Bad Fuel

[rbigwheels]

I got a batch of bad fuel in my Motorhome. The water separator filter clogged up. Had both fuel filters replaced. 500 mi later I had to have them replaced again. 25 mi later I noticed more junk in the clear bowl @ the bottom of the water separator filter. What can I do to get rid of this problem?

[RV Wizard]

Pump the tank out and refill with fresh clean fuel. Change the filters at least once more. One reason I only buy fuel at truck stops. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Dave Fernandez]

Sorry to hear about the contaminated Load of Fuel. Inquiring Minds would like to know if you notified the station where the fuel came from. If you did they do anything for you or did they just keep selling contaminated fuel. Could you also let the inquiring minds know where this station is so we can avoid any fuel purchases at that location.


Thanks.

[anewtoi]

My experience: I don't know the name but it is a yellow station(not shell) right outside the casino rv park in vicksburg ms that I had problem with. I got filters and oil changed at a truck luck shop in Dallas and everything was fine. Drove 5 or 6 hours till dark and decided to gamble and stay at the rv park over night. Next morning, fueled up right outside and within minutes of getting back on the road, I started stalling. At about 60 mph it would seem to die but still had electrical. No response from pedal. Then when rpm drop to around 1500 it would kick back in. Did that about 10 times over the next 5-10 miles to the next exit then it stopped. Then didnt do it anymore the next 600 miles home. I'll look them up later and report back

[PanJH]

If you took on a full load, look into a fuel polishing service.... usually around marina's or also service large backup generators in buildings.

[Clayobx]

Originally Posted by PanJH

If you took on a full load, look into a fuel polishing service.... usually around marina's or also service large backup generators in buildings.

X2....had this service on my diesel for my boat many years ago. Quick, easy, saved the fuel and went on my way!
P.S. also gets all the contaminants from the tank walls etc!

[rsha]

For a boat with several hundreds of gallons it is worth the money. For a MH with 150-200 gallons it might be more cost effective to build your own polishing unit. They are not complicated to build. A electric fuel pump and a dewatering filter. You may even be able to use your installed pump and filter and just put in a return to the tank. We pump one on a friends av fuel tank to keep it clean and dry. Worked fine

[jollyjim]

This is liable to continue to happen until you kill the algae that is probably in your tank and fuel. To do this you will need to buy an special product called a biocide that is just for this purpose. We had this happen to us. We got bad fuel and it plugged our fuel filters. After using the biocide and a couple of filter changes we had no more problems. Always buy our fuel at a heavily used truck stop now. Good Luck.

[RV Wizard]

Diesel Fuel Filtration - Diesel Fuel Conditioning | ALGAE-X International | fuel additives

[Airstreamer6]

I now carry a gallon-size glass jar in my rig.

When refilling my diesel tank, I first put a half gallon or so of fuel into that jar.
If the fuel sample looks OK, I go ahead and fill up the tank and be on my way.

However, if this fuel sample is discolored, filled with debris, has a water bubble at the bottom of the jar, or otherwise looks or smells funny, the pump's hose is returned to its holder and I pay for the $2 worth of suspect fuel for discarding later. I then move on down the road to find uncontaminated fuel, using a backup glass sample jar to make sure I haven't picked yet another bad station.

Even if the fuel looks OK and I finish filling up my tank, I still keep the sample. If I were to later have problems with my engine before the next time I need to refill, I'll look at the sample to see if any contamination showed up to cause my problem. If so, I know exactly who to blame.

This procedure may be overkill, but it only takes a minute or two and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. Downloading a hundred gallons of contaminated fuel can ruin my day, or more likely my week, not to mention the expense of getting things right.

[JohnBoyToo]

If it's not in an approved container, you are breaking a few laws
but good prevent defense !!!!

but to the op, surprised if this doesn't cause injector problems too....

MY ONE instaance was 2 years ago and cost $4800 for pumping out, filters, injectors, etc....

I claimed it on my insurance @ my agents suggestion....

Now I keep EVERY receipt for a week or two and only fill up at high level pumping stations... no mom and pops for me anymore....

[Craig_R]

Originally Posted by Airstreamer6

I now carry a gallon-size glass jar in my rig.

When refilling my diesel tank, I first put a half gallon or so of fuel into that jar.
If the fuel sample looks OK, I go ahead and fill up the tank and be on my way.

However, if this fuel sample is discolored, filled with debris, has a water bubble at the bottom of the jar, or otherwise looks or smells funny, the pump's hose is returned to its holder and I pay for the $2 worth of suspect fuel for discarding later. I then move on down the road to find uncontaminated fuel, using a backup glass sample jar to make sure I haven't picked yet another bad station.

Even if the fuel looks OK and I finish filling up my tank, I still keep the sample. If I were to later have problems with my engine before the next time I need to refill, I'll look at the sample to see if any contamination showed up to cause my problem. If so, I know exactly who to blame.

This procedure may be overkill, but it only takes a minute or two and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. Downloading a hundred gallons of contaminated fuel can ruin my day, or more likely my week, not to mention the expense of getting things right.

Just out of curiosity, how many times have you received contaminated fuel?

[JohnBoyToo]

having been through it - ONCE is more than enough