Tales of running out of fuel (and the remedy).

[DieselBound]

The less fuel you leave in your tank = the more condensation area and the more water you collect in your tank.

This may be theoretically true, but that don't make it a probable issue.

The Myth of Condensation in Fuel Tanks by David Pascoe: Boat Maintenance, Repairs and Troubleshooting

I had an issue with "water in fuel" light coming on on my Kioti (when it was fairly new). I was sure that it was condensation from my bulk (steel) fuel tank. Everything is stored outside. Pulled drain plug on the tank and found no traces of water. I pulled filters and drained all sorts of my diesel equipment and found ZERO traces of water. Turns out the original locking fuel cap on the Kioti was letting in rain water: dealer sent me a replacement; I'd only been complaining about how cheap it was, and added rant to other more pressing issues; turned out to fortuitously resolve the fuel issue.

I like to live dangerously. I'll run the fuel tanks low on just about everything. Especially fun doing it with my cars as I look to notch out another 800+ mile tank (VW TDIs). Couple of times I've had to bleed injectors on my Kubota after its sat for a while: I know I've messed around with this and I might have resolved it. Every once in a while I'll have a crank-fest on my cars after doing a bunch of work: lots of fuel filter connections [running CAT filter on mine and the fittings can sometimes be leak points]). Have a great injector wrench so I'm not worried. Kioti has a purge function. Also have a purge filter on my 12v Cummins (complements of the previous owner).

Full tanks on tractors is added ballast, so not a bad idea in that regard. I do agree that it's smart of have a reasonable amount of fuel in the tank for emergency purposes: last thing you want to be doing is having to refuel in the middle of some sort of emergency situation!

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

This may be theoretically true, but that don't make it a probable issue.

The Myth of Condensation in Fuel Tanks by David Pascoe: Boat Maintenance, Repairs and Troubleshooting

I had an issue with "water in fuel" light coming on on my Kioti (when it was fairly new). I was sure that it was condensation from my bulk (steel) fuel tank. Everything is stored outside. Pulled drain plug on the tank and found no traces of water. I pulled filters and drained all sorts of my diesel equipment and found ZERO traces of water. Turns out the original locking fuel cap on the Kioti was letting in rain water: dealer sent me a replacement; I'd only been complaining about how cheap it was, and added rant to other more pressing issues; turned out to fortuitously resolve the fuel issue.

I like to live dangerously. I'll run the fuel tanks low on just about everything. Especially fun doing it with my cars as I look to notch out another 800+ mile tank (VW TDIs). Couple of times I've had to bleed injectors on my Kubota after its sat for a while: I know I've messed around with this and I might have resolved it. Every once in a while I'll have a crank-fest on my cars after doing a bunch of work: lots of fuel filter connections [running CAT filter on mine and the fittings can sometimes be leak points]). Have a great injector wrench so I'm not worried. Kioti has a purge function. Also have a purge filter on my 12v Cummins (complements of the previous owner).

Full tanks on tractors is added ballast, so not a bad idea in that regard. I do agree that it's smart of have a reasonable amount of fuel in the tank for emergency purposes: last thing you want to be doing is having to refuel in the middle of some sort of emergency situation!

I think I would never have that guy inspect anything to do with engines.

 

[DieselBound]

I think I would never have that guy inspect anything to do with engines.

What part of physics are you struggling with?

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

What part of physics are you struggling with?

Real world reality and much of what he states is incorrect. Maybe that's why he is in marine; the heavy metal paint and fumes probably destroyed him a long time ago.

 

[DieselBound]

So, you got nothing. OK!

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

So, you got nothing. OK!

Let's put it simple for you: he believes tanks never change temperature and they are all fiberglass.

 

[palinmajere]

I had a leak on a dump truck that would drain the fuel out of the lines, and replaced the head on my old John Deere 850 compact tractor. In both cases, I put 15-20 psi air pressure in the fuel tank, and cracked the fuel lines at each injector until fuel would start coming out. Works great and starts right back up. Don't put too much pressure in. My parents did that with a Deere 7720 combine and it pushed out the side of the fuel tank into the belts. Had to take the tank off and pound it back flat on the belt side to make clearance.

 

[Richard]

$8.25 on Amazon....

Motorcycle fuel tank valve with reserve. Gets you back to the barn.

Nice! I didn't realize others also slept in the barn.....

 

[vagem55]

Read the manual for your equipment. I had heard and read you never run a diesel out of fuel. My fuel filter was dirty and the engine quit on my Kubota B3030. Replaced the filter without filling with fuel. Was worried about bleeding, seeing the procedure on Youtube. Manual stated, just fill and start. Took a couple times to stay running, but worked fine.

 

[Fxfymn413]

When all else fails you can "prime" a diesel by running it on WD-40 until the fuel reaches the injectors. Spray the oil into the intake and it will run on it. Do not use starting fluid as it is too volatile.