Fuel filter

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Dec 2, 2007 | 03:04 PM

SPEC

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From: Georgia

Fuel filter

changed for the first time ( 2006 F250 ) 13,000 MILES.
The fuel filter had slime hanging on the service of the media.

WHat you think that was about?

Dec 2, 2007 | 03:16 PM

bismic

Fleet Owner

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Not uncommon. Diesel fuel will get old and grow bacteria. Use a fuel additive every tank and this will not be a problem.

Advantages of a fuel additive:

demulsifies water (be sure and NOT use an emulsifier or one with alcohol)

prevents bacteria growth

cleans fuel system (removes varnish and other deposits)

increases lubricity

prevents gelling in cold weather (reduces the pour point)

increases cetane level

stabilizes fuel

protects against corrosion

reduces smoke emissions (helpful to EGR systems).

The problem with the slime is that it can cause pressure drop through the filter.

I assume you changed BOTH filters?

Dec 2, 2007 | 03:19 PM

SPEC

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From: Georgia

Yea both filters, and I use Soyshield .

Dec 2, 2007 | 03:34 PM

bismic

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I believe SoyShield is a water EMULSIFIER. Also, I do not believe it claims to prevent bacterial growth. Just going off of memory, you might check into it.

Dec 2, 2007 | 05:17 PM

bigredtruckmi

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From: Huntington Indiana

I just looked and according to the web site I found. It controls bacteria. So I'm wondering if there was not enough used or there was a lot of bacteria in the tank when you first put it in.

Dec 2, 2007 | 06:00 PM

bismic

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Bigred -

Thanks for looking up the info on SoyShield - I was in a hurry and didn't have time. Anyway, I just now looked it up at the link below and found this list:

http://www.schaefferoil.com/premium_soy_shield.html

Premium SoyShield is a concentrated multi-functional premium diesel fuel additive that is specially formulated for use in all types of diesel fuel, especially low sulfur and ultra low sulfur diesel fuels. Once added to the diesel fuel at the recommended treatment ration Premium SoyShield will upgrade the #2 diesel to premium B2 biodiesel fuel.

It contains a unique blend of methyl soyate bio-diesel derived from soybean oil and a highly concentrated multi-functional additive package that provide the following performance benefits:

Supports the use of a renewable farmer-supplied fuel source.
Boosts the fuel’s cetane rating up to 3 to 4 points.
Faster warm-up.
Reduced misfiring at lower air inlet temperatures.
Superior Cummins L-10 Injector Depositing Test and Cummins N-14 Injector Corrosion Test Performance.
Detergency to provide cleanliness throughout the entire fuel system.
Clean up and Keep clean performance for the entire fuel system.
Improved combustion of the fuel by completely vaporizing the fuel into smaller particles, thus providing better fuel economy and preventing a significant loss in engine power.
Increased fuel economy up to 5% – 7%.
Up to 5% improvement in Horsepower.
Dispersion of insoluble gums and varnish present in low quality fuels.
Modification of existing injector deposits, allowing for their removal and safe passage into the combustion chamber where they can be burned.
Reduced emissions, exhaust smoke and particulates.
A reduction in black smoke.
Increased fuel lubricity. (Soy based bio-diesel has 3 times the lubricity of diesel fuel).
Excellent anti-wear protection for the injectors and the fuel pump especially for those engines burning low sulfur and ultra low sulfur diesel fuels.
Lubrication of the upper cylinders, fuel pumps and injectors.
Supplemental ring and valve-train anti-wear protection.
Increased thermal stability to the diesel fuel in order to provide the ability to resist thermal degradation.
Inhibition of oxidation during storage.
Extended storage stability.
Helps control the acidic by-products produced by the combustion of diesel fuel.
Rust and corrosion protection to the entire fuel system.
Dispersion of water present in diesel fuel in order to prevent fuel icing and other problems associated with water.
Prevention of the formation of stable fuel-water emulsions.
Allows moisture to be rapidly separated from the fuel.
Allows the diesel fuel to meet the NCWM’s Premium Diesel Fuel Specifications.
Helps control the conditions that lead to foul smelling fuel, stringiness and plugged filters.

I didn't see the bacterial control, but it did say it stabilized the fuel - which most likely includes bacterial growth. Where did you specifically see the bacterial control?

Anyway, #24 above, water dispersion, is (I believe) what not to get when the manual says to ONLY get a "water demulsifier". If I am interpretting this wrong, please - someone chime in. What is confusing is #26 that states easy water separation (implies demulsifies) even though #24 says disperses (implies emulsify).

Last edited by bismic; Dec 2, 2007 at 06:56 PM.