Diesel Pump and Water Damage

[topkeg]

I’m really getting tired of spending $1000 to get my diesel pump rebuilt on the 560 due to water in the fuel damage! I don’t use the tractor every day but typically once or twice a month. My rebuild guy basically says todays diesel fuel sucks, especially if your not running every day. Any tips or fuel additives anyone is finding to help!

 

[rustred]

I’m really getting tired of spending $1000 to get my diesel pump rebuilt on the 560 due to water in the fuel damage! I don’t use the tractor every day but typically once or twice a month. My rebuild guy basically says todays diesel fuel sucks, especially if your not running every day. Any tips or fuel additives anyone is finding to help!

He is blowing smoke ! How many times has he done this pump ? Maybe he likes your business !
And last what part of the country u at ? I like to keep a tomatoe can over my tank cap as I have had rain get into the tank from the cap breather. BUT you will see water in the sediment bowel , then it has to go through 2 filters before entering the pump. So I am not understanding something here , firstly poor maintenance . Diesel needs no additives basically , but using 2 cycle oil in the tank is fine. Some of the additives are really dry so using more than they specify is no good either.

 

[wore out]

I’m really getting tired of spending $1000 to get my diesel pump rebuilt on the 560 due to water in the fuel damage! I don’t use the tractor every day but typically once or twice a month. My rebuild guy basically says todays diesel fuel sucks, especially if your not running every day. Any tips or fuel additives anyone is finding to help!

 

[used red MN]

Do you keep an eye on the glass sediment bowl under the fuel tank? If water never shows up in there you really should not get water in the pump. If that’s full of water then it should still get knocked out in the twin fuel filters. Otherwise you fuel supply/storage or transfer setup has a water infiltration problem somewhere.

 

[caterpillar guy]

We put in drains to the bottom of our storage tanks, and about once a year we loosen those plugs and let any water from condensation or otherwise out . We also keep fuel on hand in tanks so less chance of fuel problems, than getting fuel in cans in town and pouring into equipment. Buying fuel in cans, and doing transfer pouring all the time is a recipe for dirt water and other problems. Since you are probably buying where ever is cheapest at the time. You should not be getting water or other debris in your fuel. I would take a look in my cans or tank depending on how you handle your fuel. Don't pump fuel right away after delivery.Let it set a day if you can this will help with any debris in your storage tank. If in cans check them for water or debris in them. Remember cans will collect moisture especially if setting around in the back of your pickup empty drain before filling. As for the tractor tank look inside and see what you have for debris in there also. Might even drain the tank and wash it out then refill with new clean fuel. We have engines that set from spring till fall and then again from fall til spring with no problems of water or pump issues. Only ever replaced 1 pump in 70or so years of running diesels. with the oldest being the D-4 Cat which is a 1930's model. We also have about 10-15 diesel engines around here. Some newer and most older. I think I would also consider using a different pump guy might not be the pump so much as he likes your business or is not using the best quality parts in your pump. Several people get pump work here by dieseltech and he will probably be along with suggestions for you on your problem better than most of us can tell you other than what has already been said.

 

[Dieseltech]

If the water is from condensation while setting, best thing you can do i keep the fuel tank FULL, as a FULL tank won't SWEAT like an empty tank will. Both gas and diesel tractor tanks are PRONE to have this happed. If you want to eliminate this problem, get an LP gas tractor, sealed tanks under pressure won't get water in fuel like vented gas and diesel tanks do. Unless the pump is completely wrecked, most pumps like the 560 have, I seldom see the cost ever go over 500 on the ones I see in for repair. All depends on what is damaged inside.

 

[topkeg]

Thank you all for your input. I'm located in south-central Texas and the tractor is under cover. Very rare to get wet. As far as pricing for repairs go, it must be different in other parts of the country. I've used or gotten quotes from highly recommended shops in south Texas and prices range from $1000 to $1750.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Have you considered shipping the pump to other places like to Dieseltech or even some other pump shop. I was always told there were no parts for the RD pump for the D-361 engine. Well I found Spencer diesel in Spencer IA has parts and rebuilt pumps available. So I went that route just because they had that option for me. Nothing against anybody else just they had the parts or a reman pump. My choice. I changed out the pump.It was expensive but felt that there were other issues with the pump that would warrant the new reman pump over just having parts put in. One was the turn around time. And the cost would have been close to the same on it. Just the scenario for this time. Only pump we have ever had to change in all the years of diesel engines around this place.

 

[used red MN]

Thank you all for your input. I'm located in south-central Texas and the tractor is under cover. Very rare to get wet. As far as pricing for repairs go, it must be different in other parts of the country. I've used or gotten quotes from highly recommended shops in south Texas and prices range from $1000 to $1750.

No answer on monitoring for water to appear in the sediment bowl. I am sure you have heard the age old adage, “maintaining the machine is the best way to prevent damage”

 

[rustred]

No answer on monitoring for water to appear in the sediment bowl. I am sure you have heard the age old adage, “maintaining the machine is the best way to prevent damage”

We are getting weird info. First it was water In the diesel, now it’s tractor stays undercover. So is someone pouring water in the tank ? Them sediment bowls are big, and probably hold a pint so that’s a lot of water and very very easy to see when u walk past the tractor. Unless it dont get cleaned and is all black from dirt. ? It’s called preventative maintenance.

 

[560Dennis]

our 560 sits around a lot , fuel tank has between 1/4 and 3/4 on the gauge. We had the tractor since 1977 .
I haven’t noticed that much water cleaning sediment boil. Two weeks ago clean out bowl and used carb cleaner to clean glass bowl . Ithink there was a smidge of water in it. Less than anticipated.
was more concerned about the small rusty sludge . So need to change filters and see what’s goining on . We try to use concentrate of stanadye blue label. .
I had heritage redo pump ten years ago the pump had a leak at the frontside I could not fix, it.
my experience with water recently