Frozen, Gelled fuel

[xerman]

Does anyone know if this "Mr. Funnel" really does work good to get water out of diesel? I am having a terrible time with water in my diesel in my RTV 1100. It had an in-line filter that completely froze up with water. I replaced it with a vertical mount filter separator unit and within an hour of use that filled up with water and froze. I completely drained the fuel tank and refilled it with fresh treated (Howe's) fuel and again replaced the fuel filter. Same thing, frozen water in filter, machine won't run. I have tried 3 different gas stations for fuel. The last time I drove to a large truck stop station just off the interstate, same water issue. I talked to my kubota dealer and he said all the stations have water in their diesel. That it is not the station but rather the fuel distributors that are delivering the fuel that has water in it. If this "Mr. Funnel" really does remove the water maybe that is the solution to my problem.

 

[rockshaft]

Does anyone know if this "Mr. Funnel" really does work good to get water out of diesel? I am having a terrible time with water in my diesel in my RTV 1100. It had an in-line filter that completely froze up with water. I replaced it with a vertical mount filter separator unit and within an hour of use that filled up with water and froze. I completely drained the fuel tank and refilled it with fresh treated (Howe's) fuel and again replaced the fuel filter. Same thing, frozen water in filter, machine won't run. I have tried 3 different gas stations for fuel. The last time I drove to a large truck stop station just off the interstate, same water issue. I talked to my kubota dealer and he said all the stations have water in their diesel. That it is not the station but rather the fuel distributors that are delivering the fuel that has water in it. If this "Mr. Funnel" really does remove the water maybe that is the solution to my problem.

The funnel separators work well at removing water from source fuel. Using a mr. Funnel and keeping your tanked topped off should solve the problem, as a full tank won't form condensation like a partial tank can.

 

[Scooby074]

In my testing so far the filter appears to work.

I even did the "fill with water" test and water will not flow through the membrane on the filter. Interesting to say the least.

My only complaint about the Racor funnel, is the fuel that remains unfiltered in the bottom after your done using it. I think it is by design, so that there is a place for the water to gather, but I wish they had come up with a better solution.

xerman, what model of filter/seperator did you install? Im curious. So far, mine's worked better than expected, and hasn't completely frozen where fuel would not flow a single time despite having ice in the bowl.

 

[forester2]

Thank you. I've had the same problem on my RTV 900 and none on my other 2 deisels with the bowl type seperator filter. Where did you get your Ranco filter?

 

[Scooby074]

Any marine supply should have Racor. Also available online. I got mine from these guys, price was very fair, but shipping to the US would be a killer. http://www.hydraulic-systems.com/

 

[xerman]

Scooby074, My RTV 1100 came with a small in-line filter which immediately froze up once the temperature dropped below freezing. My other 2 tractors have the vertical type filter/separators and I have no problem with those tractors even though I use the same fuel out of the same container with the same additive. I thought replacing my in-line filter with a vertical mount filter/separator would solve my problem, it didn't. But to answer your question what I put on was a Kubota filter/separator P/N K7561-92400. It was expensive around $100.00. When I ordered this unit from the dealer it was not listed as a replacement filter for an 1100. It was listed under the Model RTV 900 parts list. Although it fit just fine on my 1100. The correct mounting bracket with pre-drilled and tapped holes already on my machine. It took about 20 minutes to install.
forester2, I Googled mr. funnel and a whole bunch of sites came up. I clicked on " find a dealer near you" and there were none within a 250 mile radius. But then I found you can get them from a bunch of different on-line places including Amazon. They start out about 16 to 18 dollars for a small one and go up from there. Shipping was about 5 dollars. On Scooby074's advice I will probably be ordering one. I see your location is Western New York. Where about's? I am out in Bennington which is just south of Darien Lake amusement park.

 

[Scooby074]

xerman. I cant find much on the factory filter you installed. Only a single tiny picture and no real description of the filter's specs. But it looks like it has no sediment bowl? If so, I can see why its still freezing if you have alot of water. The bowl is key to getting the water away from the face of the filter media. Do you have a better picture of the setup?

Is this what you have? I looked at that before buying my Racor. The Racor is a MUCH better filter.

