Have your CAT had its Asphaltene today???

[Reworked LMTV]

I was unaware of this nightmare contamination that can occur in diesel fuel. It showed up on my diesel tractor, but I think it is relevant here.

I was driving my diesel tractor and it suddenly lost RPMs and died. I thought, maybe water in fuel. The fuel filter had collapsed and there was thick, very tar like build up in the bottom of the plastic filter can. I tried various solvents, but MAF sensor cleaner was the best result, still I had to use a pick to get that crap out.

Asphaltene - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Anyone had this contamination and what did you use to prevent it in the future? Additive, etc.

 

[MatthewWBailey]

I was unaware of this nightmare contamination that can occur in diesel fuel. It showed up on my diesel tractor, but I think it is relevant here.

I was driving my diesel tractor and it suddenly lost RPMs and died. I thought, maybe water in fuel. The fuel filter had collapsed and there was thick, very tar like build up in the bottom of the plastic filter can. I tried various solvents, but MAF sensor cleaner was the best result, still I had to use a pick to get that crap out.

Asphaltene - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Anyone had this contamination and what did you use to prevent it in the future? Additive, etc.

Never heard of this myself. I found this article which talks about fuel additives as the main preventative. The master mechs on here would know for sure.

Understanding a Common Culprit for Lost MPG: Asphaltene - Diesel Direct

dieseldirect.com

 

[98G]

Apparently it happens in oil wells also. The flowing liquid suddenly turns into a solid black crayon.

 

[NDT]

Maybe I have that. Thought it was some kind of wax that precipitated out of the diesel. I used lacquer thinner to cut it in the primary filter, trying ethanol in the fuel tank. This is a LMTV.

 

[chucky]

Hes got a 1088 and when was the last time the filters were changed ? Weve all seen old equipment thats sat 20 yrs out in fields that the diesel didnt do that sounds like something was poured into your tank ! I put a half jug of HOWES twice a year in mine has done a good job !

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Hes got a 1088 and when was the last time the filters were changed ? Weve all seen old equipment thats sat 20 yrs out in fields that the diesel didnt do that sounds like something was poured into your tank ! I put a half jug of HOWES twice a year in mine has done a good job !

Meaner Kleaner or Diesel Defender?

 

[chucky]

 

[tennmogger]

Removing asphaltenes

Anyone know of a way to dissolve the stuff while its in the tank?

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[ehinlein]

Removing asphaltenes

Anyone know of a way to dissolve the stuff while its in the tank?

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[ehinlein]

Acetone. Had 1/2-3/4” in bottom of backhoe tank. Scoop it out then acetone to get the rest. Bought 5 gals at HDepot.

 

[NDT]

E85 ethanol gas appears to cut it. Now to get all these chunks out of the tank.