Diesel Algae removal.

RedGreenGuy · Dec 26, 2018

Have 930 case that's not used very much. Maybe start it once a month for 15-30 minute light work. 2 years ago I removed tank, cut entire back out and did electrolysis on it. Sprayed tank interior with Eastman product to stop flash. 2 yrs later (now) problem is back. Must have 1/8 of an inch of thick black goo on bottom of tank. I have not kept 50 gal tank full because of tractors little use. Did keep biocide in fuel, but have not added any for probably a year. Now my question. Can I add say 5 gal acetone to empty tank and kill the algae and than pressure wash to clean. Can't do good job of washing as tank has 2 baffles.

Billy Shafer · Dec 26, 2018

I don't know what reaction there would be. A good steam cleaning would help. I used a good biocide to help keep the algae from returning. I used a company that would bring in a cleaning van. Fuel was pumped out and back in. Through a fuel filter system.Cleaned up the fuel system very well

newhollandnut · Dec 26, 2018

I?m going to try to post a link. These might be an idea
Snake

onefarmer · Dec 26, 2018

I have flushed the tank with hot water and let the water drain over night. Then rinse/flush with e85. Refill with fresh diesel and add a double or triple dose of biocide.

I had bad algae in my 4430 years ago. And recently in my combine.

Crazy Horse · Dec 26, 2018

Red ..... I would ask some of the guys at Possum Lodge ..... who could give you a better answer?

caterpillar guy · Dec 27, 2018

Keeping the tank low on fuel is causing some of your trouble. It gives room for things to grow and allows water to condense in the tank. Besides it is just as easy to burn the bottom half as the top half. Yup it costs money to keep it full. Diesel fuel will keep and be good for years even decades if it is kept clean and water kept out.
Also your fuel supplier must be getting dirt or something in his fuel he is bringing out to you. We have not had a fuel problem from algae or anything in the 60-70 years we have had fuel on the farm. One of the tanks my grandpa use for the cat back in the 50's or more back. Got the cat in the 30's new so must be close to that old.

showcrop · Dec 27, 2018

I would use a heavy duty degreaser to clean it. Acetone would not have any "magical" ability to dissolve it. Not that it is greasy, but that an aggressive cleaner is needed to break it up. A cheap oven cleaner would work. Though you can't get at all of it with your pressure washer, you could try to get a back and forth motion going with the nozzle to get at the other end and get it broken up enough to wash out the drain. The film is probably algae, and you can't keep it out because air is constantly moving in and out of your tank. You need to keep it either full or empty. You could perhaps plumb a Tee to a drain valve into the line.

Jerry He · Dec 27, 2018

E 85 gasoline is the cheapest and best product to fix your problem. Just let it soak and swish it around.

Tx Jim · Dec 27, 2018

My neighbor just finished with his 2015 tractors algae contamination. His tractor with common rail IP required all 4 injectors to be replaced at $843 each plus dealer labor cost.

TGP · Dec 27, 2018

Do you use biodiesel or off road biodiesel?

You really have to determine what you have going on.

Lot of the time diesel algae is confused with Biodiesel separation.
After a short time the bio separates and settles to the bottom
and most think it's algae.

When air hits the sludge it turns hard and shellac type.
E85 or lacquer thinner will cut it.

Try to run straight diesel from your supplier.
Tom

RedGreenGuy · Dec 27, 2018

Like your solution. Have added about 20 gal E85 and heavy dose of biocide. Will move it around 3 or 4 times daily.

Brian Dan · Dec 27, 2018

I don't know what type of fuel tank a 930 case has, steel or poly. Algae love the hide in the pores of a poly fuel tank and that is why it is so hard to get rid of. What I did to get rid of algae was to drain fuel tank, fill with hot water and soap shake tank, drain completely dry tank then add gasoline. Next drain gas. you can still use the gasoline in an gas engine. fill with straight diesel,
I did this on my algae problem two years ago and have not a problem since.
Brian

Diesel Algae removal.

RedGreenGuy

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Billy Shafer

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newhollandnut

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onefarmer

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Crazy Horse

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caterpillar guy

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showcrop

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Jerry He

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Tx Jim

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TGP

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RedGreenGuy

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Brian Dan

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