What's in my fuel tank?

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member
Location
Twin Cities
I put this tractor away about 7 years ago but am starting to revive it and finish some things I didn't do then.
Project I never finished.
Half a tank of diesel fuel.
Bottom of the tank has about 1/2 in of what looks like molasses in it. A little more sticky and gooey than molasses tho.
Upper layer looks clean, useable. Smells normal. No rust in the tank at all.
I will wash the tank out with gas and then probably lacquer thinner but wondering what caused it to make molasses in the first place.
 
Fuel does funny things when left sit for a long time (7 years).

What kind of additives were dumped in, was it air tight, or had just a tad bit of ventilation through a vent. Things like that all play a factor in whether it turns into tar, or just disappears.
 
While it is called diesel algae it is really a microscopic bug.
It grows in the layer between the water in the bottom of the tank and the diesel.
You will never get rid of it by washing out the tank.
It gets imbedded into the pours of the tank.
Clean the tank out as best as you can.
Then put some new diesel in and add a biocide additive following directions for a shock treatment.
As it kills any algae in the tank the filters will catch it.
You might need to change the filters a couple of times as they get clogged up.
 
The dreaded black algae... The biocide will need to be used several times to finally kill it... It can even get into the hydraulic systems and grow there as well. When draining, dont cross contaminate your containers and spread it to other tractors...Its like the bird flu, but for tractors...
 
Thanks fellas.
Had never seen it before. The pump was also leaking badly and it ate my nice paint off the side of the engine. I'm sending the pump and injectors out for testing/resealing/repair. $Ouch$
The tractor is a Ford 3 cylinder 4000.
201 ci with CAV rotary pump.
 
Once you clean the goo, you might try using 'Bio-Bor' in your fuel to fight off future algae growths. A little goes a long way (1 oz./40 gallons) and you add it to your bulk fuel storage just before refilling. Seems the heated fuel returning to your tractor's tank from the injectors along with any bio additives in the fuel makes a nice environment for the little algae critters to thrive in, and this stuff knocks 'em dead.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top