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Old 02-03-2016, 07:06   #1
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Bypass fuel

I think I have an entire tank of bad fuel. So 3 questions.
1. Is there a diesel fuel test to see if you have contaminated/ bad fuel?
2. What's the easiest way to bypass the fuel tank and feed fresh fuel to the motors?
3. If it is bad fuel, how do I get the fuel out that's already in the motor?


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Old 02-03-2016, 07:23   #2
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Re: Bypass fuel

if you have racor filters and an electric pump you can make that fuel good again. beats the hell outta buying new and recycling old, which will still burn well, but may have dirt or water in it. the process is called polishing, and you can do it yourself and save over 300 usdollars.
you can also use a good additive such as bio bor and prrevent growth of algae and stuff in tank.
have fun.
ps i left san diego with 4 yr old fuel ... i didnt die. engine ran well.
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Old 02-03-2016, 07:43   #3
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Re: Bypass fuel

Best way to bypass is to disconnect the hose at the filter and connect in there, that way your filtering the new fuel, you don't want to bypass filters.
As far as removing old fuel, change filters and then bleed system at the injectors by loosening the "B" nuts and letting fuel escape as the engine is turned over, of course after you have connected to a fresh supply of fuel, all it takes is a 5 gl can

I know of no test, but old fuel just doesn't smell right. meaning it might have a varnish type of smell, not smell like Diesel.

Myself if I thought the fuel was "bad" enough so that the engine wouldn't run right, I'd get rid of it, I wouldn't try to save it.

On Zee's point, I've run 20 yr old fuel in a Backhoe, ran great.
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Old 02-03-2016, 08:00   #4
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Re: Bypass fuel

Like Zeehag said, filter it, a racor turbine filter is good, two are better.

Some people use a filter funnel at the fuel dock to keep as much water & rubbish as possible out of their main tanks.

Search for "diesel polishing" will find explanations and options.

Some people pump fuel from main tanks through a filter to a smaller "day tank" - often feeding the engine by gravity.

Obviously if your engine isn't running that needs fixing too - but no point fixing it and then feeding it more dirty fuel.

If the tank has an inspection/cleaning hatch transfer/pump fuel into barrels, clean tank manually, flush tank & pipes then filter fuel when returning it to tank.
Otherwise keep polishing, keep changing filter elements.
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Old 02-03-2016, 08:13   #5
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pirate Re: Bypass fuel

This is a common thing for me..
My trick is get a 25L fuel can, a suitable diameter/length of tubing, a rubber bulb pump (does not work according to Badsanta) and run the new tube direct to the Racor.. pump the bulb to clear the air and prime the system and away you go..
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