Algae in Diesel fuel

dsgsr · October 08, 2014, 01:19:54 AM

My 275 gal. fuel tank sat for 1.5 yrs. unused. It had about 30 gal. of off rd in it. It got algae and I tried the treatment of Soltron which always took care of it before (when it was used more regularly). It did not work this time so I have drained the tank. What should I use to clean the tank before re-using?

Thank you,
David

Southside · October 08, 2014, 01:46:26 AM

I have had good luck with Methanol when I had algae and water problems, just dumped in a gallon to a 275 gallon tank full and it was fine.

beenthere · October 08, 2014, 02:04:09 AM

After draining the tank, what do you think is still in it? Anything visible?

I'd think re-filling with no more than you expect to use up in a year, and have a new filter on the tank would suffice.

If you like the Soltron, then add it for backup in case some of the algae prevails. .. or the methanol, but I'm not familiar with that as an additive.

Just my thoughts...

mometal77 · October 08, 2014, 03:08:15 AM

Good article on this a few months ago in popular mechanics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkLnH08VVeM

dsgsr · October 08, 2014, 05:54:16 AM

Maybe I'll buy some Methanol and swish it around in the tank and drain. I don't think there is much sludge in there because I used the soltron along with Power Service religiously when the tank was in use the last 14-yrs.

Thanks,
David

coxy · October 10, 2014, 11:54:44 PM

does off road get it more then on road never seen it in on road

Southside · October 11, 2014, 12:24:13 AM

I am not sure about the often part but I lost an injection pump once on a 6.5 GM diesel, when we pulled the pump the fuel did not look right so we dropped the tank to clean it out and it was full of algae.

North River Energy · October 11, 2014, 08:22:36 AM

Had a mat of phlegm in a small tank on account of rainwater and a leaky gasket, and that stuff was tenacious.

I'd be tempted to pressure wash the inside of the tank, and then treat/dry it.
Admittedly a hassle, but no time like the present.

coxy · October 11, 2014, 07:03:40 PM

Quote from: Southside logger on October 11, 2014, 12:24:13 AM
I am not sure about the often part but I lost an injection pump once on a 6.5 GM diesel, when we pulled the pump the fuel did not look right so we dropped the tank to clean it out and it was full of algae.

it was not the fuel ;D those 6.5 had a lot of injection pump trouble I put 3 in my 95 the 4th one it went to the bone yard it only had 126000 on it

Southside · October 11, 2014, 11:46:49 PM

Tell me about it, I put 3 into that truck in the span of 200K, just a junk design, it was a 2000 so had the electronic eye, PMD, and every other dumb idea GM had come up with. Went from that to my '06 with an LBZ - 8) 8) 8)

dsgsr · October 26, 2014, 07:25:39 AM

Quote from: Southside logger on October 11, 2014, 12:24:13 AM
I am not sure about the often part but I lost an injection pump once on a 6.5 GM diesel, when we pulled the pump the fuel did not look right so we dropped the tank to clean it out and it was full of algae.

I've never seen it in On road either. I've had the problem twice in the 17-yrs. I've been working with equipment. It only happens when the tank is idle for weeks without having Algae treatment. So now I put treatment in every time I fill it and if work is slow I throw some in and pump the fuel back into the tank to mix it.

David

Cornishman · November 15, 2014, 06:00:34 PM

Another vote for pressure wash and dry. Do you guys over there get a percentage of biodiesel in your fuel. We have had problems with it over here. Grows algae quite well.

beenthere · November 15, 2014, 06:19:14 PM

Cornish
You say "over here" but without "here" in your bio, we have no clue. ;)

Pls. update your bio in your profile so it shows up with your posts. Thanks.

Cornishman · November 15, 2014, 06:39:48 PM

Sorry Your clue is in the name. Cornishmen live in Cornwall UK.

beenthere · November 15, 2014, 07:38:50 PM

And the next reader will not know that either. Pls just add it to your bio. Then it is done. Thanks

We have Cornish people here in Wisconsin.

FayettesFinest · November 17, 2014, 11:48:17 PM

A friend of ours has had an algea problem with the hydraulic fluid in his John Deere tractor. My dad seems to have the cure for it. I'll talk to him and see what his method is and get back to you. I know they're different fluids, but with both being oils, maybe it'll help. I deal with a lot of algea in swimming pools (that's my summer job) and if possible, maybe move your tank out of direct sunlight...

DDDfarmer · December 13, 2014, 05:25:13 PM

Is this just a problem in warmer locations? Never heard of algae in fuel and asked some of the old-timers, they said what about all the fuel caches left around the north for the cat trains? Some were left for years.

Gadrock · December 28, 2014, 10:19:49 PM

It is deffinitely a problemdown in the South with the boating industry. Some people fill their tanks and add a biocide and a recirculative pump...independent of the fuel system...and the go out for a ride in the moving seas. And that means having additional filters for the boat, while the aux system polishes out the fuel in the recirculation as the boat rocks back and forth. I have used this program myself on an old boat purchase for the cure.
I have been informed that a biocide will kill algae in its tracks so topping off a fuel tank and using biocide while often changing good filters for newer ones may fix your problem
On my logging operation the 100 gallon tank on my truck gets a workout as we use much more than that on a daily basis. Fuel filters are changed on the supply tank often so the filters on the equip is not being taxes too greatly.
My loader, skidder, and cutter each have engines in the near 200 hp range so fuel consumption is appropriately high.

David Gaddis

Carry on