Algae in my Diesel - Next Steps?

[davefr]

I have a JD 1070 that I only use a few times a year and I recently discovered algae in my diesel. I try and keep the tank pretty full and buy fresh pump grade diesel but apparently that's not good enough. I understand that if algae grows in diesel that I have water in my diesel. Here are my questions:

1. I assume I should drain the tank and replace it with fresh diesel? Or can my 10 gallons of diesel be saved with an additive/treatment?

2. Should I replace the diesel fuel and treat it immediately. Will the treatment remove any residual algae (if any) from the tank/lines? What biocide/cleaner/treatment should I use? Killem???

3. I plan to replace the strainer at the tank and the fuel filter by the engine but should I do it immediately or let the additive work for a while?

4. Is B20 grade diesel better when it comes to staying fresh? What about Biodiesel?

The tractor runs great but I want a better plan so this doesn't happen again.

Here's what I found:

Strainer was almost completely clogged and I think that crap is algae:

Here's what a tank fuel sample looked like compared to fresh diesel (tank fuel sample on left):

My old fuel tank cap. Rust might be from condensation:

 

[Industrial Toys]

I NEVER had this problem except in my 770 years ago. Man, what a nightmare! I had to meticulously clean out much of the fuel system. Especially the fuel tank. I pressure washed it, then sucked out the water with a venturi style vaccume, made sure it was totally dry before adding fuel. Blew out the lines to the filter.

 

[Rock knocker]

I know all about this. We have a 950 that was stored outside from 1983 until 2012. Water in the fuel was a never ending problem even after it was stored inside, which I subscribe to water being a result of algae respiration and waste. Anyway, shocking the heck out of it with Bio-Kleen by Power Srvice Corp. worked great.
Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide | Power Service

 

[powerscol]

4. Is B20 grade diesel better when it comes to staying fresh? What about Biodiesel? B20 is biodiesel - stay away from the stuff as its shelf life is not as good as you have found out. It also jells sooner.
There are several good Biocide treatments out there as mentioned above. It appears you already have alga in the tank, so a good cleaning is in order. I would suck it out through the cap someway, so you can get to the bottom of the tank. I would also flush it with clean fuel. Save the old and treat for re-use if it clears after treatment. Water can enter you system through condensation, It come in through the vent cap. My FIL in Mississippi has a lot of problems with this too and keeps his fuel treated and topped off, especially in the winter.

Good luck

 

[LD1]

I am sure you will get many opinions, as there are some on here who believe in NO additives at all, and insist they arent needed and a waste of money.

I on the otherhand treat everything with the bio-kleen by powerservice that rock knocker posted. And this after going through 2 $1000 injector pumps in my dodge in 15k miles. The shop that rebuilds the pumps said I was foolish not to run additives, so I have been running them since. Simple filter changes isnt enough anymore, especially in equipment or vehicles that are not daily drivers.

As to your situation, pitch that filter and get a new one. Drain and flush the tank. Then refill with fresh fuel thats been treated and go from there.

 

[Texasmark]

Power Services products are what I use. They have several different products for different problems/protection. Keep my tanks squeaky clean. I inspect the tanks every time I fill them and fuel at the bottom is red tinted (dye) but otherwise crystal clear.

I use an inline filter at the outlet of the pump, Gold something or other brand, commonly stocked at ag stores.

On your problem, I use 55 gallon drums upright, sealed when not being used, so it's easy for me to adapt what I am about to say:

1. Ensure that your fuel tank has been undisturbed for as long as you can wait.
2. Raise your pickup off the bottom of your tank as far as you feel prudent.
3. If you don't have one, install a filter at the point of use.
4. Pump out your tank with the above resources.
5. Drain tank
6. Install protection via PS products or something similar for fuel storage.
7. Refill your tank.
8. Replace your inline filter media
9. Enjoy clean diesel.

Optional, might want to draw down and then drain your equipment fuel tank(s) and install new fuel filters too.

 

[ovrszd]

Good advice here!!!

I wouldn't even consider saving the fuel from the tractor tank. I'd dump it all.

Use additives from this point forward focusing on Bio treatment.

You must treat ALL of your storage containers. This is like a virus and you'll spread it by using contaminated sources. This contamination usually starts in storage tanks and is then transferred to equipment. Nasty, nasty, nasty!!!! Get control of this immediately.

Off point. Good side is that I use my equipment so often the fuel doesn't have a chance to go bad..... Bad side is my fuel bill reflects that.....

 

[Renze]

In 2008 blending in biodiesel became mandatory here in Holland. Everything broke, or stalled. Old stuff quit because of clogged filters, new stuff had CR failures, both Bosch CR on Cummins and Denso CR on Deere. I had it in my tractor last year and flushed the tank, then bought bacteria killer.

The problem is biodiesel is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the air. Then in the layer between the water at the bottom, and the fuel that floats on top, there is a mixed layer where bacterias grow.

 

[bigdeano]

On my old gas tractors I put a piece of electrical tape over the vent hole in the winter to at least slow down the air going in and out. The tanks are almost empty so a lot of gas isn't sitting there waiting for someone to steal it. Haven't had any water problems in a long time.

 

[lucky llama]

I have had this problem with many different diesels. If it is easy drain the tank and refill. Then treat with an algae killer. You should also have several spare fuel filters on hand they will continue to clog for awhile. Marine diesels have this problem quite often.