Dirty/muddy fuel

[94Taylor]

Hey guys just did a service on my ute yesterday and was shocked too see what came out of my fuel filter. I had drained my tanks about a month ago and only water came out so i was shocked to see how bad the fuel filter was. I change it every 10,000. Just wondering of what other things I could do to prevent this or just put in a secondary fuel filter if so just wondering on some steps to do this as I have never done before :confused:

[PeeBee]

I suspect its simply years of accumulation, I had a similar outcome recently and found the main tank breather was all clagged up and constantly open, and being behind the rear wheel its a dust bowl at times. I change filters every 5000 and since your filter was clogged up at least shows its working. I tried a second filter in-line but found the electric booster pump would not draw thru it - pressure drop too great. If you let us know specifically what year/model you have perhaps someone else with a similar issue can respond.

[94Taylor]

Thanks for the quick reply its a 2003 gu 4.2td ute

[94Taylor]

So if I put in a secondary fuel filter I just have to upgrade the pump aswell?

[PeeBee]

No . I think you need to wait and see what the 4.2 gurus come back with. Mine is a Chev Diesel with an electricbooster and it does not like any upstream filters - found out after I installed one and it stopped on me!!

[dom14]

Diesel attracts water and bio contamination I reckon.

[94Taylor]

Bio contamination??

[dom14]

Bio contamination??

Yeah, I 've read diesel can be food for certain bacteria and clog up the fuel lines and build up dirt that way.

[the evil twin]

If that amount of contamination was after 10,000 K's the you either got a bad load of fuel somewhere in that period or, as Pee Bee said, there is a breather problem/bad filler cap or some such.

Whereabouts does your truck spend most of its time? City or Country? Done any water crossings, really dusty gravel or whatever in the last 10,000 K's?

[94Taylor]

I live central qld but last time the car was off road was about 2 months ago and that was just a 100km dirt road no water crossings. my neighbour gets diesel at same servo as me and he hasn't said anything about his filter. Starting to think maybe I should drop my tanks and have a look?

[dom14]

I live central qld but last time the car was off road was about 2 months ago and that was just a 100km dirt road no water crossings. my neighbour gets diesel at same servo as me and he hasn't said anything about his filter. Starting to think maybe I should drop my tanks and have a look?

I would encourage to do that. From what I've heard diesel tanks can build up gunk inside lot quicker than other fuel.
The water is the source of the bio contamination according what I've read. Removing the tank and clean it properly with suitable
solvent and then fit it back with a good cleaner additive to remove a residue/clogged up bio or otherwise gunk in the plumbing.

Don't compare your issues with another guy that gets his diesel from the same servo. He may or may not be developing the problem.
Servo underground tanks are notorious for water contamination(I used to water and contaminant testing on underground tanks).
Diesel mixes with water better than other fuel I think, hence the reason for bio contamination risk being higher with diesel.