Something strange in my fuel

[Strodad]

So I am back to working on the 1990 L2850. I had a no fuel on cranking the other day, so I checked the fuel filter and found what you see in the pictures. I did not clean out the fuel tank after I bought it, so I am dealing with whatever is in there from the previous owner. Strange thing is, is that it was 30-34 degrees finally when I had this problem, I would have thought it would have happened at colder temps. Now the crystals stayed solid until I brought the whole mess into the living room( please do not judge me for the pizza box, it worked), as the crystals warmed up to 70 degrees they just turned clear and melted away.
I am wondering if this stuff may have been part of a "water-a-way" sock that fell apart and spilled in the tank.
I have replaced the filter and flushed some fuel through the lines, but I have what appears to be a no fuel related no start again.

 

[jyoutz]

I would guess that the diesel had jelled into wax.

 

[Strodad]

I would guess that the diesel had jelled into wax.

It was literally hard like a crystal. Now I need to find a way to bleed out the fuel pump.

 

[Russell King]

I would drain the tank and flush it out with clean diesel. You could drain it through a paint filter to see if you catch what is in your filter.

I have not seen fuel gel but I don’t think that is what it looks like. Put some in a glass jar and chill it outside or on ice to see if that is what it does.


Where is the pump located? Before or after the filter?

 

[Strodad]

I would drain the tank and flush it out with clean diesel. You could drain it through a paint filter to see if you catch what is in your filter.

I have not seen fuel gel but I don’t think that is what it looks like. Put some in a glass jar and chill it outside or on ice to see if that is what it does.


Where is the pump located? Before or after the filter?

The pump is after the filter. I did drain some of the fuel into a clear jar and noted a orange/ brown sediment that resembles algae in appearance. Aside from the substance appearing like a crystal, I am curious as to why it only gathered on the bottom part of the filter.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Are you talking about how to bleed the injection pump or the lift (Fuel Pump) pump?
Lift pump: Bleeds automatically.
Injection pump: There is a round knob on the side of the injection pump, open it and crank it a few times with breaks between to not overheat the starter.

 

[Fordtech86]

I don’t know why it would be near a tractor of that age, but DEF crystalizes on filters like that when it gets dumped in the fuel Some people think exhaust fluid gets added to the fuel tank as a fuel conditioner.

I did not clean out the fuel tank after I bought it, so I am dealing with whatever is in there from the previous owner.

has the tank been completely drained since you took possession of the tractor?

 

[Strodad]

I don’t know why it would be near a tractor of that age, but DEF crystalizes on filters like that when it gets dumped in the fuel Some people think exhaust fluid gets added to the fuel tank as a fuel conditioner.






has the tank been completely drained since you took possession of the tractor?

I will be draining it the rest of the way tomorrow once I get a empty drain pan.

 

[RalphVa]

It is not wax, as in "gel". I agree with Russel. Drain or sypon the fuel out and replace it. Maybe do a flush after draining or syphoning with some kero.

 

[Strodad]

Update, I have not been able to drain the tank as of yet. I do believe the tank is plastic so the tiny particles and dark orange crap that has settled into the clear jar make me think it is crap from a metal container. The fuel I put in the freezer has not jelled or crystalized in any way, but I do see a slight orange tint. I have rigged up a fluid pressure pump with 45 degree spray tip, from a old drop in diesel pump to not only flush the tank but to also wash down the entire bottom of the tank.
I just what everything ready so I can get it all done right the first time.