Hydrophilic coalescer membranes do attract water and allow diesel to pass, causing droplets to merge and fall out by gravity.

But they only remove free and emulsified water — not dissolved water.

The widely advertised “99.99% water removal” is a marketing claim, not a field verified spec.

Actual published data shows:

•             99.5% single pass removal at 5 microns

•             Efficiency drops sharply with:

•             Biodiesel blends (B20 holds 3–4× more dissolved water than B5)

•             Surfactants in ULSD and additives

•             Microbial byproducts

•             High solids loads

Because biodiesel is hygroscopic and modern diesel contains surfactants, 99.99% is only achievable in ideal lab fuel, not real world diesel.

Why Dieselcraft Outperforms Coalescers

Proprietary Media (Unique Advantage)

Dieselcraft is the only purifier using a proprietary media bed engineered to:

•             Break water out of suspension

•             Capture heavy solids

•             Stabilize flow

•             Increase separation efficiency

This media:

•             Is not a filter

•             Does not plug

•             Never needs replacement

No coalescer or filter system offers an equivalent mechanism.

Immune to Coalescer Failure Modes

Coalescers fail when exposed to:

•             Surfactants in ULSD

•             Biodiesel blends

•             Additives

•             Microbial growth

•             High particulate loads

Dieselcraft’s purifier is unaffected by all of these.

It maintains performance in real‑world diesel, not just clean test fuel.

Consistent, Long Term Performance

Coalescers degrade as:

•             Elements load

•             Membranes saturate

•             Flow changes

•             Additives reduce coalescing

Dieselcraft remains stable because:

•             No media to saturate

•             No element to plug

•             No chemical sensitivity

•             No flow dependent coalescing behavior

It performs the same on day 1 and day 1,000.

Bottom Line

The Dieselcraft Fuel Purifier is superior because it is:

•             Filter less

•             Low maintenance

•             Highly efficient

•             Unaffected by modern diesel chemistry

•             Designed for realm world contamination

•             Proven to reduce engine wear and extend service intervals

It is the only purifier combining mechanical separation with a proprietary media bed, delivering unmatched reliability and performance. MORE INFO

The post Coalescer Technology: What Works and What Fails in the Field appeared first on Dieselcraft.

What It Is

• A water‑absorbing insert designed for diesel tanks in vehicles, generators, boats, RVs, farm equipment, and storage tanks.
• Typically shaped like a pouch, sock, or small cylinder.
• Made from super‑absorbent polymers that selectively absorb water — not diesel fuel.
• Includes a retrieval cord so it can be easily removed and inspected.
• Must be checked periodically and replaced once saturated.

How It Works
Water naturally accumulates in diesel tanks through:

• Condensation
• Contaminated fuel deliveries
• Long‑term storage
  Once placed in the tank:

1. The absorber sinks to the bottom where water collects.
2. It pulls in and traps free water molecules.
3. When it reaches its rated capacity (e.g., 7.2 oz), it stops absorbing.
4. You remove it, discard it, and replace it with a fresh one.

Why It Matters
Water in diesel can lead to:

• Injector damage
• Microbial growth (“diesel algae”)
• Rust and corrosion inside tanks
• Hard starts, rough running, or power loss
• Fuel filter clogging
  A water absorber helps prevent these issues without adding chemicals to your fuel.

Typical Use Cases

• Long‑term storage tanks
• Backup generators
• Boats and RVs
• Farm equipment
• Diesel trucks that sit unused for extended periods

How to Use It

1. Drop the absorber into the tank through the filler neck.
2. Make sure the retrieval cord stays accessible.
3. Leave it in place during storage or operation.
4. Check periodically and replace when saturated.

More info at

The post Diesel Tank Water Absorbers: Protect Your Fuel and Engine appeared first on Dieselcraft.

1. Corrosion and Rust Water speeds up oxidation on metal surfaces (tanks, lines, pumps, injectors), forming rust. Rust particles become abrasive contaminants that accelerate wear throughout the system.
2. Microbial Growth (“Diesel Bug”) Bacteria, fungi, and yeasts flourish at the water-fuel interface in the tank bottom. They consume diesel hydrocarbons, multiply rapidly, produce acidic byproducts (further corroding components), and form slimy biomass/sludge. This clogs filters and lines, while dead microbes add more particulates.
3. Loss of Lubricity and Increased Wear Diesel provides natural lubrication for high-pressure fuel pumps and injectors. Water dilutes this lubricity, leading to friction, scoring, erosion, cavitation (pitting), spalling, and premature failure—especially in modern common-rail systems.
4. Engine Performance and Combustion Issues
   • Hard starting, rough idling, misfires, stalling, or complete shutdowns (water doesn’t combust properly).
   • Power loss, poor acceleration, reduced fuel efficiency, and higher emissions.
   • In severe cases: Hydro-lock (water in cylinders), injector tip explosion, pump cavitation, or catastrophic damage.
5. Filter Clogging and System Blockages Sludge, biomass, rust, and particulates quickly plug fuel filters, restricting flow and starving the engine of fuel—often leading to sudden failures.
6. Long-Term and Costly Consequences Accelerated wear shortens engine/component life, skyrockets maintenance and repair expenses (e.g., injector or high-pressure pump replacements can run thousands of dollars), and increases downtime risks.

