Now This is Algae!

Topic: Now This is Algae! (Read 1652 times) previous topic - next topic

Now This is Algae!

January 19, 2018, 10:26:04 am

I was calling the new diesel fuel cleaning service in Nac as doing, "Diesel Polishing" and Davis and Jimmy told me I should call it "diesel cleaning". It gives one unaware of the process the wrong image to say polishing. Gotta think that might. Anyway,

When I had ours done, there was some water collected and some algae could be seen living in the interface between the fuel and the water layers. Plus a light green tint was on the filter, showing a little was pushed into the filter fabric.

I just got this photo of algae removed in one recent "fuel cleaning". I was told the algae felt like wet turnip greens or such and there was no water layer collected or shown in the water separator. I hear frequently that the algae has to have water to live....and if true, I am guessing that in this case with no visible water layer, there is water entrained or absorbed enough in the algae itself to let it really thrive.

Glad I got mine cleaned and did not have this mess. The operator is collecting the history of each owners biocide practice.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #1 – January 19, 2018, 10:33:38 am

Mike,

Interesting. Throughout the marine world it is called "fuel polishing". But, no problem calling it "diesel cleaning" if they prefer.

Fuel polishing - Wikipedia

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #2 – January 19, 2018, 10:34:47 am

What is the business name and location. Thank you

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #3 – January 19, 2018, 10:43:46 am

The algae comes from service stations that don't have proper tank maintenance and filters. It may not show water in your tank as just the algae came through the nozzle. Our cheap diesel with low road tax does not pay for the frequent inspections in countries with higher fuel tax get.

Above ground tanks are a major source as daily temperature fluctuations allow moist air to bring the necessary water into the tank.

Pierce

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #4 – January 19, 2018, 11:26:28 am

I had mine done, and I'm very glad I did. I've decided to add it to the annual major service. I of course will continue using a fuel stabilizer and biocide like the previous owners obviously did. My tank and fuel were some of the cleanest he had seen! Tracking fuel stations between polishing could help pinpoint problem stations. As a history teacher, the records are wildly important to me!

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #5 – January 19, 2018, 12:03:59 pm

Recently, while in Nac on another issue, we had our Fuel Polished/Cleaned as well, by the same Fuel Polishing/Cleaning service as Mike. We were having no known fuel issues, but after seeing some "crud" in the Winn Filter Screen, we opted to have the Fuel Polished/Cleaned. All the "crud" seemed to be dead and crumbly. We spend a lot of time in Florida, always parked with a full fuel tank and have been using a Biocide for 18 months or so.
Amazon.com : Biobor JF - Diesel Fuel Biocide - 16 oz : Automotive Diesel...
Attached a couple of pics of results and the process.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #6 – January 19, 2018, 12:56:38 pm

Mike, this is new news that someone in doing Fuel Cleaning. Please tell us much more:
How long did it take?
Does the fuel get pumped into a new container after cleaning & then pumped back into our tank? Or is it pumped from bottom of tank and put back into top of tank?
How much did it cost?
How do you see the contaminates pulled out of the fuel? I found this info:

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #7 – January 19, 2018, 01:07:00 pm

Dave & Nancy, I now see one hose going into the tank filler and the other hose going under your coach. Does the under hose go to the other side's filler? And since the hose diameter takes up the whole filler opening where would the return hose go if there was just one filler on a tank?

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #8 – January 19, 2018, 01:35:09 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – January 19, 2018, 01:07:00 pm

Dave & Nancy, I now see one hose going into the tank filler and the other hose going under your coach. Does the under hose go to the other side's filler? And since the hose diameter takes up the whole filler opening where would the return hose go if there was just one filler on a tank?

Howdy BnC,
On our coach with two fillers, the Polisher/Cleaner System intakes from one side (curb side), filters, water separates and then returns fuel to Driver Side filler. Took about an hour, IRC the pump is around 20gpm, I had around 125 gallons on board, so, in theory, around 10 passes through filter/water separator. I'm not sure what the process would be if only one filler.
I think this will something I do every two years or so, more if crud appears in the Winn Filter Strainer.
Dave A

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #9 – January 19, 2018, 02:32:12 pm

Risch, 936/462-3764

It is portable system, takes an hour plus a bit of set up time.

He bought system in NC and Jackie and I first coach he did after one trial run. Prior report of that is on Forum but now he has done quite a few and beginning to see data on algae formation versus other factors....

We did it for peace of mind and to see a baseline for us. Cost so minor to our normal coach expense!

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #10 – January 19, 2018, 06:20:06 pm

What's the approx. price for the service?

We may be back in Nac area this coming summer or early fall.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #11 – January 19, 2018, 09:58:09 pm

Dave and Nancy the Winn systems are notoriously troublesome. Vacuum leaks abound. Sure recommend changing it out under calm conditions. J.B. Hunt fleet mechanic now at Cummins in Los Angeles by passed mine to up the powe on the Dyno.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #12 – January 22, 2018, 03:13:03 pm

Dan, price is $150.

mike

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #13 – January 23, 2018, 01:36:13 pm

Now you have clean fuel when all finished and you put it right back into the nice dirty tank it just came from ---? Might this be the time to flush out the tank first . ?? Never encountered a fuel problem dealing with algae but just thinking about it brought this up .

Brad Metzger

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #14 – January 23, 2018, 01:38:46 pm

Actually, with the flow rate and turbulence it causes, it pretty well "polishes" the inside of the tank.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #15 – January 25, 2018, 01:30:00 pm

Did you do this through MOT or FT?

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #16 – January 25, 2018, 07:22:50 pm

Quote from: Realmccoy – January 25, 2018, 01:30:00 pm

Did you do this through MOT or FT?

It's an independent. See reply #9 for contact info.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #17 – January 30, 2018, 07:14:26 am

Yesterday Beau Reece saw a little algae in our fuel filler neck. Although we are using a biocide perhaps the PO didn't. I'm going to see if Keith can polish our fuel while we're here in Nac.

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #18 – January 30, 2018, 12:16:44 pm

Still pondering the "fuel polishing",if the process does'nt clean the walls of your tank then the "polishing" is the same thing your
fuel filter does!

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #19 – January 30, 2018, 12:26:32 pm

algae on walls and if you have used biocide - dead algae laying on floor of tank

polishing more rigorous than your filters, but same process. I had to have fuel polishing firm remove my tank, cut two 6" access holes in top of tank, and then clean entire tank to get rid of dead algae from years ago event that would not cause problems with generator and cummins but were giving my aqua hot fits.

all's well that ends well.

always stored with full tank. but bought bad fuel once full of algae. killed it, replaced numerous filters, had fuel polished. thought it was fixed for good

years later had fuel lines replaced. they took out tank at Bernds to do it, and it must have stirred up the dead algae in the bottom of tank. thats when my problams began. fixed with tank removal and cleaning and putting back in coach.

Use biocide every fill up now. Cheap insurance. Been there done that....didnt like how the story turned out the first time

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Now This is Algae!

Reply #20 – January 30, 2018, 01:57:27 pm

Was in the boat business 27 years worth , and had to deal with some really dirty fuel tanks . Have seen algae heavy coated stuck to the insides of tanks . We removed all fuel , opened the top of the tanks , stuck the steam jenny nozzle in and do it's thing . Sucked out with shop vacuum cleaner .Filled tank with fresh fuel and used the old fuel to heat the shop . This didn't take much time and don't think polishing fuel would get it done as effectively . But---different strokes .

Brad Metzger

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