Is the new superclean diesel too dry?

I had an injector completely plugged and not firing. I put in howes and it cleared the injector up after a week. So I know from experience that howes is a great additive for injectors.

 

I used Howes when I was OTR. Usually in the reefer to keep the fuel from gelling.

 

Since I have your ear PackRat, I would like to ask you, or anyone else within ear shot, a question that's been bugging the heck out of me for some time now.

Now, please don't speak over my head and only use laymen terms please, because I'm presently limited in my knowledge of mechanics and big rig specifications.

Question! Do all big rigs with duel fuel tanks come from the manufacture with crossover fuel lines between the tanks?

One of my trucks is a 2000 International 9400i Eagle with a 475 redtop Cummings. When I purchased it, the seller advised me to be careful, because that particular model did not have a fuel crossover line between the fuel tanks. Consequently, I must fill both tanks equally, because if one tank goes dry and the other still has, say, a quarter tank left, I'm stuck on the road as if I were completely out of fuel in both tanks. The seller also advised me that both fuel tanks had their own separate fuel pumps, thus, if one tank was dry, the combination of one pumping air and the other pumping fuel would be insufficient to run the engine. Was he b/s'ing me? I've checked on the internet with the International website with negative results. I haven't called them yet though. That was my next step, but I thought perhaps you might be more informed on that subject. I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

I've never heard of such a system. Seems kind of stupid and just asking for maintenance issues that don't need to occur, unless for some reason the chassis design prevents a crossover system.

 

Most trucks have no crossover these days. Each tank has its own supply and return line. The supply lines are "T"ed together and simple physics will cause the one fuel pump to draw from the tank that is fullest as that requires the least vacuum to draw from. The fuel pump flows way more than the engine needs so the excess is pumped into a special splitter valve designed to flow equally into the two return lines. If the splitter isn't quite equal one tank will get more, but then the supply side will always pump from the fullest tank so no problem! Now, if you run out you do have to put fuel into both tanks as physics makes the system now draw from the tank that is empty as that one is the easiest to draw from (air in this case). Once in a while I'm in a hurry and only fill one tank and it doesn't take long for them to equalize out. By the way, my system sucks the fuel up through the coarse primary filter which filters out the sticks and separates out the water. The fuel pump then pumps it through the fine secondary filter which gets the small particles that would wear out the injectors. I try to remember to crack the valve on the bottom of the primary/water separater every couple thousand miles (do that with the engine off!).

 

This answers my question spot on point, RoadRanger! I was worried that the seller may have put one over on me. Based on your splendid insights, however, it appears he was being forthright after all.

BTW (showing my ignorance), is the fuel filter you identified as the "primary/water separator", that very large cylindrical object on the side of the engine (left side for my 475 Cummings) which has that little built in hand turned facet on the bottom? And... when I drain it, like my airplane, since I believe that water is heaver than fuel and collects on the bottom, would I drain it, and continue to drain it, until I start seeing, or smelling fuel? Finally, is there any chance I could drain it too much, perhaps resulting in fuel priming problems? Please advise.

Thanks a heap for the advice RoadRanger. Most, most, helpful. (Fax me your bill @ 1800-dollardown, or 1800-dollarwhenucatchme):smt117

 

1. Yes

2&3. It's hard to get much to come out - I just drain a couple ounces and verify that it looks. feels and smells OK. You really shouldn't see any water anyways unless you got bad fuel or you sat for a few months with the tanks not full. My motor is a Detroit Series 60 and I beleive the stock primary filter is NOT a water separator - but the filter companies offer the water separator version as an upgrade. Diesel fuel can actually "suck up" a small percentage of water (as can gasoline) so a small amount of condensation in the tanks will go right through.

 

Great! Thanks RoadRanger, you put me straight.