Fuel filter looked good... but

[John Z]

 Reading another thread about starting problems convinced me to post this. My 6-71 was acting up this summer. It would start right up and die 4 or 5 seconds later. A couple more tries and it would catch and run. After this happened the third time, I pulled the fuel fitters. They looked fine and I put them back on. My bus has always been a good starter. After the fifth or sixth occurrence, I pulled the primary filter again. It looked perfect, but I decided to empty it into a clean ice cream bucket. Nothing but clean fuel.     For some unknown reason, I dumped the bucket, and refilled the filter. I filled it to the top through the large center hole.  Then I noticed the outer part of the filter wasn't full. It took another cup or so to fill the outer part. I got a new filter and filled it through the center hole, and of course the entire filter filled up right away. Starting problem solved.    I don't know if the bio diesel, or Power Service, had loosened up something new, I'm used to my filters looking half full of tar when they need to be replaced. I now know you can't judge a filter by looking at it, or the fuel in it.

[MC8Mike]

I would suspect you got a slug of water in your tank, water will cause the filter element to swell and not let the water pass into the pump and injectors.

[John Z]

Thanks. Yeah, that could have happened. I ran the fuel tank down to the lowest level, in the 8 yrs I've had it.

[chessie4905]

    If feasible, you might consider pulling the fuel tank and do a thorough cleaning. 55 years of fuel oil can accumulate a lot of build up. Could save money in long run from fewer filter changes. I did this to both my coaches. It is amazing how much crud builds up.

[John Z]

Yeah Chessie, that's how the fuel level got so low. I ran it down in order to pull the tank out. I wanted to rebuild the supports underneath it. That task is still on my list, as I didn't get it done this summer.