wax in bottom of fuel filter

[skorski]

I changed the fuel filter in the 05 and decided to empty the bowl seeing it has 90k . At the bottom of the bowl I found a half inch of what appears to be wax. Not easy to clean out. Has anyone out there noticed the same thing and is this wax? It looks and acts like bees wax. Ski

 

[skorski]

No bio fuel too expensive. always fuel at truck stops around the country.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Southern states that don't experience extreme cold temps usually don't have additives or #1 diesel blended with fuel at the refineries or terminals that trucks load from to distribute to the local stations.

A lot of trucks that travel through this area have issues with fuel gelling. Almost always someone who filled up in Texas or Arizona with untreated fuel and end up stuck here with plugged filters because temps can go to -30* or so this time of year.

Untreated #2 diesel can start to wax at 20*F

 

[EDankievitch]

If it was Biodiesel it would melt and turn back into liquid soon as you got the temp over 40 degrees. I agree with Mikey-KE7LBB and you got some un winterized fuel. I'd use a heat gun and try to warm the filter housing, just don't burn the water in fuel sensor or the water drain.

 

[steved]

If you're doing inter-state travel, keep in mind that some states and suppliers require a certain percentage of bio in all their fuels... sometimes its marked, other times not.



Could have just been a bad batch of fuel...

 

[jelag]

We have to assume that our gent from Rhode Island was checking the filter above 50* F which would rule out gelling and the results of that... once the fuel warms up, it will mix...



We always blend our fuel and don't rely on the dealer or station... . and we filter our fuel with a frame rail mounted 10 micron primary and 2 micron secondary filter system... in a million miles and several trucks we've not had a problem and I've not seen your wax time build up... .

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

I was keeping in mind the states that use B2 and I'm stumped as to why the filter stayed flowing and the wax settled on the bottom.

Keep us updated on the next filter change to see if this anomaly returns a second time.

I know that B100 gets thick and will stop flowing all together at -15F but cleared right up after topping off with some #1. I've never seen an accumulation of solid wax before, but I'm sure that it's possible.

 

[skorski]

I don't know if it is wax it appeared to be wax with no smell. I would think if it was wax from bio it would have clogged the filter. the bild up was below the bottom of the filter.

 

[skorski]

Has anyone ever drained the filter housing completely like I did? If you only remove the filter and add a new one , You probably would not notice it.

 

[rbattelle]

I always completely drain the canister and clean the bottom with a (lint free) rag. I've never found wax.

If I did find wax, I'd save it and experiment on it. First I'd warm it up and see if it turns back into fuel. Then I'd mix it with some fresh diesel and see if it dissolves.

-Ryan

 

[TCDiesel]

Their is NO law against selling Bio-Diesel in any State,Some States require it Like MN,So on the open Market whats in the Pipe or $ its sold. You May find Bio-Diesel in any State. As long as it meets the Fed or State regulations its traded.

 

[steved]

Their is NO law against selling Bio-Diesel in any State,Some States require it Like MN,So on the open Market whats in the Pipe or $ its sold. You May find Bio-Diesel in any State. As long as it meets the Fed or State regulations its traded.

While there is no law against using it, they are required to state at the pump what you are getting.

 

[TCDiesel]

While there is no law using it, they are required to state at the pump what you are getting.

Most States only Post the requirement (Fed/State Law). In MN I have never Seen a pump with the label B5,(Min reqired By Law In MN)they only state the Fed standard ULSD,I notice Pumps Label B20 and B100 In other States,The other pumps just state the Fed/State Minimum requirements if B5/B2 meets it,It can legally be sold with the buyer being totally unaware. At times I will Demand to see the Drop sheet(s).

Holiday was Posting good to -30 I demanded the to see the drop sheet, Sure enough B5 Clear #2 ( By law must be good to -17),I kindly ask them to remove the misleading labeling, they did NOT, I file a complaint with the MN Dept of Commerce,Shortly after I was contacted By the commerce Dept to verify the labeling was removed By letter,They were gone and I have NOT seen them Return. I just don't let things pass By Me,If I discover misleading statements or Advertising I give time for correction,If not I generally do something about it,Even if it requires some effort on My Part.