Do you former oil burners worry about slime in your oil tank?

[krooser]

I parked my Peterbilt for 20 months and had lots of problems with bacteria growth in my fuel tanks... it caused plenty of fuel related problems until I finally got rid of it with new fuel and using fuel conditioners.

The fuel companies tell me this new "low sulfer" that we use in trucks has a shelf life of six months before it degrades...

Anybody had similar issues with their fuel oil after it's "parked" in your tanks for a year or so?

 

[BDPVT]

Good Point! All of the issues associated with diesel fuel will exist to a somewhat greater degree because heating oil is lower quality than diesel. Things such as accumulation of moisture in the storage tank and the growth of bacteria (diesel slime) are more likely resulting in a much less efficient burn. The system will be more prone to the formation of sludge which can foul fuel, corrode the tank, and clog the jets and filters on the furnace. And most of all, the furnace is also prone to producing foul smelling exhaust odor, soot, and harmful emissions such as Carbon Monoxide.
I never considered this before, but since I only burn about 1 tank per year, I will start using a fuel additive to condition my tank.

 

[imacman]

I parked my Peterbilt for 20 months and had lots of problems with bacteria growth in my fuel tanks... it caused plenty of fuel related problems until I finally got rid of it with new fuel and using fuel conditioners.

The fuel companies tell me this new "low sulfer" that we use in trucks has a shelf life of six months before it degrades...

Anybody had similar issues with their fuel oil after it's "parked" in your tanks for a year or so?

Krooser, what fuel "conditioner" can be added? Is there one like StaBil that's for kerosene/fuel oil/diesel that extends the storage life?

 

[hoverfly]

I just use diesel fuel treatment when I fill the tank and had no problems so far. Just use the same ratio as you would put in your truck. This the same stuff you buy at you local auto parts store.

 

[krooser]

After my tanks had the slime I used a petroleum based diesel injector cleaner + I added some additive that prevents the formation of bacteria. I'll try to get the name of the stuff.

I had the advantage (?) of refilling my tanks every day or so... it helped flush out the bad fuel. But I had about a dozen plugged fuel filters (there are two on my CAT diesel) before the system cleared out of the gooey stuff.

I'll try to get the product name for you.

 

[krooser]

Here's the stuff I used to try to stabilize the slime... (broken link removed to http://www.schaefferoil.com/fuel_shock.html)

Good reading....

 

[Gumby1]

Another really good conditioner is called Sea Foam motor treatment. You can use it in gas or diesel. This is way better than Stabil. The new fuels dont mix well with Stabil. We have been using this in marine engines in the past and now in motorcycles. Keeps the gas as fresh as when it was put in. Now also using it in my diesel truck. Good stuff..

 

[imacman]

Another really good conditioner is called Sea Foam motor treatment. You can use it in gas or diesel. This is way better than Stabil. The new fuels dont mix well with Stabil. We have been using this in marine engines in the past and now in motorcycles. Keeps the gas as fresh as when it was put in. Now also using it in my diesel truck. Good stuff..

I use SeaFoam to clean the intake system on my TrailBlazer....just suck it up a little at a time through the power brake booster hose. I know it could be used in the gas tank too, but didn't know it would work on diesel too.

Krooser, that must have been a LOT of slime to have to change the filters on the Cat 6x....YIKES! We have a 500hp Cat on the 2004 T2000 that pulls our race car trailer, but I think that only has 1 really big fuel filter, and 1 water separator.

Thanks guys...I'll have to get some of that stuff into the HHO (550 Tank).

 

[Gweeper64]

I use DieselKleen in my TDI which is readily available from Walmart, but I don't think that will prevent bacteria buildup.

 

[swalz]

I picked up sludge treat made by Hercules, the guy that came and cleaned my boiler said that the filter had a lot of sludge in it.

 

[DAKSY]

I picked up sludge treat made by Hercules, the guy that came and cleaned my boiler said that the filter had a lot of sludge in it.

Wow! Hercules cleaned your boiler?

 

[Gweeper64]

I picked up sludge treat made by Hercules, the guy that came and cleaned my boiler said that the filter had a lot of sludge in it.

Where do you typically find that? I've been told similar about my filter. My tank has to be 50 years old.

 

[imacman]

..... My tank has to be 50 years old.

PHEW! And I thought mine was old at 24 years (underground).

 

[swalz]

I picked up sludge treat made by Hercules, the guy that came and cleaned my boiler said that the filter had a lot of sludge in it.

Where do you typically find that? I've been told similar about my filter. My tank has to be 50 years old.

I ordered online from Pexsupply.com when I ordered some parts for my boiler, your oil service guy should carry something also.

 

[Gweeper64]

..... My tank has to be 50 years old.

PHEW! And I thought mine was old at 24 years (underground).

Mine is in my basement, not underground. House built in the late 50s.

 

[mainegeek]

I don't think you can find a tank older then a few years that doesn't have sludge.

Hell, if the oil company pumps from the bottom of their tank on the truck then they will pump sludge in.

I've only had clogged lines/filter once. It was a very busy that year and I neglected to schedule the annual tune up. It was right around the 15th month (which happened to be the SAME day I had a delivery) the furnace started to sputter and backfire because of the sludge clogging the filter/line. IMO, as long as you have an oil burner tech service your furnace annually then you should have no problems from the sludge in the tank. BTW, if the line from your tank to your furnace does get clogged then use a CO2 cartridge from a paint ball gun to purge out the line.

You can also purchase pretreated oil also. In Maine, CN Brown sells their Red Shield oil that has added detergentes to discourage sludge build up. It is a little bit more expensive though

 

[imacman]

I don't think you can find a tank older then a few years that doesn't have sludge.

Hell, if the oil company pumps from the bottom of their tank on the truck then they will pump sludge in.

I've only had clogged lines/filter once.......

Me too...I had it happen once, and it just so happens that it was the same day I had a delivery of oil. Service tech gave me a good piece of advice.....if possible, as soon as the truck rolls into the driveway, turn off the emergency switch to the burner until about 1 hr. after the delivery is done to allow the oil to "settle down" in the tank.

If you have someone home during the day, it's no problem........if not, well, then the filter has to do it's job. If you can get the delivery during the warmer months, shut it off before you go to work.

 

[mainegeek]

Me too...I had it happen once, and it just so happens that it was the same day I had a delivery of oil. Service tech gave me a good piece of advice.....if possible, as soon as the truck rolls into the driveway, turn off the emergency switch to the burner until about 1 hr. after the delivery is done to allow the oil to "settle down" in the tank.

If you have someone home during the day, it's no problem........if not, well, then the filter has to do it's job. If you can get the delivery during the warmer months, shut it off before you go to work.

Exactly! It's the same thing as gassing your vehicle after the fuel truck just filled the stations tanks. The fuel filter will do its jobs!

As you said, you can't always be home (especially "us" on auto delivery) so the annual tune up is the best preventive maint. you can do. Its like the 25k/30k tune up we do on our vehicles.

 

[hoverfly]

I picked up sludge treat made by Hercules, the guy that came and cleaned my boiler said that the filter had a lot of sludge in it.

Where do you typically find that? I've been told similar about my filter. My tank has to be 50 years old.

May not help, fuel oil to day is more refined than fuel oil in the past. You may have inches of sludge in your tank, it's time to replace it any way before it starts to leak. That costs big bucks and my not be covered under home owners insurance, far cheaper to just replace it.

 

[JustWood]

http://www.powerservice.com/

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Hey, come on now that tank is for oil, not slimy politicians, you store the politicians under water, just don't tell the EPA.