Kev. replied:

Sorry i dont have a answer for your question but just suprised you have that problem in a vehicle less than a year old.
I may be wrong but i thought algae was something that grows over time with poor quality / old fuel or rarely used tanks.

Where do you live as i would not like to buy fuel there?
Good luck

Kev.

Will replied:

Kevin,
The reports from Ron Moon on that site are positive, he only had 17000kms too when he got a bad load of diesel.

I was told that running the tank to very empty regularly helps...

Will

surveyor replied:

I have encountered diesel algaes in brand new tanks etc, can be delivered by contaminated source, and spreads like, well.. bacteria..
Additives to 'disinfect' and doubling up/duplicating filtration systems works for industry, but regular use of competent diesel additives and filter changes at every service can control it for domestic vehicles.

IAMGQ replied:

I just know we should always keep the tank full to minimize any water condensation. I know it may be quite difficult espeically the price of diesel is so high now but as least keep it half full.

Does water also promote the growth of algae ? If so, we really should keep it filled as much as possible then.

hoffy replied:

Kevin,
I copped a load of contaminated fuel in my GU 3.0l which knocked the power around badly.
I replaced the filter then treated the tank with a product called Diesel Fuel Biocide BC-250. One 100ml bottle added just prior to filling made a huge improvement. A second treatment fixed the problem completely.
Costs about $5.00 a treatment.If you can't find it at a servo try your local fuel depot. Apparently truckies use it by the bucket full

Mr Bean replied:

I think the best info that us ludites can give you is to go and see "Derrick"
at Qby Diesel and get the guff from him. I would also consider changing fuel sources as if one shell in the area has algae then its a fair chance that there are others as well. ie Tugg, Fysh, Woden, etc as the same tanker would have filled them all.

Member - Kevin replied:

Thanks to all who offered advice.

Since the initial problem I have not had the problem again - I just quickly cleaned the filter and replaced it and am still on the same tank of fuel. Cummins Diesel, who service all my diesel generators at work, recommended an additive product called Fuel Doctor available from Supercheap. An aussie company from Queensland - www.fueldoctors.com.au - manufactures the product. I spoke with them and will give Fuel Doctor a go along with a new filter this weekend.

Fuel Doctors did advise that the only way to be certain there is no water in the bottom of the tank for algae to grow in is to remove the tank and totally drain it - a painful job in a GU Patrol. This is because the Patrol main tank doesn't have a drain plug and also doesn't draw fuel from the lowest part of the tank and it is possible that several litres of water could permanently 'live' in the bottom and never get drawn through the fuel system. Any additive could basicall conjeal in this pool of water and the resultant mass of gunge might cause more serious problems as it breaks up. The Patrol auxilliary tank doesn't have this problem according to Fuel Doctors (on advice from Nissan) and when emptied it is indeed empty.

However, I don't want to take the main tank out unless absolutely necessary so will follow the standard Fuel Doctor treatment and closely monitor filter condition and vehicle performance. If it doesn't seenm to be working I will take out the tank and go from there.

I decided against the magnetic fuel conditioners for the time being - mainly because there is no room in the engine bay to mount another unit the size of the Nissan fuel filter (the De-Bug unit is that size, the Algae-X unit slightly smaller) as I have ABS brakes and the main ABS unit takes up the space both of these devices would normally be fitted into. And also cost - they are expensive.

Thanks again.

Kevin

rlbye replied:

Just reading some of the replies and with my own experience(limited)I think maybe we have a common occurence...with my own Patrol , same dirty fuel and gunk problem early in life of vehicle, and you should have seen some of the crap that was in the standard fuel filter(since fitted a sight glass)bits of hair ,metal bits ,slime..maybe the hair and stuff is from manufacture but the algae could be from only little quantity of fuel that is put in vehicle at time of manufacture, then sits around for months with no movement...any other ideas from anyone

rickwagupatrol replied:

okay boys and girls, enough of all this silly nonsence( hehehahaha). :)
time for all you city folk to learn a very simple bush trick taught to me when i was a little lad of eight, living in the topend on a station.

are we ready now cause here we go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:)




ALWAYS CARRY A FEW SPARE PAIRS OF PANTYHOSE WHEN OUT AND ABOUT (even in the city).
it takes a bit longer to fill your tank, but all you do is fold a pair over themselves a few times, place over the fuel nozzle( hold by hand or use a elastic band).
this acts as a primary filter, removing a large amount of contaminants
( and by the way, the finer the holes, the more you get)
the other option is cheesecloth, doing the same thing.

rick

David replied:

Have been using a BP product called Diesel GO for about 10 years now, you add about 1ml for every litre of Diesel, before refuelling.
Have never had a problem with blocked filters/algae in that time- that MAY be the reason...