
Kind of like JIMMYL trunk Badge of Truth .

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  #11  
Old 09-28-2009, 08:09 PM
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How about, I have a black microbial growth in my diesel fuel?

BTW, from what I've read, Startron is less likely to plug the filters than the biobore (sp?) as it kills the bacteria. I'm using the Startron on mine. The primary filter is very black but none of the typical signs of filter plugging. I'm on the third tank of fuel with Startron. How long does it take?
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  #12  
Old 09-30-2009, 08:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD View Post
I'd like to note that what is growing in your fuel tank is not algae. Algae is a photosynthetic ogranism, it needs light to grow. What is in your tank in either fungus or bacteria. I'm a plant biologist so this bugs the hell out of me.
algae algae algae algae algae

Since I had the head off my engine, I took the tank out to have it cleaned. Still, I wonder what is the best way to keep those nasty fellows from growing in the fuel besides driving a lot.
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  #13  
Old 10-01-2009, 12:21 AM
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All the bugs that grow in diesel fuel grow were water and diesel are together. So teh key is to keep water out, which mean keeping the tank full. Air in the tank can contain water so if you keep the tank full you have less air and therefore less water, which means less likely chance for bugs to grow.
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  #14  
Old 10-01-2009, 06:08 AM
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yes.

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