 

[xerman]

Scooby074, I am pretty sure the picture you show is exactly what I have. The bowl is about 3 or 4 inches deep and the filter takes up about 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the bowl. I just looked at the Racor web site. Is the part number on what you are suggesting 025-MBL-02B. Any idea how much they cost. I found a place that sells them about 25 miles from me. The picture of the Racor looks almost exactly like the one I have. But if the Racor can solve my problem I would go with it. My machine is useless at the moment. Just put $3,000.00 into a plow on the machine and there it sits unable to plow. You can imagine the grief I am getting from the Mrs.

 

[rockshaft]

We use the funnels religiously, especially for critical generator refueling.

Btw, i used to go to Fun Country most summers when i was a kid! Grew up in Maine and usually visited my grandparents in Orchard Park.

 

[Scooby074]

Scooby074, I am pretty sure the picture you show is exactly what I have. The bowl is about 3 or 4 inches deep and the filter takes up about 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the bowl. I just looked at the Racor web site. Is the part number on what you are suggesting 025-MBL-02B. Any idea how much they cost. I found a place that sells them about 25 miles from me. The picture of the Racor looks almost exactly like the one I have. But if the Racor can solve my problem I would go with it. My machine is useless at the moment. Just put $3,000.00 into a plow on the machine and there it sits unable to plow. You can imagine the grief I am getting from the Mrs.

It looks like Racor is the OEM for the Kubota part. Racor makes a TON of filters of various features and qualities however.

Im not going to say the Racor is a miracle worker... but it does work good! They have a great and well deserved reputation.

I completely understand your frustration after buying that plow! Hopefully we can get you going and keep the Mrs off your back!

Alot of guys on here have no problems in the cold, but alot of them keep their tractors inside too, whereas mine is an outdoor tractor, and lives 99% of its life there, so that does complicate things.

What I didnt like about the factory filter was the small filter element and no sediment drain. and its made of plastic. The racor is much more substantial.

The Racor is only about $85 IIRC with the aluminum housing. Then budget on $50 for various hoses, fittings and other misc. Its a much larger filter, about the size of a car oil filter. If your having really extreme issues, there is even the option of adding a fuel bowl heater too.

Model# is Racor 120a S. It does NOT look like the one you have. On the filter itself there is a letter, it signifies the filtration level, mine is an "S" which signifies its a 2 micron. It has to go before any lift pump (dont know if the RTV has one, but I assume it does) so that any water is not emulsified.

The 120 looks like this: . Online pricing and more pics here: https://www.thedieselstore.com/template/productOutput.php?partNum=RAC120AP&VehNum=

I did an install thread on my BX here, perhaps it may help you with the plumbing: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/268153-adding-spin-racor-filter-bx25.html

Something else you should try, is find yourself some "Water Finding Paste" like Kolor Kut. You spread it on a stick and it changes colour in the presence of water. You should dip all your tanks and see if you have any free water at the bottom. If you cant find a store, check and see if your local gas station will give you a squirt (its only cheap, $5 a tube). They should have some, because theyre supposed to use it when they do their dips at night.

 

[cheoah]

Those Mr funnels work well, give your system another drain and start over. Pain in the butt however maybe it'll get you back to burning diesel. I have a Racor in my boat. Some models have vacuum gauges you can screw in the top and show when the filter is getting clogged.

 

[Judd Bankert]

Just bought a used Kubota RTV 1100. First freezing weather we got it would not start. I took out the manual and the first suggestion was check the fuel line. What do I find, an ice cube where a fuel filter should be. I pull the filter and plenty of fuel came out the hose when I cranked the motor. Thawed out the filter and replaced it (I did not have one on hand) and the machine started. So I knew the problem, I thought. I went and got a couple of new filter, put one in, treated the fuel in the tank, and with warmer weather operated the machine for a week or so. Now last night the temperatures in Virginia dropped and this morning the same thing. But this time when I pulled the fuel filter, which was again frozen, but this time nothing comes out of the hose from the tank when I crank the engine. I am afraid the line from the tank is as well. I just read what xerman has been trying and am afraid I am about to face the same problem challenge of how to get and keep water out of the fuel system. What I got so far is to try the Kubota filter/separator and try Mr. Funnel. Confused and discouraged.

