Contaminated Diesel

[shinnery]

I am looking at buying a 98 Dodge 24V Cummins pickup that is reported to have a contaminated tank and lines. I assume this is what I would have called "algae" before I started doing some reading. How hard is it likely to be to clean this up/out? Can the tank and lines be pulled off and steam cleaned or? What about the lift pump, filters, VP44 injection pump and injectors? Cleaned somehow or go to injector shop? Thanks in advance for any help.
Bryce

[shinnery]

Does not matter anymore. I was overbid. Somebody wanted it about $1500 more than I had.
Bryce

[kevin moschenrose]

Bryce, I have not heard of this before! Tell me more about this kinda problem! This is kinda interesting to me.

[minniemobuddha]

my understanding of it is as follows;there is an algae that thrives in diesel,and its found in storage tanks that havent been cleaned,or havent seen a lot of use,and the fuel just sits there.it'blooms'when introduced to fresh diesel.i dont know what eliminates it,but do know its a pain.

[shinnery]

Kevin
If you google "diesel algae" about half the responses are about making biodiesel from algae and half are about selling equipment to clean your contaminated fuel system and they give some background on the problem. Apparently it has gotten worse as they try to crack more diesel from a barrel of crude.
Bryce

[yousesteers]

From my understanding Diesel algae grows in the layer between the fuel and water in tanks there are some fuel treatments to get rid of it but for the most part it is a good cleaning

[Jon]

The tank would have to come out and get cleaned, lift pump and lines cleaned, or updated to the in-tank lift pump kit from dodge, then you would need to check the fuel filter, take it out and shine a light into the bottom of the housing, if there is more than a teaspoon or two of water, take it off and clean it. if water has been in the system a long time and has been run that way a while, you may end up replacing the injectors, the injector tubes, lines and in extreme cases, even the injector pump. any rust in these items will absolutely kill your injection. there is a test we use for the injectors, just measure the injector return while running for 30 seconds. if it is over 75 ml in 30 sec. there is an issue with one or more injectors. if it is less, then do a high pressure bypass return check.
I know you didn't get the truck, but maybe you'll find another one and need to know this stuff.