rust on fuel tank 'filter screen tube' M818

[OPCOM]

I found more rust and white crud than i want to admit, on the metal tube or 'can' that sits under the fuel tank cap. The deposits have formed mainly where the tube and the bracket touch. I'm tempted to just remove this thing, because buying fuel at the pump, it's not likely the screen is needed. I would hate to have this extra crud mess up the truck.

 

[cranetruck]

How much fuel to you usually keep in the tank?

 

[Goose2448]

One thing you learn when getting your pilots licence is keeping your fuel tanks full all the time. This is to keep air out of the tank. There is moisture in the air and when it gets cooler at night it condenses onto the top of the fuel tanks. This drips into the fuel which is bad no matter the engine, let alone at 10,000 feet. It also rust things, as you have found out. I have a habit of keeping things full of fuel because of this. Yeah, okay I don't fill everything up everyday, but if I know its gonna sit a while I do.

 

[OPCOM]

I generally have kept the tank almost full, but it sat a few months at 1/2. I don't drive the monster in the summer here, only start it every couple weeks.

 

[Keith_J]

Take it out and clean it. That is a reaction from water, fuel and air on the tin-lead coating. The strainer has another purpose, it can be pulled out and twisted to lock in the up position, reducing splashing. With current diesel, this also reduces foam triggered premature cut-off. But WATCH THE LEVEL, real easy to over-fill.

 

[TNJMurray]

Most all the tanks I have seen have the white crud in them , it's not that big a deal . Heavy rust is what you want to watch out for. Tnjmurray.com. Murco@tnjmurray.com