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.