anybody here have Asphaltenes in their fuel?

Botaskinner · Jul 11, 2017

was out moving some dirt yesterday when my 2320 started bogging down, losing lots of power.
After cleaning the air prefilter, which did not help, I pulled the sediment bowl and found it to be half full of a sticky, reddish brown gum that only shellac thinner or brake cleaner could dissolve.

I was able to soak the fuel filter element in denatured alcohol enough to get it going again.

I've never seen this before in 20 years of diesel ownership.

It is NOT algae.

Funny thing was, my local Kubota service guy hadn't seen it either.

Looking on the Internet I saw that it could be what is referred to be Asphaltenes, which precipitate out of diesel fuel after a time in a humid atmosphere.

There is a company called Penray who has developed a fuel conditioner just for this situation, but it is not available locally.

Has anyone had this happen, and if so, is there another fuel conditioner that you have successfully used to dissolve this?

Goose69 · Jul 11, 2017

Asphaltenes.???? Sounds like the Greek God of pavement or something.
... Nope never heard of it, or experienced anything like that in 20+ years of owning and maintaining Diesel engines. But I'm not as educated as I once was.

Tractor Seabee · Jul 12, 2017

Asphaltene - Wikipedia

There is a bunch of info on Google besides this. Several hours of reading to help you get to sleep. I do not have that problem so GO.

Ron

Streetcar · Jul 12, 2017

Asphaltenes are sprayed on roads to prolong pavement life

smstonypoint · Jul 12, 2017

Goose69 said:
Asphaltenes.???? Sounds like the Greek God of pavement or something.

:laughing: Good one.

Steve

3930dave · Jul 12, 2017

I haven't experienced this issue OP.

With past technical issues, I usually received prompt answers from Stanadyne. I believe the ownership of their fluid products has changed in the last year(ish), so YMMV, but I'd try them for comments on their products re. handling asphaltenes.

Rgds, D.

oosik · Jul 13, 2017

Hmmm - sounds like a brand of soda cracker.

Copperhead · Jul 18, 2017

I, and many others, had that problem with Cummins ISX engines. The ISX would "cook" the fuel so bad in the rail that the return fuel would show carbon bonding asphaltine. It would build up in filters. Many commercial heavy truck dealerships parts departments carry a additive that will help prevent asphaltine. Generally works pretty good. Might be worth a try.