Frozen, Gelled fuel

[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.