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Restoration & Repair Tips Board

black algae in diesel fuel

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Fudpucker

12-21-2005 19:06:31




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Has anyone ever heard of diesel fuel with "black algae" in it. Several farmers in my area including myself and both partners have got a substance stopping up our fuel filters and the outlet valve on our fuel tanks. When you take the filter off it looks like a combination of things: black, oily and gritty all at the same time. Has anyone expereinced this and ow do you get rid of it. I have been told that unless you take the fuel tank off, cut a hole in and REALLY clean it it will come back. I have been told by old timers that the terminal probably delievered a bad load of fuel to our local fuel point. Any thoughts would be helpful as this is bringing things to a halt.

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Yugrotcart

01-06-2006 16:29:31




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
Your fuel supplier will have a "test kit" to check for bacteria in your fuel. If it tests positive, they can treat it.



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raymond goeckler

12-30-2005 13:19:49




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
i got this black bateria in water cotainated deisel,with the oldsmobile diesel converation in 1983,ate up injector pump,plugged lines and ruined injectors,g m has a tube of paste to put in tank to kill the bacteria,fungus.



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PQ

12-27-2005 18:28:37




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
Probably the safest and most effective way to clean a fuel tank is to drain it and bring it to a radiator shop. After is soaks in there tank for a while it will be fungus free.



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john_bud

12-25-2005 20:04:45




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
The bacteria live at the interface of water and diesel. That means your fuel has water in it.

Powerservice has products you can use to kill, dry and clean the fuel.

From the PS web site

"This complete do-it-yourself kit is used as a vital part of annual maintenance or for immediate clean-up of contaminated fuel systems. The products in the Diesel Fuel Polishing Kit will kill the microbes (bacteria and fungus), remove the slime and water, and stabilize the fuel for continued tank cleanliness

The Diesel Fuel Polishing KitŪ is available in three sizes.
Each kit contains: (For treating fuel tanks up to 100 gallons) One 16-ounce container Bio Kleen
Diesel Fuel Biocide Two 32-ounce containers Diesel 9·1·1
(water and slime remover) One 32-ounce container Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost"

Other companies make similar products. Google on "Diesel fuel microbial contaminatin marine". I added the marine as boats tend to have more of this for some reason...

jb

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phil25

12-24-2005 17:33:10




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
OH boy, you have a problem, and its not pleasant but can be cured. bad news first: What you are calling "black Algae" is what known in the marine diesel world as the bug remains after they have have their meals:) what goes in those bugs has to come out in some form, hence black like liguid tar, and will stop 7500hp diesel in a minute.
At least you can flush the tank[manual pump and swab on a ship] and change filters quite often.
The stuff used to kill them is "isoicide?" a bad news chemcial to handle, may not be available in small customer amounts, we use 20 liters to 40 cubes[tons] of diesel per tank. Maybe you can borrow a tablespoon somewhere, or your fuel supplier may be glad to know he has bugs in his tank and will dowse your tank on the side?
If you drain off a sample in a glass jar, after sitting a day you will see very small wigglys bugs[black dots] in the interface between the sample surface and the actual fuel surface, they only live in that small space and are harmless BUT their waste settles down and into your fuel system, and you know "what happens"
Maybe try getting a before sample and after treatment sample to compare?
kind of a long rant, hope it helps.
phil

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ricedaddy

12-23-2005 08:34:35




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
I had this to happen many years ago, what I remember is the supplier put chemicals in the tank, 10.000 Gal, And many cases of filters later ( going right back into the tank) we finally got it out. It"s not fun, and also it"s not caused by cheap grade fuel, it"s cause from shelf life!
Good luck
Ron



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Mike Van Dyke

12-22-2005 21:26:50




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Fudpucker, 12-21-2005 19:06:31  
MY MOMS MERCEDES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAS GOTTEN RID OF IT. GOOD LUCK



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amoudy

12-23-2005 05:12:06




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 Re: black algae in diesel fuel in reply to Mike Van Dyke, 12-22-2005 21:26:50  
I have heard that this is common on spot market lower grade fuels. On of the large farmers in the area had some sort of an additive that came in a 5 gallon can that was supposed to take care of the problem. The best solution is to stick with the premium grade of fuel. I think all companies have premium.



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