Cleaning Diesel?

[2YardOfLard]

Are biocides only good for prevention or can I clean up old diesel & use it safely? Does filtering get rid of everything?
We've problems getting fuel delivery to the back of beyond just now. We've got an old plastic tank that has sludgy white diesel in. Wondering if I can clean it up well enough to use or whether that would just risk adding a knackered engine to my difficulties! ?

 

[defender]

If you have a good filter it should be fine , you could always syphon the best of it leaving the worst of the sludge in the bottom

 

[neilo]

I had ‘diesel bug’ in my sprayer’s diesel tank, which is only filled about twice a year. I drained the tank, flushed it as best I could, changed the filter and refilled with fresh diesel. The new filter blocked again after a couple of days.
I put some ‘Anti-bug’ (biocide) in the tank, filled it and left it for 48 hours and it’s been as right as rain since. The biocide certainly looks to have done a job in this case.

Whether it would treat a barrel of ‘sludgy white diesel’ would likely depend on why it was sludgy. Personally, I don’t think I’d want to risk putting it in an engine to find out.

Less risky taking some drums to the garage (or a friendly neighbour) I’d have thought, even if it meant paying through the nose for derv to tide you over.

 

[2YardOfLard]

Less risky taking some drums to the garage (or a friendly neighbour) I’d have thought, even if it meant paying through the nose for derv to tide you over.

If there was a garage I wouldn't be asking! Thanks though, point taken.

 

[neilo]

If there was a garage I wouldn't be asking! Thanks though, point taken.

Friendly neighbour who would like some cash?

 

[GeorgeK]

If the whole lot is sludgy or no longer clear I wouldn't risk it. Usually the sludge, water and dirt sinks to the bottom and the decent bit can be decanted off the top, no fuel treatment needed. Then it goes in the digger because it's an old mechanical injection Cummins so runs on anything that will flow through the fuel pipes

 

[Still Farming]

UV systems also available to treat

 

[2YardOfLard]

I

If the whole lot is sludgy or no longer clear I wouldn't risk it. Usually the sludge, water and dirt sinks to the bottom and the decent bit can be decanted off the top, no fuel treatment needed. Then it goes in the digger because it's an old mechanical injection Cummins so runs on anything that will flow through the fuel pipes

It's clear with "frogspawn" . It was floating but I'd disturbed it dipping the tank to see how much's left in it. From what everyone's saying sounds like I should use it in the MF35 & try to source some new stuff for other uses?!

 

[GeorgeK]

It's clear with "frogspawn" . It was floating but I'd disturbed it dipping the tank to see how much's left in it. From what everyone's saying sounds like I should use it in the MF35 & try to source some new stuff for other uses?!

Yes, filter off the frog spawn and into the MF, don't let the tractor sit for too long with that stuff in the tank though, regular use will stop sludge forming. A new tractor would break down just driving past the tank from what you're describing!

 

[Courier]

Have a look at Diesel Fuel Polishing to get the basic idea ....

Fuel Polishing Systems - Diesel Defence

Reduce Fuel Contamination & Keep Fuel Clean With Diesel Defense From IPU, A Fuel Polishing System That Provides Long Term Protection For Stored Diesel.

www.ipu.co.uk

 

[milkloss]

You can get these magic funnels that remove water etc.., don't know if they'd be any good though.,, probably block after half a gallon.

 

[Nick.]

You can get these magic funnels that remove water etc.., don't know if they'd be any good though.,, probably block after half a gallon.

I ran a few hundred litres of Water contaminated diesel through one once.
It did the trick. But the fuel only went in the old nail. I wouldn’t risk it in anything modern.
It was a through the fine and filter away afterwards job. No cleaning it out.