diesel question

[Altissimus]

My chipper is the only diesel motor I own ... this year i've had much trouble with contaminated fuel ... how often do you guys open the petcock on the tank to remove water?

 

[NeTree]

I've never done it. But I do add fuel treatment once in awhile.

 

[Altissimus]

...for years that's all I ever had to do ...

 

[Cobleskill]

Could it be leaking in the cap or a vent?

 

[Altissimus]

Absolutely the cap is original actually lacks a gasket ... that is the primary problem

 

[Rborist1]

We use Stanodyne on a regular basis, it's great stuff.

 

[emr]

We use treatment every time we fill up. We just had our chipper in for some work and they replaced our fuel filter. It was the first time in quite a while it was changed. What a difference it made. The mechanic recommends changing it out at least once a year but probably twice.

 

[Altissimus]

... the stupid part, living here in Hooterville, I can't source the simple gasket locally ... I have to drive almost to NY where a tractor supply outfit has them

 

[Altissimus]

I guess the good part is that I have had the entire system including removing the tank completely apart, serviced, and running again ... my mechanic though gifted with diesels was too busy to help so he talked me through it ...I at least learned something ... purging the air at the injector is critical

 

[NeTree]

Indeed; or you're gonna be in for some looooong cranking.

 

[SkwerI]

Perhaps your diesel source has water in their supply tank? Gas stations don't always service their filters on a regular basis as well. Might be worth a phone call to your local gas station owner to inquire about the frequency of their filter changes.

A buddy of mine for some reason prefers stopping at little hole-in-the-wall places to get his fuel. He'd rather fuel up at an old country store than a large, busy gas station on a busy road. He's constantly having fuel related issues (several times per year). I've been buying fuel at the same place for 10 years and the last fuel related issue I had was back in 2005 when gas went over $4 per gallon and the gas suppliers were dumping in 10-15% ethanol and more because the ethanol was cheaper than gas at the wholesale level.

 

[NeTree]

I agree; the better fuel will be at the high-turnaround places.

 

[sotc]

Drain it once a month, change your filters at least once a year. Saving one on the job break down will pay for it

 

[Altissimus]

All good advice ... took three tries but I have it running great now ... keeping eye on fuel system and now have extra filters