RV broke down

340Cuda · 04-11-2019, 01:35 PM

Do you need to be running some sort of fuel additive until you kill the algae?

Back when I was in the business of running data centers we would have the fuel checked for our standby generators and add fuel additives if stuff started growing in the diesel.

Keith 944 · 04-11-2019, 02:00 PM

Always listen to the wife!

FED 387 · 04-11-2019, 02:27 PM

you probably have let the RV sitting with less than a full tank of fuel on multiple occasions for long periods of time between races---you need some diesel fuel cleaner like bio kleen or something similar it will say algae/bacteria cleaner on the label--you don't need cetane boost or injector cleaner wrong stuff-- but algae/bacteria cleaner -your problem is you have some water in the fuel tank and the water breeds algae in the fuel tank---check the filters and run some stuff thru there for the next 2-3 tanks should help clear up the problem---also always try to keep the tank full between races this will help eliminate the problem too---FED 387

jmcarter · 04-11-2019, 03:11 PM

Is higher biodiesel % also a contributor? Have always tried to stay with #2 or 5% but of course in some states that isn’t possible. Just trying to gauge how often I need to use the additive stuff.

FED 387 · 04-11-2019, 03:21 PM

My understanding is "all" diesel fuels are subject to this algae problem mostly because its BIO fuel and WATER---not absolutely sure but the cost for the bio clean additive is not that much if it will help prevent problems---its not a snake oil product it actually works how much how often is based on your vehicle usage but the stuff I use in my truck is about $11-15.00 +/- for a quart bottle depending on the brand and the retailer---never have had any problems ever so its pretty cheap insurance if it solves the problems don't you think? FED 387

Robbie Welch · 04-12-2019, 07:03 AM

Guys thanks for the responds. I'm for sure going to start running and additive to stop the algae. The keep the tank full when setting advise is good and the always listen to the wife is the best thanks. Now I have to deal with the house water pump died. Oh the life of a traveling sportsman race. You've got to love it

FED 387 · 04-12-2019, 10:25 AM

The algae is caused by several sources mainly condensation in the tank diesel only stays good maybe 6 months not like over a year for the old type fuels--next because those engines are injected when the warm /hot fuel is bypassed back to the tank and it hits the cooler fuel or surfaces in the tank condensation occurs ---over time this allows the algae to develop and build up---google it and read up on it you will get a real good education about what is going on in your system--- the other thing is if your RV is an "older" unit this preventative maintenance most likely has not been done by the previous owners/s so its just a matter of time before this is the result you are going to get---2-3 treatments over a period of time should help the situation--- don't go crazy and go putting lots of additive in the tank cuz if you could look into the tank the bottom of the tank probably has a layer of black tar looking "crud" or a gel like substance that is the result of the algae process---look at the fuel going into the engine it should look clear and light colored not dark which is an indication of "contaminated" fuel---FED 387

04-11-2019, 01:35 PM	#1
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,679 Likes: 3,920 Liked 805 Times in 341 Posts	Re: RV broke down Do you need to be running some sort of fuel additive until you kill the algae? Back when I was in the business of running data centers we would have the fuel checked for our standby generators and add fuel additives if stuff started growing in the diesel.

04-11-2019, 02:27 PM	#3
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,426 Likes: 551 Liked 335 Times in 182 Posts	Re: RV broke down you probably have let the RV sitting with less than a full tank of fuel on multiple occasions for long periods of time between races---you need some diesel fuel cleaner like bio kleen or something similar it will say algae/bacteria cleaner on the label--you don't need cetane boost or injector cleaner wrong stuff-- but algae/bacteria cleaner -your problem is you have some water in the fuel tank and the water breeds algae in the fuel tank---check the filters and run some stuff thru there for the next 2-3 tanks should help clear up the problem---also always try to keep the tank full between races this will help eliminate the problem too---FED 387

04-11-2019, 03:11 PM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,310 Likes: 2,430 Liked 3,232 Times in 983 Posts	Re: RV broke down Is higher biodiesel % also a contributor? Have always tried to stay with #2 or 5% but of course in some states that isn’t possible. Just trying to gauge how often I need to use the additive stuff. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

04-11-2019, 03:21 PM	#5
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,426 Likes: 551 Liked 335 Times in 182 Posts	Re: RV broke down My understanding is "all" diesel fuels are subject to this algae problem mostly because its BIO fuel and WATER---not absolutely sure but the cost for the bio clean additive is not that much if it will help prevent problems---its not a snake oil product it actually works how much how often is based on your vehicle usage but the stuff I use in my truck is about $11-15.00 +/- for a quart bottle depending on the brand and the retailer---never have had any problems ever so its pretty cheap insurance if it solves the problems don't you think? FED 387

04-12-2019, 07:03 AM	#6
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,234 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Re: RV broke down Guys thanks for the responds. I'm for sure going to start running and additive to stop the algae. The keep the tank full when setting advise is good and the always listen to the wife is the best thanks. Now I have to deal with the house water pump died. Oh the life of a traveling sportsman race. You've got to love it

04-11-2019, 02:00 PM	#2
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,196 Likes: 1,163 Liked 1,886 Times in 579 Posts	Re: RV broke down Always listen to the wife! __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

04-12-2019, 10:25 AM	#7
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,426 Likes: 551 Liked 335 Times in 182 Posts	Re: RV broke down The algae is caused by several sources mainly condensation in the tank diesel only stays good maybe 6 months not like over a year for the old type fuels--next because those engines are injected when the warm /hot fuel is bypassed back to the tank and it hits the cooler fuel or surfaces in the tank condensation occurs ---over time this allows the algae to develop and build up---google it and read up on it you will get a real good education about what is going on in your system--- the other thing is if your RV is an "older" unit this preventative maintenance most likely has not been done by the previous owners/s so its just a matter of time before this is the result you are going to get---2-3 treatments over a period of time should help the situation--- don't go crazy and go putting lots of additive in the tank cuz if you could look into the tank the bottom of the tank probably has a layer of black tar looking "crud" or a gel like substance that is the result of the algae process---look at the fuel going into the engine it should look clear and light colored not dark which is an indication of "contaminated" fuel---FED 387