Algae in fuel

[Flay_Crosswell]

I have a 98 tradition w/300 cummins. It was a 1 owner when we bought it 4 years ago , I have been adding fuel conditioner every fill up and she gets used every 6 weeks or so . I have it in for routine annual service ,at a Cummins RV shop, and have been informed that the tank has Algae ,needs to be dropped and cleaned $$$$ ,It didn't affect performance at all but the filter is loaded . How do I keep this from happening again? Being a 98 is a long time , maybe it just caught up with me . Thanks

[Tom_Barb]

hughesjm21 wrote:
If your filter is loaded, it is hard to believe your performance was not affected.

Define "LOADED"

[hughesjm21]

If your filter is loaded, it is hard to believe your performance was not affected.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

[Tom_Barb]

Flay Crosswell wrote:
I have decided to have them change the filters now and check the filters in a few months . I will treat the fuel and keep an eye on it and rely on both my filters to do their job. There is an additive called Diesel Tech for boats/algae problems. I have never lost power , chugged or had the check engine light come on . Thanks to all for your responses , the guy at the Cummins center agreed with me .

Good plan. Have the fuel from the filters tested see what you are dealing with. It's a waste of money to buy treatment you don't need.

[racer4]

Killem is the biocide product for diesel fuel I have seen the most often.

Killem link.

Be careful handling it.

Water and diesel will allow that slime to grow at the interface level (water on the bottom, bacteria in the middle, diesel on top). The bacteria live in the water and feed on the diesel. Killem is lighter than water and heavier than diesel, so it will float at the interface between the water and diesel and will kill the bacteria. The problem is worse in warm temperatures.

[Raften]

I may have as much or more experience with alge in fuel. Get the biocide from a store that deals with marine products, West Marine is one. Fishing boats deal with alge often enough. The biocide added at the refinery is not good enough sometimes.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Takes only water and time. Algae in caves don't have sunlamps. Filled-to-the-brim tanks condense zero water in humid climes. Live with a diesel and 100% condensing humidity for awhile and attend the Graduate School of Hard Knocks. My Racor fuel water separators tell me I have water, I change vendors FAST! I have a giant Racor with S element (1-micron) used with an electric pump to vacuum water out of storage tanks. Each diesel also has the Racor S grade filter.

[starcraft69]

Now you can tell the greenies that you have joined them in going green movement!!!!
LMAO 😉

[Flay_Crosswell]

I have decided to have them change the filters now and check the filters in a few months . I will treat the fuel and keep an eye on it and rely on both my filters to do their job. There is an additive called Diesel Tech for boats/algae problems. I have never lost power , chugged or had the check engine light come on . Thanks to all for your responses , the guy at the Cummins center agreed with me .

[Flay_Crosswell]

I have been putting in the Honey colored additive you get by the gallon at the truck stops . Always buy from name brand big truck stops ' I am wondering if any algaeside and a couple of filter changes would help with my situation . Don't want the crud to make into my injectors and pump .

[Tom_Barb]

NinerBikes wrote:
Also, once you get this cleared up, always store your fuel tank full of fuel, so that condensation can't form nightly in your fuel tank.

This is a good theory but in practical application doesn't make a hill of beans. there is not enough air displacement during the night day cycle to contain enough humidity to develop water in the tank.

This applies more to huge tanks at the refineries where huge quantities of air / humidity can be drawn in to the tank.

[RAS43]

There are additives specific for algae and should be used in vehicles that sit a lot and don't use up the fuel for many months. And it doesn't need sunlight to form in this case. The algae forms when there is water in the tank so if you have a drain on the bottom of the tank that would help. But most tanks don't have a drain so an additive is needed. Some auto parts stores and most commercial truck dealers should have some.

[Tom_Barb]

Flay Crosswell wrote:
It didn't affect performance at all but the filter is loaded . Thanks

Loaded with what? how did it get there?

[NinerBikes]

You need some algae biocide fuel additive. Also, once you get this cleared up, always store your fuel tank full of fuel, so that condensation can't form nightly in your fuel tank. It's that condensation that provides water that provides what algae needs to bloom and grow in your fuel.