Fuel Filtering Issues

JPM in WA · Apr 28, 2011

I am pretty sure my fuel filters keep clogging up due to using the fuel at the bottom of my storage tank. Does anyone have some good ideas on how to not have this happen every year. I filter all my fuel coming out of my tank, but that doesn't seem to help. What size (in microns) filter do folks use on their storage tanks? I am getting tired of changing fuel filters. Thanks. JIM

rustyfarmall · Apr 28, 2011

Maybe dump out the storage tank, rinse it a bit and then start fresh?

Bob · Apr 28, 2011

Have you tried cleaning it up with biocide?

Below is a link to ONE manufacturer's site.
Kill em

showcrop · Apr 28, 2011

I think that I would lower the pick up level of my pump, remove the filter block, pump into 5 gal buckets until it runs clear, then raise pump back up and reinstall filter block, use the bad stuff in a waste oil furnace.

rustred · Apr 28, 2011

clean tank as suggested. i like to have the rear of tank about 2" lower and have a ball valve in the drain plug. then you can just drain some settlings out every so often. put the drain plug in end of valve so if valve is opened no spill occurs.

hd6gtom · Apr 28, 2011

We used to have 5 micron and 10 micron filters for the tank. What type of filter do you have on the tank? Is it one with the clear plastic cover or does it look like an auto oil filter? I always thought the ones with the clear plastic cover did not do as good at filtering the fuel. If you do go to 5 micron keep a couple of spares on hand.

Michael Soldan · Apr 28, 2011

..read Bob's reply. Bacteria will live in the water in diesel fuel and create biomasses which will plug filters..kill the bacteria and it will be better...common deicer alcohol will do it,give tractor a good dose then the fuel storage tanks and repeat on a monthly basis for a while..or use the product Bob suggested,if you are filtering your fuel this is a bacteria problem clogging filters..ask me how I know!

JPM in WA · Apr 28, 2011

I just drained all the fuel out (there was about 5 gallons left) I expected to actually see lots of debris and was surprised that it ran so clear.

This bacteria killer product sounds good, I will look into that. Does the bacteria grow more so when there is less fuel in the tank and if it sits for 4 months? That is probably the main issue.

I am also wondering if the tractor fuel tank could need to be "cleaned" out too... can I use the bacteria killer in the tractor tank?

Thanks for all your input...JIM

Michael Soldan · Apr 28, 2011

..especially treat the tractor tank and do so regularly..its hard to believe that bacteria can live in diesel fuel,but any water whatsoever and there is bacteria..marine engines constantly have this problem with fuel tanks

Cenexguy · Apr 29, 2011

We just had a bio-tech company come through our area and inspect a few tanks. I had the opportunity to go along with him on some of the inspections. Interestingly enough we had a discussion about the Biocide treatments that can be placed into the fuel storage tanks to kill the bugs. He told me that once treated, you don"t have to add more. The product stays at the level between the fuel and water level, (where the bugs grow), and continues to do its job. If you keep adding, the product will build up and eventually reach the height of your drop tube from your pump. This is not a product that you want to get into your fuel system. It will plug filters and cause major damage to injector pump and injectors. One clients farm that we were at actually took out three injector pumps in the last few months (on three different tractors), by doing just this thing. Feel free to send me an e-mail if you want or need more info on treating filtering fuel.

Fuel Filtering Issues

JPM in WA

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rustyfarmall

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Bob

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showcrop

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rustred

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hd6gtom

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Michael Soldan

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JPM in WA

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Michael Soldan

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Cenexguy

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