Black gunk in fuel storage tank

Roy Suomi · Aug 6, 2023

Is there any sure fire way of getting rid of that infamous black goo found in outdoor fuel tanks. I filled up my furnace fuel tank thinking that it would suffice my needs for a couple of years. Also looking to get a diesel generator, so that would also help with fuel consumption. I went to NAPA and bought a bottle of blue additive to clean the invasive goo monster. I'm in the process of putting together a pump/filter set-up in hopes that will help. I'm no Rockafeller, to buy steel spin on filters so I bought 2 large whole house water filters. Installed the filters on suction side of pump so it doesn't ruin the pump. Hoping this will help filter the fuel out. Any ideas ?

Jim.ME · Aug 6, 2023

Look at Power Service BIO KLEEN and Power Service CLEAR-DIESEL FUEL & TANK CLEANER. I have used both.

I don't know how the filter medial in water filters will stand up to diesel fuel. my water filters are on the pressure side, not the suction side. Are yours intended to have suction pulled on them?

The cartridge type dispenser fuel filters may be more cost effective than spin-ons, like the Golden Rod type sold at TSC. NAPA, WIX and others have the same type, but most go on the outlet side of the pump.

caterpillar guy · Aug 6, 2023

Kind of late now. I would have drained the tank out rinsed it out with some clean fuel then once cleaned out treated it with a biocide and left it full after that. Now it will take more than twice as much filtering with new filters each time it plugs and treated also. I can't say that water filters will screen out fine enough for the job. You probably need to be in the 4-20 microns range to get it filtered out. I think if I was going to filter the whole tank now. I would get one of those old Lube refiner filters that they used to put on trucks years ago IF it would filter out for engine bearings it would probably catch most of what you needed to get out of the fuel and they were a couple gallon filter. Would let fuel through faster than engine oil I would think.

504 · Aug 6, 2023

I would worry about the plastic in side of the water filters breaking down and going into your pump and oil burner. For the cost of shipping I would give you two spin on filter bases.

Centerplate · Aug 6, 2023

Cat Guy has the best answer. Clean out the tank, flush it out and refill. The gunk comes from bacteria in the water trapped under you diesel fuel. In my area, some of the fuel suppliers will help with the whole process. I am not sure everyone will do that for a customer.

Roy Suomi · Aug 6, 2023

Yeah, I kind of wanted to filter before the pump got a slug of goo hence on the suction side. I don't know if the water filters will
take suction, just one way to find out. These are 50 micron pleated paper filters. I was going to use spin on filters and bases after
initial clean-up.

Roy Suomi · Aug 6, 2023

I've got 2 Kenworth filter bases, I just don't like the prices of the spin on filters.I might have to sell some blood to pay for them. I'm not real concerned about the plastic breaking down, I've used them with parts washer fluid before. Seem to work alright.

hd6gtom · Aug 6, 2023

Buy premium grade diesel fuel instead of the cheep crap and you won't get the black junk. Premium #2 fuel has a algicide built into it as part of the premium package. 90 % of truck stop/convience store fuel is not premium grade fuel. It's made to be used immediately and not stored for any length of time.

Roy Suomi · Aug 6, 2023

OK . How does one know if you're buying the cheap stuff or just paying too much for the cheap stuff. I've been buying brand name fuels.. True North [ Shell ], Marathon , Not Mel's or Habib's fuel, convenient store and haircare center.

caterpillar guy · Aug 7, 2023

I would say you really don't know. You just have to trust in the local supplier that you get what you paid for. Most local suppliers don't stay in business long by cheating their customers like that. Yes they can even be cheated when they get it but then most reputable ones will either make adjustments or they may offer to compensate in some way. Face it it is not in their best interest to to sell junk fuel over the long haul. I have a few suppliers around me that have been delivering to farmers here for many years and I have not heard of problems with any of them persay. Yes there is always the guy that would complain about being hung with a new rope. I have bought from 2 of them over the years with no problems and my brother buys from one of the same guys. Dad bought from them also for years and he has been here all of his life to date at 90.

paul · Aug 7, 2023

I believe the algae starts in the fuel and water line at the bottom of a tank. Most fuel ends up with a tiny tiny bit of water on the bottom of the tank.....

Killing the algae with the additive is the solution. Cleaning out the tank after is going to clean things up good then. Most fuel can be saved, only a bit of sludge and water left at the bottom to get rid of.

I would be deeply concerned about using a house water filter to flow diesel fuel through it. Im not sure anything at all is gained by that, and lots of potentially incomparable materials could go wrong....

Paul

danofarming · Aug 7, 2023

Get the Tank Empty and Clean it out completely. The Fusl that you take Out??? Filter after Filter after Filter until it is completely used up.

Black gunk in fuel storage tank

Roy Suomi

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Jim.ME

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caterpillar guy

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504

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Centerplate

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Roy Suomi

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Roy Suomi

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hd6gtom

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Roy Suomi

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caterpillar guy

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paul

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danofarming

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