In essence, water doesn’t just sit harmlessly—it creates a snowball effect of degradation, especially in stored, standby, or infrequently used systems (generators, marine vessels, backup tanks, etc.). Prevention is key: Regular fuel maintenance—including water testing, stabilizers/biocides (used judiciously), effective water separators, good tank hygiene, and periodic polishing with tools like your purifier product—removes water early, stabilizes the fuel, and avoids most issues.

https://dieselcraft.com/portable-fuel-polishing/

The post Problems Caused by Water in Diesel Fuel and How to Prevent Them appeared first on Dieselcraft.

The post WARNING: Fuel Problem – Algae in the Tank and Plugged Filters! appeared first on Dieselcraft.

1. Microbial Contamination: Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast can thrive in fuel storage tanks, especially in the presence of water and nutrients. Microbial growth can lead to the formation of biomass, sludge, and corrosive byproducts, which degrade fuel quality and compromise engine performance.
2. Water Contamination: Water can enter fuel storage tanks through condensation, leaks, or inadequate tank sealing. Water contamination promotes microbial growth, causes fuel oxidation, and facilitates the separation of fuel-water emulsions, leading to fuel instability and corrosion of tank components.
3. Oxidation: Exposure to air and oxygen promotes oxidation reactions in fuel, resulting in the formation of gum, varnish, and insoluble deposits. Oxidative degradation causes fuel to darken, thicken, and develop a foul odor, reducing its combustion efficiency and engine performance.
4. Chemical Reactions: Fuel degradation can occur due to chemical reactions between fuel components, additives, and contaminants present in the storage environment. Reactions such as hydrolysis, polymerization, and acid-base reactions can alter fuel composition, viscosity, and stability, leading to engine fouling and corrosion.
5. Temperature Fluctuations: Temperature fluctuations in storage tanks can accelerate fuel degradation processes by promoting water condensation, microbial activity, and chemical reactions. Extreme temperatures can also cause fuel to expand or contract, leading to tank corrosion and structural damage.
6. Light Exposure: Exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can accelerate fuel degradation by promoting oxidative reactions and photochemical degradation of fuel components. Light exposure can degrade fuel quality, reduce its shelf life, and compromise engine performance over time.
7. Contaminant Buildup: Accumulation of contaminants such as rust, sediment, and debris in storage tanks can accelerate fuel degradation by catalyzing chemical reactions, promoting microbial growth, and clogging fuel filters and delivery systems.

To mitigate fuel degradation in storage tanks, it’s essential to implement preventive measures such as:

• Regular fuel testing and analysis to monitor fuel quality and detect signs of degradation.
• Proper tank maintenance, including cleaning, inspection, and corrosion prevention measures.
• Implementing fuel additives and stabilizers to inhibit oxidation, microbial growth, and chemical degradation.
• Installing tank vents, filters, and water separators to prevent water ingress and remove contaminants.
• Implementing storage tank management practices such as proper tank design, ventilation, and temperature control to minimize degradation risks.

By addressing these factors and implementing proactive maintenance and monitoring practices, industries can minimize the impact of fuel degradation in storage tanks, ensure fuel quality, and maintain the reliability and performance of their equipment and vehicles. MORE INFO

Contact Dieselcraft to discuss your fuel issues and testing. Call or Text 530 613 2150 Email sales@dieselcraft.com

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1. Filtration: The fuel is passed through a series of filters to remove solid particles, such as dirt, rust, or microbial contaminants. These filters can range from coarse to fine, depending on the level of filtration required.
2. Water Separation: Water is a common issue in stored fuel, and it can cause corrosion, microbial growth, and fuel degradation. Fuel polishing systems often include water separators that separate and remove free water from the fuel.
3. Decontamination: Some fuel polishing systems incorporate technologies, such as centrifuges or coalescers, to remove microbial contamination or emulsified water from the fuel. These technologies help break down and remove microbial organisms or emulsified water, ensuring cleaner fuel.
4. Fuel Conditioning: Fuel conditioning additives may be used to enhance the stability, lubricity, and combustion characteristics of the fuel. These additives can improve the fuel’s performance and extend its shelf life.
5. Testing: After the fuel polishing process, samples of the polished fuel may be taken for laboratory testing. This testing helps verify the fuel’s quality, including its cleanliness, water content, and compliance with specifications.

