Cloudy diesel...

[RobBadgie]

My diesel seems to have become a little cloudy recently. (In the picture the dark stuff is just marks on the plastic.) I always use fuel treatment. Does anyone have thoughts on what has happened and what to do?

On a related issue, since I've had the boat I've just used the separator (without a filter fitted) and the secondary filter. Now I've stumbled across a diesel filter in a box (like the one shown in the second picture) but have never had one fitted. I'm starting to suspect I've been very lucky to avoid trouble for the last 5 years....

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[savageseadog]

The only time I've come across cloudy diesel it was deadly. It clogged filters regularly to the point of stopping the engine. I've no idea whether it's the same issue, I've no idea what was clouding the diesel I had, it might have been wax? I would suggest that if the cloudiness filters out then it will block the filter eventually. Choices would be to ditch the diesel, clean the tank or filter it. Fuel polishing is available as a service.

 

[lpdsn]

Possibly the cloudiness is water. What happens when it is left to settle out?

Definitely worth fitting a primary filter - I'm considering fitting a second with a switchover.

Quite easy to build you own fuel polisher - I'm assuming you don't own a large gin palace with 2,000 litres in the tank. I did it with a 12V diesel pump, some motorbike in-line filters and some fuel hose. Just polish by transferring through the filter from the tank to clean, dry cans. Clean the tank if necessary and transfer back through the filter.

 

[RichardS]

If the separator takes a filter then I would definitely use one. I'm not sure what the cloudiness might be .... possibly a little water in the diesel which won't do any harm but you might see if you can get a fine filter for the separator, say 2 microns, just to be on the safe side in the short term.

You can get additives (Google a bit) which will help "emulsify" any water into the fuel so that might be worth a try. Have you checked your deck filler and tank vent to check that no water has started getting in recently?

Richard

 

[Spyro]

The bio diesel from supermarkets is a greenish yellow colour. Could it be just the result of mixing it with your red?