What is safe to use for removing water from #2 diesel?

MapleLeafFarmer

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Dec 2, 2019
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One of my storage drums got a dose in the last rainstorm....
How much water entered the drum?

If you are not willing to trash it all (me I would have some worry about damaging engines as repairs are very expensive these days versus a hundred bucks or whatever worth of diesel) you could siphon off the top portion for use (or drain contaminated bottom portion off if there is a drain valve/bung at bottom)

Water should go to the bottom of an undisturbed drum over time. Draining drum at bottom plug until clean diesel comes out is one way or siphoning off the good top portion is another way.

many choices and boils down to personal preference. Me I would trash it all if you think a lot of water and other potential contaminants in your supply.
 

Old Machinist

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Those water socks will only get a minuscule amount of water. Not worth the money IMO. The only written review on that link was 1 star.

Siphon or pump off the bottom to get most of it out. Raise the pickup off the bottom to use the remaining fuel. When it gets low enough pour the rest off into a clear container to see what is left.
 
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lugbolt

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you'd think you'd get all teh water out with a separator...but alas, SOME of it is always suspended in the fuel. Big issue with common rail engines and the main reason we were required to send a fuel sample off to blackstone for "lab work" before kubota would agree to warranty repairs
 

arml

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Thanks all for your replies, Ill try to save the fuel....if not then it will do OK in the home oil burner. Thanks again.
 

Russell King

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There are funnels (Mr. Funnel is one example) that will filter the water out of the fuel. They generally come in different flow rates so choose appropriate size and remember that diesel foams a lot in the funnel.

Using a water separating filter on the output of the tank is probably the best thing to do and just always use it when you need to fuel the tractor. I am not sure how you move your fuel from storage into the tractor though.

You can also look into fuel polishing methods that are a good way to clean up fuel in large quantities. Perhaps just pump it back and forth through two separate storage tanks and use a couple of different filters to eliminate the water and any growth.
 

DustyRusty

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Pump the fuel off the top till you get down to the middle of the tank. Use it in your home heating. Let the container rest and when it gets cold enough to freeze, the water at the bottom will be ice. Pump off the top till you get close to the ice and once again use it for heating. What is left to use for starting your brush fires next summer.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Thanks all for your replies, Ill try to save the fuel....if not then it will do OK in the home oil burner. Thanks again.
Reading your equipment list the B5100, BX2200, G1800 will all be fine if you have any amount of water in the fuel.
If you have anything NEW that does regens, avoid any fuel with the possibility of water in it.
 
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BAP

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Pouring water laden fuel into your home heating tank is no smarter than pouring it into your tractor. Water in your home heating tank will cause the tank to rust from the inside out and can cause your burner to quit when you need it the most.
 

GreensvilleJay

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time and tilt ! As others have said. tilt container to the WATER drain plug, time 'settling for say 6 months.
BTW how much diesel are you asking about. Say 45G (+-200 litres ,maybe $1 a litre, so 200+$, maybe $300
WHY would you take the chance of causing a LOT of $$$$ damage, and down time to 'save' $300 ?
I use old 'free' diesel to start fires,safer than gas.
 

hedgerow

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One of my storage drums got a dose in the last rainstorm....
I grew up in the fueling selling business and have dealt with a lot of water in diesel. Its no fun and can cause a lot of issues. When you say a drum are we talking 55 gallons or less? If 55 gallons or less I would just like the water settle out drain off the water and I would take the diesel to someone that burns waste oil and let them burn it. I wouldn't chance it in my equipment or my home heating system. Its not worth the possible problems that could be caused.
 
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DustyRusty

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Pouring water laden fuel into your home heating tank is no smarter than pouring it into your tractor. Water in your home heating tank will cause the tank to rust from the inside out and can cause your burner to quit when you need it the most.
For $20 you can get a product to protect your tank from water damage and it will also bond with the water so it can go through the burner and not cause problems. I had used it for over 30 years in my home heating oil tank. Many home heating dealers have a few bottles on the truck in case the customer asks.