Fuel filter crud

Pau7220

Well-known member

Equipment
L3650 GST, Landpride TL250 FEL w/ Piranha, 6' King Kutter, GM1084R Finish
Aug 1, 2017
785
278
63
Scranton, PA
I've seen some talk about soft black crud in the fuel filter housing. I do believe I found the source. I was actually fueling up when it started drizzling. I was banging the fuel cap on the loader to get one drop of water off of the rubber gasket. It looks like when the dust/liquid separator sponge in the vented fuel cap starts to disintegrate, it falls through the vent hole in the rubber gasket, and you know where it ends up.

Now I see how you guys get the large pics in the posts. Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,285
6,443
113
Sandpoint, ID
I don't know of a foam in the cap???
but it's possible you could be right.
Still looks like could be algae to me. :(
 

mickeyd

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2014 L3200 DT w/LA524 FEL, 2019 Kubota Z121S w/ 48" Pro Dec, TG1860G w/RCK54TG
Mar 21, 2014
1,192
18
38
Guin, AL
My cap never looked like that but my fuel filter had the exact same looking crud when I had the algae problem in my fuel. Some Bio-Cide did the trick, no more problem.
 

Pau7220

Well-known member

Equipment
L3650 GST, Landpride TL250 FEL w/ Piranha, 6' King Kutter, GM1084R Finish
Aug 1, 2017
785
278
63
Scranton, PA
I don't know of a foam in the cap???
but it's possible you could be right.
Still looks like could be algae to me. :(
Since I don't have a lot of history on this machine, and the past butchering I found ... we could all be correct. I was kind of assuming it was foam because all of my Hondas have a foam separator in the Hydro tank filler cap.
Recommendations for best brand of algicide?
Should I treat all the fuel regularly?
 

200mph

Well-known member

Equipment
L4740-3 Cab, FEL, Fnt Snow Blower L2185, LP Finish Mower, LP Rotary Mower
Mar 3, 2017
1,228
61
48
PA
When I discovered crud in the fuel filter, I decided to drain the fuel from the tank in an effort to flush what I could from the tank before treating with Biocide and fresh fuel. Not saying this is necessary, but what I did to assess how bad it was.

Removed the rubber hose at the filter inlet and let the contents drain into a clean container of sufficient size. After the fuel settled, I strained the upper most fluid and poured back into the tank to help stir up the crud. Did this several times until no more big stuff came out. Added fresh fuel treated with biocide. For preventative maintenance, add to each fill.

Example of treatment found at Tractor Supply:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/power-service-bio-kleen-biocide?cm_vc=-10005
 

mickeyd

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2014 L3200 DT w/LA524 FEL, 2019 Kubota Z121S w/ 48" Pro Dec, TG1860G w/RCK54TG
Mar 21, 2014
1,192
18
38
Guin, AL
I never flush my fuel system. I just put a little Biocide in my fuel tank and let it set for overnight. The next day it started and ran like new.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,285
6,443
113
Sandpoint, ID
Since I don't have a lot of history on this machine, and the past butchering I found ... we could all be correct. I was kind of assuming it was foam because all of my Hondas have a foam separator in the Hydro tank filler cap.
Recommendations for best brand of algicide?
Should I treat all the fuel regularly?
I use Soltron, weird name but the stuff works wonderfully! ;)
I can get it at Napa.
Don't get fooled buy Startron...That completely different stuff.
 

Pau7220

Well-known member

Equipment
L3650 GST, Landpride TL250 FEL w/ Piranha, 6' King Kutter, GM1084R Finish
Aug 1, 2017
785
278
63
Scranton, PA
Thanks again NIW. I'll track it down in the morning.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,285
6,443
113
Sandpoint, ID
I do not treat every time, but I do if the fuel has set for any amount of time.
I do treat all the time, but our weather shift pretty drastically which compounds the problem.
I go through a lot of fuel especially when the weather gets bad so I can't afford down time.