I changed my fuel filter the other morning and noticed that the filter was a browish color with some sort of goo on it (almost like mud). The fuel left in the bowl also had a brownish tint to it. When my dad changes his, the fuel is nearly clear and the filter is nowhere near as dark.

Someone said that there may be bacteria growing in the fuel tank. Does that sound right? What brand of DFA would you recommend? The diesel kleen at WalMart said it prevents bacterial growth, but nothing about stoping and eliminating it.

Thanks in advance.

Trevor

 

These folks carry a product by Racor that takes care of that(click on "fuel System" in left menu:

http://www.dieselmanor.com/fuel_sys.asp

 

could be bacteria.

 

Do you have a metal tank? Possibly rust?

 

How long ago last water drain?
How many miles on that filter?
How many on your dad's?

Your answer might be right there....

 

around 500 miles
Bought the truck at 95k, said they changed all the filters (had the oem cap though)
10k miles

I did notice that the truck ran better for a few days, but now its back to what it was before the filter. There doesnt seem to be as much go as before, and if I push it, there seems to be a knock or pinging sound. Oh, the mileage jumped up 1.5 mpg on this tank. It'll be two weeks until I can see if it went back up or down.

 

I never thought of checking. Did 2001 crew cabs come with metal tanks? Gotta go out and take a look now.....

 

I wouldn't rule out rust or bacteria.
Still wouldn't rule out water.
Put a hose on the fuel dump and get a helper to pull the drain while you hold a clear container under the discharge.
Keep going until you get clean fuel.
If you run out, turn on the key and charge the bowl again.

 

01 has a plastic tank.

You might want to hotwire the pump so that it will run continously....if the filters loading up that fast you might have to drain it to get all the crap out of it....in fact, it would probably be easier to just drop the tank and clean it out by hand.

 

Well, DieselManor has an in-tank and pre-pump kit which I've been considering, so maybe its time to get that. Plus I can take care of the hutch mod too. Three jobs in one. Any opinions on the System 1 75 micron filter they sell? They recommend it with the kit, but its $109. Is it worth the price? Comes with a washable stainless steel filter.

 

The in-tank, pre-pump and hutch mod are all the same thing.

A pre-pump filter is a worthwhile investment IMO, no experience with the one you mentioned.

I would go ahead and purchase some biocide and treat the tank for the first several tanks after the mods are done....don't want that crap coming back. The Power Service will work fine for that.

 

Is this algae something more common in the warm moist southern climates?

 

one quick question, i dont want to start a new thread, but if i dont get alot of responses but i will if i need to.

i am getting the dieselmanor intank mods/etc soon, and i have almost no fuel in my tank, for this mod. i let it run down so i can drop the tank. i was thinking in class today, it might be easier to lift the bed up and out of the way. i have a skidloader capable and it wouldnt be hard. just those few bolts on the framerail...what about the taillight wires? unplug? i like on our dump truck, there is plenty of room. i might undercoat the rear of the frame while i was at it. sound good?

 

Yep...good idea. Bed comes off easy if you have a way to lift it. Won't have to drain the tank that way.

 

It's more of a problem in cool, moist climates. The Germans have a heck of a time with it.