| Author | Message | ||
| Phil Cegielski (Rt4957)
Registered Member Username: Rt4957 Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 Rating: N/A |
I got my bus out and running on the street a few weeks ago after it sat in the storage yard for about 4-6 years without moving,,an occasional start and idle but no movement due to lack of legal registration. Took it to fill up the tank,,thought it was low on fuel as the last time I drove it,,it was idling strange like it would stall,(never did),but at the station it only took about 40 gallons,out of what I think is 125 capacity. The Flx ran well on that night,but the next week I went back to start the bus,,and it had lost its prime. I changed the Fuel Filters and all seems well again,,I ran it for a bath just last week with no problems. Question is,,When does Diesel start to seperate,go bad,and grow the algae deposits etc? After sitting for so long,,is there something/additive I should add to the tank to kill anything off? The removed Filters werent heavy,,and didn`t seem plugged,,but the fresh filters seem to work better. I want to make sure the engine is safe from any contaminants as I`m not a rich owner and would hate to damage something like an injector with lousy fuel. Thanks for any help Phil / Rt4957 | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 63.232.215.5 Rating: N/A |
It doesn't sound like you have algae or the filters would have been plugged, everybody has their favorites,but I would add a gallon of "power service",available at truck stops and wal-mart.it comes in a white or silver jug,in the automotive dept. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.104 Rating: N/A |
The one thing most people forget when they consider buying a bus, is that the bus was designed to be driven daily. Tires are formulated with chemicals that keep the tires from drying out, that are released when the tire rolls. Wheel, axle, pinion, transmission, and engine seals, and their associated bearings were designed to used frequently, otherwise they may get flat spots from the stationary weight sitting upon them.. Condensation forms and collects in the oversized engine and transmission sumps (and fuel tanks), from the lack of heat from use, that usually helps evaporate the moisture... And it's that moisture that can cause corrosion and rust on the cylinder walls, injectors, rings, bearings, etc... I haven't run my '9 down the road in about three months... I use to go for a two hour drive once a week.. The price of fuel put a damper on my dalliances.. But I do plan on rolling it out this week. I'll get the rodents out of the air cleaner before I do, however... But to let it sit for a few years? That's asking for major headaches! | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
Registered Member Username: Pvcces Post Number: 967 Registered: 5-2001 Posted From: 65.74.70.16 Rating: N/A |
Phil, the growths that you are concerned about seem to form at the interface between the fuel and the water that collects in the bottom of the tank from condensation. If the air is very dry most of the time, then the process of forming the condensation will be very slow. On the other hand, if the air is very damp, and there is some temperature change from time to time, condensation will form much faster. A biocide will keep the bugs down, but what you really are going to want is to keep the condensation down in the tank. Driving it and perhaps using some dryer such as methyl hydrate are the main ways to keep the water to a minimum. If you could keep the tank from breathing from temperature change, you would have very little condensation. If the tank is not designed to be pressurized or have a vacuum, that's not very practical. Perhaps, you would like one of the water separating filters with the clear bowl, so you could see the trapped water. Many boats and tractors run that type of equipment, now. They do help take the mystery out of wet fuel. For what it's worth. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher Ketchikan, Alaska | ||
| Phil Cegielski (Rt4957)
Registered Member Username: Rt4957 Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 Rating: N/A |
I was concerned when the bus would not start due to the lost prime a week after I put fuel in it. I was thinking that maybe I stirred up a lot of bottom of tank stuff upon filling up and then driving it,,hopefully the stuff,if any,has settled back to the bottom of the tank. The bus is located in The San Fernando Vally/California where the weather is usually hot/warm with mid humidity. The tank has a good cap seal on it so I dont think that moisture gets in,,but I am also learning as I go along. It seems like a one time deal after filling it up,,just would hate to get stuck somewhere with an expensive tow bill. That plus you can never have too much knowledge,,things are good to know and learn. Thanks for your help everyone. Phil / Rt4957  |