iamevilhomer

Having a problem with a diesel generator at work that's running very poorly and not producing a steady voltage. Removed the diesel filter and what came out was not a pretty sight. Checked the diesel in a 1300 litre tank we have, and it did'nt look "right". Would like to get the diesel tested, but not sure where to go or how much we would have to pay.
Does anyone have any experiences of this kind of thing?

wiltshire_boy

Have a search for "diesel bug" on CWF. Can be quite common in narrowboats etc.

Roy.

yoza

1300 litre tank....how full is it?

And what was your post code again?


Sorry...

When you say it doesnt look right what do you mean?

If it has been contaminated by water the water will bead at the base of the tank and look like small ball bearings, also if the tank is of the old metal type they rot from the inside out leaving rust at the base of the tank.

But when you disturb the tank the water and rust sediment will swirl about and mix for a time, and end up blocking your motors filter.

Did the filter base look brown/red like a silty compound, if so I am going for the above explination.

Later Yoza

Neil XR

iTrader: (1)

is the engine up and down, possible water in fuel or pump dying

where abouts are you what size is it, make and location

Dave1980

agree with the above, had a very similar problem before with a generator on site.
water had got into the fuel somehow.

iamevilhomer

it cost £950 o fill the tank around 2 months ago and its still half full.

I am starting to believe it is water myself-not visibly obvious- but the genset is lumpy when running.

How could i test if there is water in the diesel? Don't want to have to think about disposing off 500 litres or so unless I am sure.

yoza

syphon a bit out into a glass bottle, but make sure your hose is at the bottom of the tank.

Leave the bottle over night then look at the bottom of it, the water separation will be obviouse.

Odds on

When was the last time you changed the filters?

The water will drop to the bottom, so it should have gone through now.

If changing the filter doesn't work, then you've a leak in your tank.

iamevilhomer

I changed the fuel filter last week and the service engineer did it again today.
I will take a sample of the diesel and let it settle and see what we have.
If it is water in the tank i hate the thought of £500 worth of fuel bloody wasted !