 

[MHarryE]

I find fuel where I live has water to some extent. I used all 3 suppliers and selected the best. I have a water block filter on the outlet of my fill tank but I still get some water. Part of it is fuel tank condensation. Part of it is water separators are about 90% efficient. When I was working we designed the fuel tank pickup to be as much as 1 inch above the tank bottom so ice forming at the bottom didn't block the outlet, but we also had a tank drain to clear water when it settles to the bottom. Haven't checked my RTV900XT to see what it has but the only time I ran it in below zero conditions this winter I had fuel gel problems and it took Power Service to keep me running.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My RTV900 has over 350 hours and fuel filter has never been changed and has no visible accumulation of any sediment or water in it. I run it till the tank is almost empty prior to refueling it from my onsite 100 gallon storage tank. I have never drained any sediment from the bottom of it either in over 4 years. I have a prefilter on the pump and that keeps my fuel clean and waterproof. I don't understand how so many folks get water into their tanks on tractors and other equipment unless they are buying dirty fuel to begin with.

 

[Judd Bankert]

Scooby074, I finally went back and read through your entry #70. Took me a while to figure out how this bulletin board worked. Thanks for the advice, although directed to xerman it is going to help others as well. I just ordered a Mr. Funnel and hope that will help in the future. Also want to install a separator but will skip the Kubota filter/separator and go with the Racor. Hope I can find the "water finder paste" so I can check the tank before I drain it to be sure there is water in it but I have got to believe there is because it is coming from somewhere. Ended up ordering a Racor RAC-110A filter and plan to install it. But it looks like I am in for a mess job draining my tank. But right now I have 10" of snow to deal with and the machine I thought was going to help me is useless. Such is life.

 

[Judd Bankert]

My RTV900 has over 350 hours and fuel filter has never been changed and has no visible accumulation of any sediment or water in it. I run it till the tank is almost empty prior to refueling it from my onsite 100 gallon storage tank. I have never drained any sediment from the bottom of it either in over 4 years. I have a prefilter on the pump and that keeps my fuel clean and waterproof. I don't understand how so many folks get water into their tanks on tractors and other equipment unless they are buying dirty fuel to begin with.

Just looked up Bismarck, AK annual average temperatures and maybe that it the difference. My Kubota was running fine until the temperature dropped below freezing. The water in the fuel system was not causing any problem until it froze. Unfortunately it will be staying below freezing here now for at least the next week and it may be below freezing 24-7 for the next month or more.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

I now always use fuel treatment in my 5 gal fuel cans before I get them filled at the station... Less like to forget when I top off the tractor... So far so good!!!

 

[Scooby074]

Scooby074, I finally went back and read through your entry #70. Took me a while to figure out how this bulletin board worked. Thanks for the advice, although directed to xerman it is going to help others as well. I just ordered a Mr. Funnel and hope that will help in the future. Also want to install a separator but will skip the Kubota filter/separator and go with the Racor. Hope I can find the "water finder paste" so I can check the tank before I drain it to be sure there is water in it but I have got to believe there is because it is coming from somewhere. Ended up ordering a Racor RAC-110A filter and plan to install it. But it looks like I am in for a mess job draining my tank. But right now I have 10" of snow to deal with and the machine I thought was going to help me is useless. Such is life.

you may or may not like the Mr. Funnel. Ive stopped using mine because I got tired of wasting several oz of fuel after each fill and the mess of disposing of the left over fuel in the funnel. I may work in some sort of a valve to aid in draining the residue and then put the filter back in service.. right now it hangs on the wall as a $50 .. not mistake because it does work, but regret maybe?? It has the potential to be a great thing, the filter membrane is great, but MR Funnel has to re-engineer the surrounding funnel to be as good as the filter membrane.

The Racor spin on will be a great addition to your machine. I highly recommend it.

Treat your fuel (Howes diesel treat is good) and buy from a place that moves a lot of fuel so you know you have winter grade diesel. If you have a storage tank that was filled in the fall , consider not using it and try some treated fresh winter fuel from a known good store. There is a chance you dont have winter fuel in your tank.

Water paste can be found locally if youre lucky ( check diesel shops, or even places that work/sell oil furnaces. They use it too). Or online might be easier. Just google Kolor Kut paste. Remember if you are much below freezing, that water on the bottom of the tank or filter will be ice and the paste may not pick it up.

 

[Judd Bankert]

Well at this point I will try anything. I won't be using that much fuel so I hope the Mr. Funnel will not present that same problem. I got the paste through Amazon and order the Racor 110A separator and will put it on as soon as it get here.

 

[gsmaneeley]

Buy your fuel where the 18wheelers fuel up. Chances are they won't have as much problems. Second use a winter additive.....power service, Lucas, there are too many to list. Then have a 911 or similar on hand if you do gel(they are only to be used if you do gel). That should get you through. I live in upstate ny and don't have any problems.