| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Harrison Fire
Senior Member
United States
175 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2011 : 4:49:36 PM
|
After the full switch to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, we had a midwinter problem. Winter Blend fuel (treated by the supplier) plugged the 10 micron particulate filter at the dispensing pump with frozen slush. After the supplier's staff circulated Power Service 911 through the tank with a portable pump and changed filters, Power Service was added to every delivery (we purchase it, fuel truck driver adds it). Whenever water came with a delivery of diesel, in would show up in the FS65 RACOR filter bowls. (they are clear) Was told, after complaining of the water, that "You are the only one having this problem, I don't understand it, ect., ect. !!) Switched to Stanadyne and now the water goes to the bottom of the tank. Works well until it gets stirred up. It did this week. A driver filled up right after the truck left and the bus got a load of water. The water in fuel light came on soon after it left the yard and the water was suctioned out of the filter after the run was over. This morning it fired up then quit. A 1/2 inch of water in the seperator. Would not run. Towed it in and changed filters. Fuel water seperator was full of ice. (2 degrees this morning) Complained to supplier. Again told that, "You are the only one having this problem, I don't understand it".. I do. The tank is above ground, on the north side of a building and it sets level. Supplier wants to add an expensive centrifugal heated filter at the school's expense. Something is wrong with this picture. Are you collecting expensive water too?
HF
|
|
|
JustinB
Advanced Member
United States
490 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2011 : 05:58:46 AM
|
Power Servioce is a supsention/dispersant. it will break up the water into smaller droplets & float it into the fuel & throughout your entire system. The idea is to get the water past the filter.
Stanadyne is a separation agent that forces the F/W seperator to do its job. It takes a few times to flaot all of the fuel above teh water. |
I may not know the answer but I can usually find who does. |
 |
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2011 : 06:03:07 AM
|
Looks like to me you need to find a different supplier. I tell my supplier that he and I live in the same world so he needs to make sure that my buses don't break down due to water or gelling. I have absolutly no problems with their fuel. In fact I have such good luck that all other suppliers have quit bidding (that may not be good on price though).
|
Bryan |
|
|
|
Harrison Fire
Senior Member
United States
175 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2011 : 06:25:59 AM
|
The tank and pump is mounted on/in a containment/skid and is owned by the supplier. We pay for filters. Their fuel salesman came at my quitting time, bearing an "aquablock" 30 micron filter. Told the TD and I that, "This filter will stop any water from getting through". Then I asked him why they did not filter the fuel this way before delivery. His answer. Because the water delivered was below allowed standards.
Nice. Real Nice.
HF |
|
|
|
Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2011 : 08:19:27 AM
|
| We have an above ground 1,000 gallon double wall "fire block" tank. It does sit on the west side of the building. We buy premium fuel, don't have any problems and we never use additives. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
|
|
|
Spar
Active Member
20 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2011 : 08:58:06 AM
|
Lots of thoughts - pardon my digressions :)
First, 911 is for de-gelling fuel, not an anti-gel additive. It is not combustible by itself. The best success I've had is with Howe's. Use it as directed, record it, and they will pay for tows/repairs. I've only had to use that once and it turned out the fuel supply was at fault but Howe's still stood by their warranty.
Next, why are you paying for their filters? If it is their tank and pump, basically they should be responsible for the fuel until it comes out of the nozzle.
On the aquablock - hopefully it's being installed before the 10 micron filter, not in place of. Otherwise instead of changing [their] filter on the pump you'll be changing the ones in your fleet.
I understand the entire low bid mentality and personally I hate it. It always turns into a "You get what you pay for" and finger pointing. "The contract states less than 5% water, it tests at 4.99999999(to infinitum)%. Not my fault."
but back to your problem.
Water (and sediment) will rest on the bottom of a fuel tank naturally. When the tank is fueled it will blend with the fuel and disperse throughout the tank until it has enough time to settle back to the bottom. I would let your supplier know that they need to drain and clean their tank, and also check for sealing issues that may be allowing moisture in. If you truly are "the only one with problems" then there is a problem with their tank. |
It's a machine, not a werewolf. |
|
|
|
Baggs
New Member
9 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2011 : 10:18:21 AM
|
Well put Spar.
Oh and lets not forget about "bugs". In the past I have used products from BG with excellent luck. This is something I do outside of what my supplier does. Started about 3 years ago. |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2011 : 4:00:27 PM
|
| Just talked to my supplier today and he ask if I was having any trouble during this cold snap. (don't laugh you guys up north) It got down to about 6F last night and is expected to be at least that low tonight and tomorrow night. I just looked at him funny and said "I never have trouble with your fuel, and by the way-- I BETTER NOT! He just laughed and said he had someone complain and make all kinds of havoc for him. I don't know what is going on there but this guy gets the fuel right out of the same truck, bulk tank, refinery that I do. Go figure. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
IBTMech
Top Member
USA
973 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2011 : 5:34:39 PM
|
| BUY CLEAN FUEL. KEEP IT CLEAN! |
If it doesn't fit, FORCE it.
If it breaks, well, it needed replacing anyway.
Pullin' wrenches for 45 years. |
|
|
|
IBTMech
Top Member
USA
973 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2011 : 5:48:18 PM
|
BUY CLEAN FUEL. KEEP IT CLEAN!
Portland, Maine is the third largest oil terminal in the eastern US and their tank farms are just a few miles from us....... big advantage.
I monitor when they start supplying 'winter' blend and let our 10,000 gallon underground tank get as low as we dare before filling it with winter blend plus Power Service concentrate ( 1:1500 gallons) which I add and haven't had a gelling or water issue since 2001. And we get our share of below zero nights...... -17 recently.... may get down there tonight.
I removed all those Stanadyne and Racor filters years ago. Pain in the ass. They never had any water in them but were always causing low power issues in cold weather. The fuel/water filters in the newer Internationals haven't been an issue and I have never drained any water out of them during service intervals.
We have our tanks, diesel, gasoline and heating oil, cleaned of water and debris every three years, which is usually very little but the cost of prevention is well worth the cure.
Motoring on in Cape Elizabeth............. |
If it doesn't fit, FORCE it.
If it breaks, well, it needed replacing anyway.
Pullin' wrenches for 45 years. |
Edited by - IBTMech on 02/09/2011 5:57:27 PM |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Stanadyne vs Power Service
