schmitts711
Michigan
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KD4UPL wrote:Some of the fuel in my generator tank is about 4 years old. Some of it is older than that. I put some kind of biocide in there maybe 3 years ago. It runs the generator just fine.
I started up the generator and it ran okay for a minute, then it started surging, so I turned it off. Is this what would happen if I had bad fuel?
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schmitts711
Michigan
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wolfe10 wrote:Biocide is something like Biobar JF.
I was looking for biocides on Amazon and saw this. Sounded like what I wanted. I was going to add a shock dose (1 ounce for 40 gallons), let it sit for a week or so, then run the rig and generator. If everything is okay, I'd try to do a trip where I can burn off the old gas. Should I try to burn off most of the half tank before topping off?
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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If you have to hit the fuel with a biocide, be very ready to replace both fuel filters and learn how to bleed a dry fuel system.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Algae, I have read, only grows when water is in the tank. It grows at the water/fuel interface.
No water in tank, no need for biocide. Water in tank, the tank should be drained and cleaned, then filled with fuel, and all fuel filters replaced.
Diesel fuel does not rot and turn to varnish the way gasoline or gasohol does. Age does not mean much to diesel fuel.
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wolfe10
Florida
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mowermech wrote:Algae, I have read, only grows when water is in the tank. It grows at the water/fuel interface.
No water in tank, no need for biocide. Water in tank, the tank should be drained and cleaned, then filled with fuel, and all fuel filters replaced.
Correct.
But (OK large BUT) the original post said the tank was stored HALF FULL for two years. Very likely there has been enough condensation to provide the water necessary for microbe growth.
Storing with a full tank reduces condensation.
* This post was
edited 08/21/21 10:27am by wolfe10 *
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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The moisture/condensation in the tank could also have caused the exposed metal surfaces to rust which may start to show up in your fuel filter as rust colored debris. It will quickly disappear as the fuel flushes it away.
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stickdog
Somewhere, USA
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Carry a spare fuel filter.
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Mel Stuplich
Wausau, WI
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schmitts711,
Google "diesel fuel polishing near me".
FUEL POLISHING is a FUEL CLEANING PROCESS that filters diesel fuel in fuel tanks to remove contaminants... (Also known as diesel fuel polishing or diesel cleaning services), fuel filtering effectively removes water, microbial particles, and sludge from on-road and off-road diesel.
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schmitts711
Michigan
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stickdog wrote:Carry a spare fuel filter.
Already have that on order and will carry it with me just in case. Still wondering what the advice is on when to top off the tank. Should I do it ASAP before trying to use up the old 40 gallons? Either way, prior to storage for Winter I plan on having the fuel filter replaced.
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schmitts711
Michigan
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wolfe10 wrote:mowermech wrote:Algae, I have read, only grows when water is in the tank. It grows at the water/fuel interface.
No water in tank, no need for biocide. Water in tank, the tank should be drained and cleaned, then filled with fuel, and all fuel filters replaced.
Correct.
But (OK large BUT) the original post said the tank was stored HALF FULL for two years. Very likely there has been enough condensation to provide the water necessary for microbe growth.
Storing with a full tank reduces condensation.
On the upside being in Michigan the rig is in storage during the cold months of November-April, which should help inhibit growth. I've had the rig since '17 and in all honesty have never added a biocide and never had an issue. The difference this time is COVID kept us from traveling in '20 which ended up doubling the time it sat untreated.
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