How to know when your fuel storage containers have water in them.

[Spam Bot]

Just learned this today. I picked up my plastic jugs to take them to the service station to get some fuel for the tractor. I left them outside yesterday, knowing that today I would be going out, and I might forget to get fuel. When I picked up one of the containers, it rattled. There was a little fuel left at the bottom, and apparently water in it turned into ice. I haven't done it yet, but I will pour what fuel is left in that container into a plastic jug, then bring the plastic jug into the cellar to thaw the ice so I can pour it off into the snow.

 

[Tx Jim]

You could utilize a product such as observed in the following link to detect water in fuel. https://www.amazon.com/Gasoila-Regu...qO3jbODp8dzoiFASxTqIG9oPLIqG54t1TYnLmpP_G5opx

 

[JonM]

i keep an eye on my water fuel seperator. the 6060 has a clear bowl i can see how much is in there or just drain it if yours is a traditional spin on type like i have on my truck.

if your fueling from 5 gallon jugs and not using all of whats in a jug before refilling as a habit it will turn up like that.

there isnt a good way to check 5 gallon jugs that i know of

 

[chim]

I have a DIY storage/dispenser system that is three 55 gallon drums and a 12V pump. The fuel is treated with biocide and antigel. The last part before the dispensing hose is a good Goldenrod waterblock filter. I don't worry about it.

 

[Shawn T. W]

If it's already frozen ... Just take out the ice cube!

 

[number two]

Mr Funnel!
Good Luck!

 

[bambam31]

Mr Funnel!
Good Luck!

+1. On Mr Funnel and Clear Diesel Additive.

 

[Blue2Orange]

I guess freezing is one way to separate the water from the diesel. I've been using a funnel that looks similar like the Mr. Funnel for decades. So far, no water in the fuel issue. But the BX doesn't have a water sep. Considering Clean Diesel. PowerService's anti-gel, cetane booster seems to have worked just fine for the past quarter century of use.

Real cold is moving in. Yesterday was cold with a high of 6F. Warmed up all night to a balmy 12F. Light fresh snowfall. Another AM session snowboarding. Then the wind arrived. A NW wind. Howling wind right now. Forecast is sub 0F highs by Friday and lows in the negative teens. Good test for the PowerService. No accumulating snow forecasted during the cold snap. So LOT gets to sits cold in the garage. If I hear rattles in the tank.....

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I actually fill mine portable cans with a little hot water and dish soap a couple of times a year, shake well, then rinse a couple of times.
Leave in the sun for 1/2 hour with cap off to dry.
Not sure if this is right but gives me good feeling that it kills / removes any fungi / bacteria / etc...

1/2 hour in the sun should dry it out fully I hope???

right thing to do?? maybe not but I do anyways.

fuel issues due to bad fuel sucks and can be expensive.

 

[selftot]

+1. On Mr Funnel and Clear Diesel Additive.

An additive that "removes" water just emulsifies it so it flows thru the system slowly rather than collect as a separate layer of water.

I don't think Mr Funnel removes water from fuel that has been treated..

I'm not knocking your fuel treatment method - just want to know if I'm wrong about that.

 

[ruger1980]

I probably first saw this when I was about 8-10 yrs old. It has stuck in my mind ever since.

 

[Spam Bot]

I buy my fuel at a station that sells a lot, but you never know what was in the last delivery. If I see the station getting a delivery, I wait a day for the fuel to settle in the tanks. The water always goes to the bottom. The pumps usually pull off about 15" from the bottom to avoid any water problems. The tanks also have alarms to warn if water collects at the bottom, and it is pumped out to eliminate contamination problems.

 

[Blue2Orange]

I actually fill mine portable cans with a little hot water and dish soap a couple of times a year, shake well, then rinse a couple of times.
Leave in the sun for 1/2 hour with cap off to dry.
Not sure if this is right but gives me good feeling that it kills / removes any fungi / bacteria / etc...

1/2 hour in the sun should dry it out fully I hope???

right thing to do?? maybe not but I do anyways.

fuel issues due to bad fuel sucks and can be expensive.

Consider a bleach solution. For cleaning sailboat sails of scum, mold a few of us have had success with a diy solution labeled Formula B. Goggle for correct recipe. Practical Sailor magazine years ago compared it against commercial products. Just or more effective at a fraction of the cost. Haven't used for years. Just hoist the sails after docking or the next day if conditions allow and let them fully dry before bagging or covering works.

An additive that "removes" water just emulsifies it so it flows thru the system slowly rather than collect as a separate layer of water.

I don't think Mr Funnel removes water from fuel that has been treated..

I'm not knocking your fuel treatment method - just want to know if I'm wrong about that.

I add PowerService after filtering the diesel. Would do the same if deciding to use Clean Diesel additive. Funnel to filter out any particulates large enough to be captured by the membrane and hopefully most of the water in the diesel if any. Keep the tank topped off to reduce the amount of atmosphere in the tank to reduce the amount of possible condensation. And don't open the fuel cap when moving a tractor from a colder to warmer environment until temps have reached equilibrium. Not much else I can think of to reduce moisture in the fuel. Any other hints?