dirty diesel

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J

Jared

I was changing the fuel filter in our H34 today and I filled a cup with diesel out of the fuel line (when I had the primary raycor off by putting a cup beneath the lines without the filter in place). The diesel was not the nice pink that I expected, it was more the color of red wine. I did not see any strings of algae or anything like that, but I know that this is not right and this diesel is probably too dirty to ignore. We bought the boat last year and the tank was almost full and I do not know the history of the use of biocide, etc. Does this fuel sound too dirty to try the "fuel polishing" that I read about in the archives? If I can go that route, does anyone know of someone around Deltaville who performs this service? Any ballpark costs for a 25 gallon tank? From what I have read, these people can clean your tanks pretty well, so this sounds like a good idea - better than pumping about 25 gallons of diesel and disposing of it, installing an inspection port or new tank, etc. Any of the engine sages out there have any thoughts? Thanks for all the help in advance.
 
Jun 13, 2004
43
Hunter 42 Key Largo
Whole tank or just fuel line

Is the whole tank this color or just that which has been sitting in a black rubber fuel hose for a while?
 
J

Jared

Good Question...

That is a good question... I guess what I should do is stick my oil remover pump into the top of the tank and pull some fuel out and then stick it down to the bottom of the tank and pull some fuel out and compare before spending any money on reconditioning things, huh? What I did was remove the filter and then open back up emergency cutoff and let out a cup full of fuel. The motor had been run earlier in the day for about 20 minutes prior to oil change though, so I would imagine that is the normal tank stuff.
 
Jun 7, 2004
114
Hunter 34 Weymouth, Ma
Had my fuel tank polished in Camden Maine

after my fuel tank pepcock shutoff became completely clogged.. Paided about 150.00 and have not had a problem since. I do use biocide at every fill up. I also changed to a racor fuel water filter with a clear bowl at the bottom. I drained it twice last season and as I recall the fuel was kind of red. By the way the fuel tank is NOT 25 gals its 22 gals.. Found that out the hard way "ran out of gas"
 
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