Diesel color

[ldmack3]

Since I'm a newbie at diesels does the color look right? I sumped and there is no sediment but it came from a rusty tank with a big magnet on the bottom. It's the fuel that was in it when I bought it in Sept out of Phoenix. As I've been working on it, I'm not driving any but running the engine every few day to get it warmed up. I have an aluminum NOS tank coming and just wanting to know if I should panic and stop running it until I can change it.

Thanks

 

[eric67camino]

I don't think I would panic, if I were you, but I probably wouldn't run any more of it through my truck.

 

[Elijah95]

I’d drain that, toss it, have the tank professionally cleaned and call it a day. That’s rust stained and nasty, any water in your tank will sit at the bottom and continue to rust the tank when the truck is stationary, then push the rust particulate throughout the fuel system causing premature wear on the injection system.

It’s been covered before but most older MVs have inadequate fuel filter Micron rating ie not

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[ldmack3]

I switched to the other tank and will see what that produces. But are you saying even without sediment that's rust in the fuel? I've read that diesel can be many different colors depending on grade, quality, season, etc. But like I said I have no experience with it...except for lighting my burn pile!
Thanks for the advice.

 

[ldmack3]

I’d drain that, toss it, have the tank professionally cleaned and call it a day. That’s rust stained and nasty, any water in your tank will sit at the bottom and continue to rust the tank when the truck is stationary, then push the rust particulate throughout the fuel system causing premature wear on the injection system.

It’s been covered before but most older MVs have inadequate fuel filter Micron rating ie not

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I'm changing it out to the aluminum on coming.
Thanks

 

[Elijah95]

Well let me back up a little, diesel nationwide has always appeared green to me, except in California it was crystal clear like water last September when I visited.

Generally speaking, if you allow diesel to sit in a dark environment without water or outside contamination it generally will stay green for many years, but heat, moisture, algae or other contamination can quickly change the color. Even more so with new bio-blend diesel. It’s becoming more common to see 1-5% biodiesel blended into our fuel which is great for lubricity but can clean out your system, break down rubber, and eventually break down if left in a tank for long.

Correct me if I’m wrong but does that fuel appear cloudy?
I’d capture a full sample and allow it to settle for a week or two glancing at it daily to see if anything drops out of suspension.

What kind of truck is this in, **Edit: Searching your posts appear it’s an M44A2 series multifuel deuce** how’s that fuel smell, and how old do you think the fuel is?


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[ldmack3]

Well let me back up a little, diesel nationwide has always appeared green to me, except in California it was crystal clear like water last September when I visited.

Generally speaking, if you allow diesel to sit in a dark environment without water or outside contamination it generally will stay green for many years, but heat, moisture, algae or other contamination can quickly change the color. Even more so with new bio-blend diesel. It’s becoming more common to see 1-5% biodiesel blended into our fuel which is great for lubricity but can clean out your system, break down rubber, and eventually break down if left in a tank for long.

Correct me if I’m wrong but does that fuel appear cloudy?
I’d capture a full sample and allow it to settle for a week or two glancing at it daily to see if anything drops out of suspension.

What kind of truck is this in, **Edit: Searching your posts appear it’s an M44A2 series multifuel deuce** how’s that fuel smell, and how old do you think the fuel is?


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M35A2 and this is a 2nd tank added sometime in the past, more than 4 years ago. No idea how old the fuel is, but I bought it in Sept with 2 full tanks. It's been sitting, but run regularly since. The fuel is cloudy and I plan on keeping it a while to see if anything drops out. I changed all the filters in Sept and they are 5 and 6 micron. I've been running on this tank to empty it as its still got about 30 gallons estimated. The sensor is screwed up so I can't go by the indicator. I've switched over to the other tank to see how the color is after I run it a few times. Is it a good idea to let the pump empty the tank to another container?

