Water in Fuel. Help!

[tugboatphil]

I'm sorry this isn't Cummins related, but it could be. And it seems that this group has much smarter members than the others (Did I kiss enough a**?)



It seems that my fuel storage tank got some water in it over the winter. I was filling up the tractor and noticed a rough idle. It started smoking white and died. I pulled the fuel filter and sure enough it was water. I pulled the supply line at the tank bottom and drained until it was straight fuel. I ran the fuel pump until the water was gone at the filter housing. I'm guessing that I need to bleed all the way to the injectors. Is this correct? I've never done anything to them on my truck or tractor. Do I just loosen the nut that holds the fuel line to the top of the injector? Do I do them all at once or one at a time. Is there anything else I need to know?



Thanks!

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Phil,



Do the lines, one at a time. You may have to repeat the process a time or two so that they all clean out fully.



Water is very bad on pump internals and injectors if left.

You should also run a good healthy double dose of fuel additive too... that will help with internal pump lubrication and water left overs.



Bob.

 

[tugboatphil]

Bob,



Thanks for the help! It worked like a champ. However, my little 3 banger was so slow, and I had to crank the engine for the injector pump to work, I did all 3 at once. I just allowed a lot of time between cranks to keep the starter cool.



Naturally, I had to get right out on it. Several minutes later, some more light smoke came out and I kept the RPMs high and she cleared it out. This happened a second time and I headed for the garage. Right before I got there she had some white come through and the engine died.



Being the cheapskate I am, I figured that draining part of the fuel tank would be good enough. I only had a couple of gallons in it. I thought about draining the whole thing and putting clean in, but didn't (but I will be first thing in the morning. )



I have never done anything to my truck injectors. What is there that I can do to or for them, by taking them out? Is it possible to clean them? Is there any special equipment required?



Thanks again! Once more you come through!

 

[Futures1]

Isopropyl Alcohol

A thought... In snowmobile racing, Polaris had a product we would purchase. It contained "Isopropyl alcohol" and was used to avoid the chance of water droplets in the fuel from turning to ice and plugging up the carb. jets etc. . Several engines have been ruined as a result of not adding a few ounces of Isopropyl to each fill. The Isopropyl allows the water to blend with the fuel and run through the system... later we found that It is available at most pharmacy's at less than $1. 00 a pint. A lot less than Polaris charges for half as much !! It must be labeled "Isopropyl" !!



I would think that if a tank of fuel was near the bottom, a person could add some fuel and Isopropyl, "stir (perhaps with air) and then syphon" thus removing most of the remaining water. A few more ounces and a little more fuel would probably flush out the rest of the system with a few minutes of running ??



This will not work with a lot of water. . I assume that you have pulled and changed/cleaned the filter )



Try it in a glass jar to see the effect it has on fuel and water !!

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Guys,



No offense meant here, but DO NOT USE ISOPROPYL !!!!

Under no circumstances,,,, please... ...

I think I have this part right, if not then I apologize... but, you do not want the water to be broken down and absorbed/burned... . you want the water to "precipitate OUT" so it can be picked up by a water trap or filter. Isopropyl results in the water being burned.





There are specific diesel additives that can help with water, but not when there is large amounts of it. You can use Stanadyne Formula, Howes Meaner Power Cleaner, Lubricating Engineers additive, and a number of other candidates to help out.



If you have any doubts about water remaining, bite the bullet and drain the entire tank, get any gaskets you may need for reintalling the pickup/sender, flush it well and go from there... .



You should use a new filter, if necessary half fill the filter with additive and half with diesel so it has a head start on priming.



You can't really do much to injectors even if you take them out.

If you do pull them, then take them to a shop, have them test for pop-off pressure and spray pattern. While you're there, they can calibrate them and you're good to go.



Just so you know, if you pull the nozzles and have them overhauled then put back in with new washers etc, you should see white puffs of smoke out the tail pipe when there is fuel reaching the injectors.

Since you're going to drain alot of fuel out of the system, it will take some time to reprime the entire system with fuel. You'll know that you're getting close when you see the puffing... .

You did right going easy on the starter, they heat up fast and can burn out. Crank for 30 seconds, cool for 3-4 minutes,, if you repeat more than 4-5 times, then wait a good 5 minutes between cranking, and have a battery charger ready to go on standby so you can hook it to the battery while you're waiting... those starters are battery monsters...



bob.

 

[JStoll]

another thing on watter in fuel

if you live in cold climates keep your takk fuller in the winter this leaves less surface area in the tank for watter to condence on producing less watter

jak

 

[tugboatphil]

Thanks again for all the input. Again, this wasn't my truck but a small tractor (33 hp). It was laziness on my part to not drain the whole tank anyway. It has a gravity feed off the bootom of the tank. I had pulled the hose and let it drain slowly, thinking I had all the water, but apparently not. I'm draining it right now and will air dry the tank. I'll blow the line up to the filter housing with lp air. The filter was due for a change, but I can't get that until tomorrow anyway.



I've learned a lot from this. The fuel system, while more complex than a gasser, isn't so bad that it should scare me anymore. When I adjusted my fuel screw last fall, I thought I was in over my head. I thought I'd never have it running right again. But through the use of this group, and the combined experience and knowledge of the members, just about anything can be remedied.



Thanks again to all you 1st Genners!