[Mike, 92 Country Coach]

This is out of filters and the real dark is from me pumping a bit out of the tank.

[Duane]

The only sure way to rid the problem is to get the contents of the fuel tank “polished”.

Most marinas that service large diesel boats can do that.

The final solution is to prevent algae. If possible keep the fuel tank filled, treat with an algacide and if possible keep the bus inside where temperature variations are minimal. Obviously change fuel filters frequently.

Any treatment that kills algae is likely to dislodge any that might be on the tank walls so you may wish to delay polishing but change filters often initially. If you keep moisture out of the tank you will not grow algae.

[Art]

Hard to say where this came from, just carry spare filters with you and change them as needed. I would run the tank down as low as you can the refuel. It is not worth going to all the extra efforts needed to keep your fuel pristine, then fill up with bad fuel in the next tank.

[Jon]

So I do keep the bus inside but it’s not climate controlled. It’s throwing injector #1 when I lose power and usually if I let off then the check engine light goes out and power comes back. I have several extra filters. I try to keep it as full as I can when I put it up. Talked to Prevost they said they needed to drop the tank and clean it but that scares me I know how that goes I will have issues from that for years. Can you just drain it flush it out run it put new filters on and the nightmare be over. Change filters a couple times. I think I got the crap in there trip before last. Also I have treated it with algae killer. But all the hard little pieces of black dried algae is hard to get out of that tank. These are the kinda problems that make me want to end my 30 years of RV fun.??.

[Mike, 92 Country Coach]

I hear you my brother, there is a lot of stuff you can do, what i do know is there are many vehicles running up and down the highway with situations similar to yours and it is completely your call on how much you want to do. You can have Injector 1 looked at, but i would grab some spare filters of the correct micron rating and run that bus down the road, don’t let something like this ruin your Camping experiences. Remember as long as noone has monkeyed around or rerouted fuel lines from what the factory recommends your engine is safe.

[Ken]

Thanks for the encouragement Mike. I actually think it’s throwing that high pressure code when it is to big a hunk of crap to inject. Or filters to clogged to get the proper fuel amount or pressure to that injector. Actually the guy at Prevost said that’s a code that often goes with bad fuel problems. Well I will keep plenty of filters and see if I can’t run most of it on through. Running it lower than 1/4 tank will let air in the generator and aqua hot I was in the excavation business many years ago so I do know how to bleed it out if I get air in it. I would like to run it way down and then pump what’s left out the filler pipe. Then put about 30 gallons in run it a bit and charge filters and see if that doesn’t fix it. Ironic just a few months ago talked to a guy had an American coach the algae was so bad it looked like jelly so he tells me and I said to myself glad that didn’t happen to me. Well here I am enjoying the algae mess. Thanks again for the words of wisdom I will let everyone know how it turns out in a few months.

[Duane]

Algae, or whatever the sediment is called, is not only in the fuel, but on the tank walls. It is likely organic so an algaecide will kill it and cause what is on the tank walls to slough off. That then becomes the debris clogging fuel filters.

To create that organic mess moisture is required. The key steps however begin with cleaning the tank after material has been added to kill the material and get it to slough from the tank walls. Fuel polishing works. It is a simple process in which a fuel pickup line is inserted into the fuel tank and the fuel drawn into it is run through a series of filters to remove the sediment, and is then returned to the fuel tank. Polishing also removes all moisture.

You can do what Prevost suggests but make sure your credit cards have high limits.

Prevention is the final stage. Keep moisture from the tank. Moisture accumulates as the tank breathes air in. The moisture (humidity) in the air condenses and that small amount of moisture falls to the bottom of the tank. But if the fuel tank is usually full, the amount of air it can contain above the fuel is very little so any condensed moisture will also be very little. If the temperatures where the bus is stored don’t vary, or vary very little then the tank is not breathing in moisture laden air because it is not warming and cooling.

Unless the filters have gotten so clogged debris is bypassing them, it is likely the injectors have another issue. It is not uncommon to have injector issues, and if you do it is strongly suggested to replace all at once.

[Mike]

Thanks for the info now where would I get the fuel polished? Also I was thinking the same thing you told me this morning that the injector is a separate issue. Funny thing is when all this began on my last trip I changed the filters and the bus ran fine for 200 miles and all of a sudden loss of power and check engine light came on I pulled off the road drained the separator. Then we had no more issues fro another 150 miles. But I changed the filters again a couple hundred more miles and I was still having injector code and miss issues. I had to have an injector replaced last year I should have done them all, but hindsight is 20/20. I have changed the filters again I haven’t driven it yet but if the injector code comes right back with in a few miles I would guess need to replace it. They did not run the rack when they replaced the last injector which goes again everything I know about engines. I do know I will be more vigilant about keeping the tank full and treated when I put it in the bus barn. I appreciate any more help or advise you have I been doing this a long time but never had the algae issue. Things can get very confusing when more than one thing happens at a time. Thanks again

[Mike, 92 Country Coach]

I wish someone who knows how will tell me how to get this site to let me post avatar and info. I have tried everything I know how to, even getting my son involved. thanks

[Chuck & Katrina]

Detroit says a 7m micron filter is recommended. I am running a 1 micron filter..

Why is a 7 recommended and not a lower rating?

---

2000 Featherlite H3-45

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Leesburg, FL

[Jon]

I delivered a brand new 140′ yacht with 12,500 gal fuel capacity a few years ago. I actually crawled in the tanks before they were filled the first time to make sure the tanks were cleaned of any construction debris. We fueled 3 times during the delivery from tanker trucks. Upon arrival at the final destination we had debris in the filters. Because the Yacht was brand new and being delivered to it’s new owner, we drained the tanks and opened the inspection hatches. There was rust, algae,& water in the bottom of the tanks.

Fueling took place in Canada and the East cost of the U.S.

Moral of the story, you can do everything right to keep your tanks clean and still get dirty fuel from the point of delivery. Yes even from the tanker truck straight from the fuel depot.

Chuck

[Jon]

George, 1 micron filter is too small. Your Fuel pump is overworking itself.

[Kirk]

Exactly Chuck, Put the bus in gear and get down the road.