 

[Elijah95]

Gotcha, good deal. Sounds like either rust stained fuel or simply old from lots of sitting in high heat conditions and a little water in it.

I’ve ran much nastier fuel, but if in doubt drain it out. You probably won’t hurt that lift pump with that fuel, I’ve seen fuel so filthy it’d make you wonder how the truck is still running, little pump just keeps on chugging!


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[Mullaney]

M35A2 and this is a 2nd tank added sometime in the past, more than 4 years ago. No idea how old the fuel is, but I bought it in Sept with 2 full tanks. It's been sitting, but run regularly since. The fuel is cloudy and I plan on keeping it a while to see if anything drops out. I changed all the filters in Sept and they are 5 and 6 micron. I've been running on this tank to empty it as its still got about 30 gallons estimated. The sensor is screwed up so I can't go by the indicator. I've switched over to the other tank to see how the color is after I run it a few times. Is it a good idea to let the pump empty the tank to another container?

If you really have a burning desire to know what is in the fuel, there are companies that have the tools to tell you. They can give you a detailed list of what is in fuel, motor oil, gear oil, transmission fluid, and coolant. Blackstone Laboratories, Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana has been used by several of our members. You can search for them online, fill out a form and they will send you sample bottles and instructions on how to return them for examination.

I have to agree with the posts above though. I have seen green slimy stuff that I wouldn't have expected to power a truck run just fine.

The MultiFuel was built back when people were more resourceful. The idea being that a good scrounger might be able to gather some motor oil and gas and make something that would burn in the truck. The idea was that if a unit got cut off from resupply finding diesel might be harder than gas and oil...

 

[G744]

Just a note: For those stuck in states that have attainment (smog tests) and your multifuel won't pass, run it on straight regular gas and it will.

 

[davidb56]

Since I'm a newbie at diesels does the color look right? I sumped and there is no sediment but it came from a rusty tank with a big magnet on the bottom. It's the fuel that was in it when I bought it in Sept out of Phoenix. As I've been working on it, I'm not driving any but running the engine every few day to get it warmed up. I have an aluminum NOS tank coming and just wanting to know if I should panic and stop running it until I can change it.

Thanks

Since it is a multi fuel, who knows what mixture it is. looks like diesel and maybe WVO mix, or sorts. It could even be motor oil and gas. I'd clean it with a 1 micron filter after pumping into a barrel to settle for a while.

 

[simp5782]

Some states require B5, B10, B20 or B40 bio blend. Especially at truck pumps Especially loves and pilot.. it can be different colors. Not just green. It can be straw yellow to dark yellow.. BP diesel is clear.

thread from a few years back about diesel quality.

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/lets-talk-diesel-quality.158856/

 

[ldmack3]

Wow.
The technology of the day. Hopefully something better is now available. I measured end to end on the wire wound and got 31 ohms. Don't know if any windings are shorted.
Don't think I want any of this going into my new tank.
Tank has seen better days. After I get my aluminum tank in I will empty the other side and decide which to take to a shop for refurb.

I've seen comments somewhere talk about adjusting full and empty readings but don;t know of any way to do so. Did I miss this in the TMs?

 

[JCKnife]

Obviously you do have some rust issues with those pics, but one of the deuces I bought was filled with off-road diesel which is dyed red. Came that way from Fort Knox.

 

[ldmack3]

OK Left tank is much more cloudy than RH and after having drained it I can see the bottom full of rust. I'll keep running on the RH until I get my new tank.

Question on the pick up. Since I have pumps outside the tank, the pick up was modified and a screened inlet attached to the tube. It is a fine mesh, compared to the pics of new in tank pumps, and was so clogged I'm surprised the engine would make speed on that tank. With an aluminum tank and everything else cleaned up do I need the intake to be screened? I'm considering adding a filter for each tank next to their respective pump, 6 - 10 micron, to prefilter the fuel.

Overkill? I'm running 5 & 6 micron filters as it is.
Thanks