Is it rust or fungus in my fuel?

[Complete Turf Care]

I have a 100 gal. diesel transfer tank on my truck that I use to fuel up my tractors. This is my second tank. The first one got full of what I thought was rust, and started clogging filters on my tractors. So, I got rid of it and bought a new tank from TSC. Now, I'm having the same issue with the 'new' tank which is just over 2 years old. Both are steel tanks.

This past winter, it stayed about half full. Now, I'm having the same problem. Some sort of mud or crud is clogging my filters. I do have a filter on the discharge.

I've started shopping for an aluminum tank to replace my steel tank, but will that solve my problem?

Is it fungus in my tank, that could be cleaned up with a treatment? I've never added anything to my fuel. And treatment would save me over $600.

Or is my tank rusting, and nothing would clean it up?

 

[texasranger556]

Could be algae, I'd try some algacide. Some relevant info on what to look for.

Preventing and removing diesel algae - BoatCoachBob

 

[ovrszd]

I've saw algae twice. Black slimy moss looking stuff.

Changing tank type won't help.

 

[bigdeano]

Try a magnet on it. Red rust is weakly magnetic, black rust is more strongly magnetic. I watched a youtube video, otherwise I wouldn't have a clue.

 

[Fallon]

"Algae" in fuel is technically microbes or fungus. It generally shows up when there is water contamination. If your fuel is gone dry & there is no water at the bottom its unlikely to happen. Unless you live here in Colorado, you likely have humidity, which turns into condensation as the tank breathes due to temperature fluctuations.

Realistically water causes the rust issues as well, so you can blame moisture as the root cause no matter what it turns out to be.

 

[TractorGuy]

From my limited experience rust will look red and algae will look black. I had rust in my backhoe tank when I got it and found some black in my plastic JD tank. Since cleaning and adding treated fuel I have not had any issues.

I store fuel in 55 gallon steel drums and so far have not had a problem. I have never NOT put additives in my fuel. I run Stanadyne Lubricity formula and Killum Biocide. The past winter I added an anti gel.

 

[Wagtail]

I asked on your other 'related' thread if you have put an inspection camera down into the tank in order to confirm.

If you do have a biological growth it will look like fairy-floss (cotton candy) mixed with phlegm. A swab, using a CHUX (J-cloth), will come out brownish.

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Edit note: I've just read your other thread post where you say that you did put a camera into the tank with negative results. Believe me, if you had a biological 'infestation' that affected the flow of fuel you would definitely 'see' it.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Edit note: I've just read your other thread post where you say that you did put a camera into the tank with negative results. Believe me, if you had a biological 'infestation' that affected the flow of fuel you would definitely 'see' it.

Yes, I did try the camera in left tank on my tractor. My camera is a cheap camera and I'm not sure what I was seeing. But I did not see anything that looked like cotton candy or anything that obstructed the camera lens. I may try putting the camera into my transfer tank to see if that reveals anything.

Thanks for the info.

 

[prichard]

I'm confused on how it is clogging filters on your tractor but not on the tank filters. Perhaps you need to improve filtration at the tank.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm confused on how it is clogging filters on your tractor but not on the tank filters. Perhaps you need to improve filtration at the tank.

Yep. This describes my Brother's setup. His tank filtration allowed the algae to be pumped into his tractor's tank. Bad situation.