I have learned remedy is to pump out of bottom of fuel tank and change the fuel filters and bleed the fuel system.
How common is water in your diesel tank?
How common is water in your diesel tank?
How does water get into your fuel?
- Thread starter Greg McKenzie
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Never had any but I change my fuel cap o-ring at least once, but sometimes twice per year. Just found out the size and bought a bunch of them.. I suspect most water in the diesel tank, and I'm not talking about suspended moisture in the fuel which most all diesel has some, comes from leaking fuel fills or poorly placed vents..
The tank can sweat and the condensation will go to the bottom of the tank. Also if you buy fuel from a station that is low on fuel you'll get some water, besides a leaky fuel cap.
If you have ever flown in a small plane you'll see that one of the first things you do is to drain from all tanks and engine into a glass to check for water.
There is a reason that it is recommended that your tank be full when stored over the winter or left at the mooring or dock.
If you have ever flown in a small plane you'll see that one of the first things you do is to drain from all tanks and engine into a glass to check for water.
There is a reason that it is recommended that your tank be full when stored over the winter or left at the mooring or dock.
I agree with Maine that most water in the fuel tank probably gets there from a faulty fuel fill cap "O" ring or from the vent. Another source is probably that you are buying fuel with water already in it. If you are not able to readily drain water out of your fuel tank, I suggest getting a water/crud Baha (or the West Marine knockoff) type filter and use it every time you put anything in your fuel tank. The West Marine filter works pretty well in separating water and dirt/crud from fuel and it's simple to use.
Filler cap or vent line
Two examples I am aware of in the last couple years. On one, the filler cap was plastic, and a close inspection fount it to have a tiny hole in the cap itself. This one was in the floor of the cockpit, so water collected pretty good and ran into the tank. The other was the vent line on a nearly new H36. Vent line went straight to the tank, with no loop. I believe there was a recall notice from Hunter on that one. But the "O" ring on the filler cap is the first place to look.
Two examples I am aware of in the last couple years. On one, the filler cap was plastic, and a close inspection fount it to have a tiny hole in the cap itself. This one was in the floor of the cockpit, so water collected pretty good and ran into the tank. The other was the vent line on a nearly new H36. Vent line went straight to the tank, with no loop. I believe there was a recall notice from Hunter on that one. But the "O" ring on the filler cap is the first place to look.
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