Fuel fungus in 530 tank

[jon f mn]

Been having issues with the 530 fuel tank plugging the fuel line so I took the tank off to clean it. This was inside.

I took a couple cups worth of this stuff out. I too the fuel sender out so I could get in with the pressure washer and flushed it out at least 30 times til it ran clean. Then I treated the tank and my fuel tank with biocide. Hopefully that will cure my issues.

 

[Tgrasher]

I've found red crud but never black, thanks for sharing.

 

[jon f mn]

I've found red crud but never black, thanks for sharing.

Red is settled out dye from dyed fuel. Had that in my 830.

 

[Brokerthanu]

It looks like asphaltenes. It happens with bio diesel and moisture. The only thing I found that would dissolve it was E85 fuel.

 

[Ray,IN]

It looks like asphaltenes. It happens with bio diesel and moisture. The only thing I found that would dissolve it was E85 fuel.

I agree; this explains: https://criticalfueltech.com/faq.html

 

[JIM MN]

You have been using a bio-diesel with no biocide, that has been sitting in the tractors fuel tank. Its been drawing moisture, growing, forming as Brokerthranu said, looks like asphalteness? You need to use a biocide, in the supply tank and your tractors fuel tank! You can not let bio-diesel sit untreated! This is what happens..

 

[Wrangler1973]

Is this the same for gas? I've had that issue with my tractor tanks I've bought. I thought maybe it was from tank liner dissolving. I do remember that sludge coming from a 400 diesel of the family I was helping sell their dad's "treasures".

Gene

 

[DanielW]

It's not only biodiesel that can have the algae growth. It'll grow in any regular diesel too. It grows more rapidly in modern diesel since they took out the sulphur (the heavy metal content would help kill it), and even more in biodiesel. But it can grow to some degree in any diesel if given time and the right conditions. Especially in moist environments. It's been a noted problem in marine diesels for many decades, but only recently becoming more prevalent in other equipment now that the sulphur content is reduced and bio content is increased. As mentioned above, you need to use a biocide. Other fuel additives may be good for other things, but do nothing to kill the algae. It's a proper nightmare to clean, and can get really expensive if it makes its way to the injection pump. Biocide is expensive, but a lot less expensive than having to strip and clean an entire fuel system. I won't let any diesel sit even a few months any more with out a dose of biocide. Also as mentioned above, something with a high alcohol content works best to clean it: Methyl hydrate, E85, etc.

The algae doesn't grow in gas, but similar circumstances are not uncommon. Every week on here someone has a fuel delivery or 'dies after running a few minutes' post, usually from some kind of gunkulence in the fuel. Could be the algae if it's a diesel. But even the old gassers we talk about on this site are all getting to the age where they have a pile of gunk/rust inside the tank, and the cleansing additives and alcohol content in modern fuels starts to strip it off, causing it to bung up the works. Or could also be a dissolving liner. Certainly not uncommon, and a nightmare to clean. Usually caused by improper prep work when the liner went in.