Water in diesel

[joshuabardwell]

My full 5 gallon diesel fuel can was in the back of the truck while it rained. The fancy-schmancy no-spill spout seems to have been stuck slightly in the "open" position, and I'm concerned some water got in. It got me thinking...

Can anybody confirm whether my tractor (Bobcat CT225) has a fuel/water separator? I think yes; I think it's the clear plastic cup underneath the fuel cutoff valve, and fuel filter, but I'm not 100% sure.

How can I tell if water is in the fuel?

What's the best thing to do with the fuel? I'm leaning towards just pouring it into the truck, when the tank is nearly full, since 5 gallons of watery diesel out of a 30-gallon tank is a lot less than 5 gallons in my tractor's 6-gallon tank. I hope the answer isn't, "dispose of it at all costs," because, sheesh, that's just like tossing $20 in the garbage. Yeah, it's cheap compared to the cost of new injectors, but surely there's a workaround?

 

[treman]

I have a Kioti CK 27 and as far as I know what you are referring to is the fuel filter/water separator. I wouldn't be too concerned with putting the fuel in your tractor. Also is it that likely that you got much water into the can at all? It just does not seem all that possible to have gotten more then just a half a pint and I would think that would be on the high side. Look in your owners manual and it should depict weather or not my thoughts are correct on the separator/filter.

 

[the old grind]

I wouldn't ask the system to do any more separating than I could do myself before fueling up. I had a similar issue recently with gas for a generator. Having but a few gal to deal with I poured off a bit at a time to inspect visually, and water droplets were obvious when I got to the last of it. A weird thing about it all was that when I left that sitting for later determination the water seemed to have disappeared from the bottom in two days. To be safe I added a bit of MMO to emulsify any (unseen?) remaining moisture and poured the last into the not-fussy golf cart that often gets the dregs but never complains.

Gas isn't diesel, but since I fuel everything from cans I might still do similar for the tractor if/when water 'happens'. Separators do require attention/service, so I wouldn't feed one any more than I absolutely had to between maintenance intervals.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I have a Kioti CK 27 and as far as I know what you are referring to is the fuel filter/water separator. I wouldn't be too concerned with putting the fuel in your tractor. Also is it that likely that you got much water into the can at all? It just does not seem all that possible to have gotten more then just a half a pint and I would think that would be on the high side. Look in your owners manual and it should depict weather or not my thoughts are correct on the separator/filter.

I dunno how much water could have gotten in. We've had a few inches of rain, but the spout isn't that big, so no, it's probably not much. But I don't know how much is enough to really care about either.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Water is heavier than all fuels so it should be right on the bottom. Pour it off slowly into a glass container and let it set for a few minutes. You should be able to see the water, if not, pour into your tractor and refill the gallon jug. Keep watching it especially when you get close to the bottom. You should be able to separate it out down to a pint or less.

 

[whistlepig]

On a Cummins diesel I owned the fuel filter had a "Water In Fuel" sensor on the bottom of the fuel filter. It also had a drain on the filter to remove water although I never had to do this in the twelve years I owned it. I'm kind of thinking that it would work the same way on my tractor. That any water would show in the bottom of the clear cover that my fuel filter is in.

 

[puckgrinder85]

5 Gallons of fuel isnt worth the damage water can do, but I agree it will settle out and on the bottom of any tank you put it in, could just fill up a clear container over and over to see if any water is in there, doubt it if just the spout was open.

 

[Clint S]

How about letting it settle to the bottom and then keeping it out in the cold. The water will freeze and you can use it.

 

[firemanmike69]

How about letting it settle to the bottom and then keeping it out in the cold. The water will freeze and you can use it.

X2 or like another person said on hereour into clear jug, wait for water to settle and siphon off the the top and leave the water in the jug

 

[joshuabardwell]

How about letting it settle to the bottom and then keeping it out in the cold. The water will freeze and you can use it.

That's mighty darn clever, and with temps below freezing at night, I just might give it a go. It's answers like this that bring me back to TBN again and again.

 

[DieselMonk]

water doesn't have to freeze to settle to the bottom. Water is heavier than Diesel even in it's liquid state.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

As long as you have not added any water dispersing fuel treatments, you can use a MR FUNNEL and if will remove the water.

Mr Funnel Home

David Kb7uns

 

[radioman]

I was going to suggest mr funnel too, but you beat me to it. but your statement if about not adding water dispersants bothers me. I admit, I dont use mr funnel on my BX, but you got me thinking. what would happen to either cases .

I just researched a little on mr funnel and power service. on mr funnel website it says :Fuel additives and stabilizers may allow water to pass through filter. Add additives directly to tank. I always add PS to the tank anyways. To the OP - it might be a good idea to get a mr funnel if you havent used a additive yet in the can.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. Dumped it into the truck today. It's got a water in fuel idiot light so I should at least get a warning. The last little bit was more clear than green, but not much in the grand scope of things.

 

[DT86]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. Dumped it into the truck today. It's got a water in fuel idiot light so I should at least get a warning. The last little bit was more clear than green, but not much in the grand scope of things.

Better pack you a extra fuel filter in the glove box. I've seen a time or two when the light came on as it sputters to a halt!

 

[joshuabardwell]

Better pack you a extra fuel filter in the glove box. I've seen a time or two when the light came on as it sputters to a halt!

I know. Honestly, I think folks here are right that it was just not enough to matter--especially out of a 30 gallon tank. I'll be keeping my eyes open though.

 

[Scooby074]

As mentioned, Mr funnel or its Racor rebranded equivalent.

Water in fuel is bad mojo. Most small tractors come with a pretty chinsy fuel filter. I wouldnt want to over tax it. And then there is the issue of freezing if you get too cold.

I have a Racor model 120 sitting in a box on the shelf waiting to go onto my BX. The factory filters are a joke.

 

[DT86]

I know. Honestly, I think folks here are right that it was just not enough to matter--especially out of a 30 gallon tank. I'll be keeping my eyes open though.

I too doubt there will be any issues but I'd rather have one with me than have to call someone to bring me one on the side of the road. I even keep a 19mm wrench in the door pocket to bleed the injectors should I need to.

 

[joshuabardwell]

You know, come to think of it, maybe the time to dump questionable fuel into my truck's tank was NOT the night before I am going to be driving the trailer 120 miles one-way to take the pigs to the processor.

:duh:

 

[john_bud]

Better pack you a extra fuel filter in the glove box. I've seen a time or two when the light came on as it sputters to a halt!

Correct. also the new 20,000psi common rail systems can suffer serious damage from water. (quickly too) Putting it into a newer truck would be the last place id put it. the tractor would be more tolerant of water than a new truck. (ignore if you have a 15 year old or older truck).