I have a friend that works for Parker Hannifin who introduced me to the world of fuel polishing for diesel engines. I've done a little more study and am yet not convinced I need to spend the several thousand dollars to buy a new
"packaged system", but I have been pondering whether I might design one myself for much less.

For those of you, like me recently, that never heard the term before, fuel polishing is a pump/filter system which is independent of the regular pumps and filters, whose job is to constantly circulate the diesel to eliminate bacteria growth common in stored diesel fuel.

Apparently bacteria and algea love to set up house in diesel, especially if it has moisture in it. Some articles say it is the root of almost all diesel failures, but I'm not sure that applies to lower use rigs like our Barths.

What I do know is, I for one, don't use my rig enough to keep the fuel fresh, and this is a concern.

Sooooooo, anyone have any thoughts on how an economical system could be built? Solar came to my mind as well as wind power. The idea is to have a low volume pump circulate into what appears to be a standard diesel filtration set up, so the pump is the big deal.

Corey

When I got my Barth I looked at two "add on's". One was to get an oil analysis service that promotes early detection of any contamination in the expensive engine. Gulf Coast Filter has a web site that discusses how their service filters can prolong engine life over a million miles. So I thought, OK lets talk to them. They said in a motorcoach the yearly cost was not really worth it and I should just get a mail in service and keep close tabs on any results. Titan Labs on Colorado does ti for under $40. Then I looked for fuel mileage improver's and the Air Dog popped up. It removes all air and water vapor by recirculating fuel through very small micron filters. They say you get protected fuel and no contamination resulting in a constant fuel pressure, better combustion etc. They are not cheap but a number of truck web sites say it is worth it for high use vehicles. For us the $1,000 may not be economical but it appears to be legitimate.

quote:

Air Dog

Looked up the Air Dog, looks like it is more of a fancy filter rather than a polisher. I like the idea of the analysis, well worth $40.

I'm hoping Rusty weighs in with some thoughts as he has petro-chemical experience.

Corey

It seems strange, to me, that someone has not been able to develope an additive to deal with the bacteria situation.

quote:

Originally posted by Dick Dubbs:
It seems strange, to me, that someone has not been able to develope an additive to deal with the bacteria situation.

On our jets, we found Biobor to work really well in jet fuel, which is quite similar to diesel fuel.

It also helped to constantly get rid of water in the tanks and sumps. Water encourages the bad stuff to live in your fuel. Tanks were either gravity sumped manually, or automatically by constantly sucking a little bit from the low spots. Additionally, keeping the tank full when sitting makes a big difference.

My diesel owning friends use Biobor and a water trap. One effective brand is Racor.

Bill,

You make a very good point that should be emphasized, fill your tanks before storage! The less than full tanks create cold metal surfaces exposed to moisture laden air, presto - water condensation.

Corey

Bacteria don't grow in the fuel; they survive at the fuel-water interface. As Lee said, there are additives to prevent the growth, far cheaper (and effective) than gadgets - it doesn't take much additive. I know of no modern fuel filter that isn't 100% effective in removing bacteria. The engine wouldn't suffer from ingestion of bacteria (they wouldn't get past the injector nozzles), so longevity wouldn't be compromised.

However, I might consider one of those devices if the vendor would be interested in trading for a bucket of smoke, some radar bug spray, left-handed wrenches, and several hundred yards of shoreline...

My fuel filter has a water trap and a "Water Present" warning light on the dash. That's more than enough.

and why nor a little dry gas

quote:

Originally posted by Dick Dubbs:
and why nor a little dry gas

In a diesel? I dunno. Alcohol is a poor lubricant. Injector pumps need lubrication.

I dunno! someone smarter than I (it wouldn't take much) must have thought of this before. I would think the filter(s) would catch the alchy- water or the ratio of water to oil should be enough to lube the pump. just an inquiry.

As Bill H noted there are additives you can buy. On the other hand there was just a guy on one of the bus boards that i go to that fired up a bus that had been sitting with a tank of 11 year old fuel.

We got a 1960 GM Bus that sits a lot (and will hopefully move out after we get our Barth) and a big semi truck that sat for 3 years before we put it back in use. We used "Howe's" fuel additives, about $15 a bottle, treats 300 Gal and also winterizes the fuel. Had no problems at all. The bus (Detroit) has near one million miles, the big truck only 475,000 (Cummins). Just read the labels, they treat bacteria. The color of your fuel will be black if it's "growing stuff". Keep the tank full! Condensation is bad.