Mopar1973

My aunt is converting her house from oil heat of gas and offered us the remainder of her diesel to fuel our toys, but the cap was left off for about an hour and i'd be naiive to think water didn't get in there. Is there anything i can do to separate the water from the fuel? Its approx 150 gallons. Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Lightman46

Let it set water will go to the bottom then drain from bottom until all water is out or pump from the top with out putting hose all the way to the bottom of the tank

Mopar1973

ok thanks, is any water in the fuel bad for the lift pump? sounds stupid but i figure its worth asking

Lightman46

A little water wont damage the lift pump but you don't want any water to get to the injection pump thats why the trucks have fuel water separator filters but they only remove so much water.

Mopar1973

it was maybe an hours worth of drizzle in a 150 gallon tank, would this be considered substantial?

Santaclaus

If it is like most fuel oil tanks they pull their oil from the bottom at one end. Jack up the other end to further the better so long as fuel doesn't run out the top. Let it sit for at least a week and during some fuel out into a clear container. You should easily be a loose sea water in the fuel separate in the bottom of the container. If you have a concern because you don't see any add little to the water and look for the separation. It will only take a minute at the most two separate such you can see it. Obviously if you do not see any separation you have pure water. Continue to drain until you get a separation. Chances are there is a lot of condensation in the tank just from age. Keep at it until you get clean fuel. Just my two cents, Mike.

1-2-3

How many gallons are you talking about? it may not be worth it.

Mopar1973

Very late with this response, but its about 175 gallons of diesel

kawi600

Doesnt sound like theres going to be a lot of water in there. Id get a water-blocking element in a filter and polish the fuel by pumping it thru a few times. A couple plastic barrels, a diesel compatible fuel pump, some hose and filter would do it.