Fuel Gauge detailed results, pump or clog?

[bison]

I wonder what you guys use for fuel?
In all my yrs running diesels(there are many of both),I never ever had a problem with plugged sump screens,crud in the tanks or gelling yet.
Water a couple of times yes,but that was the result of me storing diesel in 45 gallon barrels with leaky bungs.

like TD says, just fuel hose is good enuff for installing filters in the stock lines, at least it is easy to take apart again,and cheap to replace. no other tools needed than a knife or side cutter and screw driver.

 

[Matt Bachand]

I never had a problem until I replaced my leaky tank with a brand new one, and did the FSU at the same time. Problem was, I should have re-used my diesel sock with the flapper. But it's getting eliminated and a pre filter that is servicable for sure. Also with clear water/fuel separater so I can visually see fuel. I always add Power-Service White to winter blends to prevent gelling, but I think it was just too much getting through that screen, which had a triple rolled up screen inside it. It got to the point half way down my tank where it tripped the SES light and had no fuel pressure.

More Anti-gel or diesel 911 might have fixed the problem, but the proper screen would have prevented it I think. I had the tank job done, and should have done it myself and compared old and new screens... Just assumed replacement parts are right....

Drain bung on tanks would be ideal too... by dropping the driveshaft, I could squeeze between the muffler and the tank and had plenty of room with the utilty body blocks that hold my body up 8-10 inches... What a shame how fast that FSU got all old and junk looking....

 

[SmithvilleD]

I'd agree that I've never actually seen gelled diesel. Probably doesn't get quite as cold as AK during IA winters, but the only cold related fuel problem I ever saw w/ diesel tractors, wasn't gelled fuel, but ice crystals from water.

If you pulled the primary filter element outside in the cold, you could see the crystals plugging the media in the folds.

 

[SmithvilleD]

It would be nice to have a drain bung at the lowest point. I know an OTR trucker that intentionally tweaks his saddle tank mounts so they've got a bit of slope. Often after it's been parked overnight, he'll drain a small amount both to monitor if he's getting any water in fuel (in case he can track where he picked it up & avoid filling there), as well as flush any bottom dwelling debris.

He takes the concept seriously enough that when driving a truck other than his own, he consciously looks for a place where he can park on an appropriate slope.

 

[ak diesel driver]

Water a couple of times yes,but that was the result of me storing diesel in 45 gallon barrels with leaky bungs.


You ever wonder how all that water manages to get pass those "leaky" bungs. It was explained to me that when the barrel sits out in the sun and everything in the barrel expands it pushes alot of air out. Then when it cools of the contents shrink and creates a vacuum. Pretty tough to stop a vacuum from sucking water sitting on the top of the barrel. We always put a chunk of 2x4 under the barrels so the bungs stays out of the water that would normally collect on the top.

 

[Matt Bachand]

I saw waxed/gelled diesel come out of my transfer pump once I didn't put the additive in the xfer tank, but in my main tank, and it looked like a snowcone/icecream coming out of the pump. This was a few years back. Unrelated to current issue.

 

[bison]

Water a couple of times yes,but that was the result of me storing diesel in 45 gallon barrels with leaky bungs.

You ever wonder how all that water manages to get pass those "leaky" bungs.when the barrel sits out in the sun and It was explained to me that everything in the barrel expands it pushes alot of air out. Then when it cools of the contents shrink and creates a vacuum. Pretty tough to stop a vacuum from sucking water sitting on the top of the barrel. We always put a chunk of 2x4 under the barrels so the bungs stays out of the water that would normally collect on the top.

Even i had to learn the hard way at times

 

[Matt Bachand]

Also, unless that container is 100% full of diesel, condensation will form from the air inside the tank, resulting in water. The more air, the more water. Same thing can happen inside your fuel tank.