Fuel polishing is particularly important for stored fuels that are not frequently used, such as emergency backup generators, stored fuel tanks, or equipment that operates seasonally. By removing contaminants and water, fuel polishing helps prevent clogged filters, fuel injector issues, engine damage, and other problems associated with poor fuel quality.

Regular fuel polishing as part of a preventive maintenance program can help ensure the reliability and longevity of engines and equipment that rely on stored fuel. The frequency of fuel polishing depends on factors such as fuel usage, storage conditions, and the fuel’s susceptibility to contamination or degradation.

The post What is Fuel Polishing? appeared first on Dieselcraft.

Where did I get the water? Check the fill port gasket and vents to see if that is how the water entered the tanks.

Water may have been delivered to you but it is hard to prove without going back to the source and inspecting their supply.

Drain the separator and keep a sample of the fuel. Letting the boat sit for a day or two and restart the engine. Compare what you see in the separator now with the sample you kept. If the problem came from water on the tank bottom, after sitting for two days in calm waters the fuel should clear up.

After assuming water is on the bottom of the tanks we must get it out. Steel Camel,  https://www.steelcamel.com/, has a water absorbing sock that will work if you can get it into the tank. Or we must find a way to get a pickup tube to the bottom and suck out the water. No telling of there is 1 gallon of 20 gallons of water on the bottom.

To clean what you have is to install a Dieselcraft Fuel Purifier followed by the Racor and recirculate for as long as it take, 8 hours, and the fuel should clear up.

DO NOT add any additive. Some additive promote “allows the water to be burned off.” Water burns? Engine manufacturers allow ZERO water in the fuel, burnable or not. ZERO water. The only way to remove the water is a mechanical purifier/separator, absorbing media or a vacuum cleaner but not burning.

MORE INFO

The post Cloudy Boat Fuel? How to Protect Your Engine and Restore Fuel Quality appeared first on Dieselcraft.

Diesel fuel starts to degrade and become contaminated within 28 days of storage. Typically, fuel can be stored 6–12 months, but without proper care, its quality will decline.

To maximize storage life, many companies recommend:

• Keep fuel cool, ideally around 70°F
• Treat with biocides and stabilizers
• Maintain tanks per NFPA 110 standards

According to NFPA 110, diesel “Storage Life” is 1.5 to 2 years. Tanks should be sized so fuel is consumed within that period, or stale fuel must be replaced.

The Most Critical Step: Keep Water Out

Water is the number one killer of stored diesel fuel. It encourages microbial growth, leading to bacteria, sludge, and engine damage.

• No water = no bacteria
• No bacteria = no need for biocides

Regular fuel polishing is the most effective way to remove water, sediment, and microbes—but it can be expensive.

Deciding on Fuel Management

Consider your fuel volume:

• 200 gallons vs 5,000 gallons – costs and methods vary.
• Decide if contracting a fuel polishing service or investing in a machine makes the most sense for your operation.

Meanwhile, for small tanks, simple devices can quickly remove water and prevent early contamination.

Buy Here

For the chemical treatment to stabilize the fuel this is the BEST!

Buy Here

The post Protect Your Stored Diesel Fuel: Prevent Contamination and Engine Damage appeared first on Dieselcraft.

The color of fuel indicates the fuels age or bacteria growth. The dark color is coming from one or the other.

To fix old diesel remove the water first.

Less than 50 gallons of fuel consider Mr Funnel to remove the water.

Once the water is gone he can then filter out the solids. BUT filtering may take LOTS of filters so we are back to how many gallons do we have?

If you have an older engine with mechanical injection as long as the big solids are removed the engine will be fine…but get the water out…no engines like water.

If you have hundreds of gallons you need to use an additive to speed up the cleaning and a fuel “polishing” service or machine. http://dieselcraft.com/fuel-tank-cleaning-chemicals/

The post My Diesel Fuel is Black – Causes and Solutions appeared first on Dieselcraft.

Common Issues in Stored Diesel Fuel

Stored fuel can develop:

• Water
• Microbial growth (aka diesel bugs)
• Bacteria and biofilm
• Rust
• Dirt and sediment

Any of these contaminants can lead to engine failure at the most inconvenient times.

Symptoms of Diesel Fuel Contamination

Signs that your fuel may be compromised include:

• Clogged fuel filters
• Fuel system failure
• Worn or damaged fuel injectors
• Corroded tanks
• Engine failure

Protect Your Diesel Fuel and Equipment

A portable fuel polisher can clean your fuel on-site, keeping water, microbes, and sediment under control. Regular fuel polishing reduces downtime, prevents costly repairs, and extends the life of your equipment.

Contact Dieselcraft today to learn more about portable fuel polishing machines.

The post Fuel Polishing for Diesel Fuel: Remove Contamination and Protect Engines appeared first on Dieselcraft.