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  #1  
Old 09-18-2013, 01:24 PM
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Diesel Fuel Cleaning / Polishing help?

Hi guys,

I have a genset that uses diesel. I just started it up the other day, and took a look in the fuel tank. EEEK!

It's black as night and appears to be contaminated. I am posting here because I know others have encountered the exact same thing with their cars.

Googling around implies that I have algae problems.

Several articles note that simply putting in a biocide will create sludge on the bottom of the tank and make things worse.

Most approaches appear to be either

1) Use filtration (e.g. Racor Filter and water separator, Gulf Coast F1 filter) along with a continuous duty pump to filter out the mess until it is clear and usable.

2) Use a magnetic system (e.g. Algae-X) to expose the algae to rapidly changing magnetic polarity and cause the algae to burst its cell membranes and essentially dissolve into sub-celluar particles that will not harm the engine.

What do you guys recommend?

I'm trying to figure out the easiest, least-expensive way to fix the fuel, short of dumping 30 gallons of diesel and cleaning the tank (only to have this occur again in the future...)

Thanks,

Packman

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  #2  
Old 09-18-2013, 03:23 PM
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i don't see the problem with the dead sludge as long as you are straining & filtering the fuel. doesn't it just mean you would have to clean the strainer once or twice?
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  #3  
Old 09-18-2013, 03:28 PM
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do more research. the "sludge,algae,fungus,bugs, etc..." it's ALL just asphalt. get a large bottle of startron DIESEL fuel conditioner, and pour it in.
it will reconstitute the particles back into diesel fuel, and will not plug up your filters. (it'll likely clean them up!)

Diesel Power's "diesel CLEAR" in the white bottle with the GREEN label is similar to Startron's effects.
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"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
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Old 09-19-2013, 01:26 AM
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Thank you VSTech! I just picked up a bottle of Star Tron DIESEL fuel conditioner. I'll try it. Got it at NAPA for $12.

Thanks,

Packman
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  #5  
Old 09-19-2013, 09:06 PM
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Note; if you have some really nasty Fuel and don't want to toss it out; the cheapest way to Filter it is to drain it out of the fuel Tank through a Bag Filter.

You can look on eBay and see what I am speaking of. WVO and Biodiesel makers use them.
They are supposed to be washable and reusable but I think that depends on what you are Filtering.
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Old 09-19-2013, 09:20 PM
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Keep some spare fuel filters with you. Change the filter if the available top speed starts to drop. Fill the spin on filter with fuel prior to installing.

Startron is good stuff. The local small engine guy says Startron helps combat the effect of alcohol in gas and its effect on small engines.
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  #7  
Old 09-19-2013, 09:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Junkman View Post
Keep some spare fuel filters with you. Change the filter if the available top speed starts to drop. Fill the spin on filter with fuel prior to installing.

Startron is good stuff. The local small engine guy says Startron helps combat the effect of alcohol in gas and its effect on small engines.
... it's a generator... not his vehicle.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #8  
Old 09-20-2013, 12:54 AM
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Update: Bought an 8oz bottle of StarTech Diesel additive (Enzyme Treatment). I dumped 1/2 the bottle into the 30 gallon tank and started the generator up.

Ran it for 2 hours. It appears to run normally (although I suspect the fuel filter is probably pretty gunked up by now).

I did this to thoroughly circulate the StarTron additive in the fuel. I will check in a couple of days to see if the product changed anything.

Sincerely,

Packman.

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