Fuel priming pump

[Sam 4106]

Hi guys,

Minnesota now mandates 10% bio-diesel in fuel in the summer and 5% in the winter. I am on the 4th set of fuel filters for the 8V92 TA DDEC II in our MCI 8 since first filling with blended fuel last summer. I get only about 250 miles between filter changes. I turn off the valve ahead of the primary filter and have been using a garden sprayer to prime into the secondary filter housing after a filter change and can't get the air out of the system. So, the engine misses and has little power for several miles after a filter change. Am I priming in the wrong location?

I have read about putting an electric fuel pump in line.  Will that be better? If so, will someone recommend the brand and model number of the pump I should use? And where is the best place to install the pump? I have searched the archives  without finding the relevant threads so I am asking here.

I have been putting only real diesel into the tank since the second filter change but have no idea how many more filters I will have to replace before the plugging problem goes away.

Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sam MCI8

[luvrbus]

Sam the DDEC use a more volume pump than the std DD fuel pump I wouldn't use a flow through pump on that system just plumb it into the primary filter with valve to isolate the priming pump and you probably need to replace the check valve 

[eagle19952]

WTF...and SMH.

Anyone have a list of states mandating/requiring bio-diesel...

I hate ethanol too 

[ol713]

   Hi;
     Just curious,  when you changed the fuel filters,  was there
     black crud in there?  If so that is alge that grows in the tank
     when only partially full.  Then you need to treat the tank with
     stuff to kill off the alge.  You should not have to change filters
     that often.
                                         Good luck  Merle.

[Jim Eh.]

We have been running 2% here for years both summer and winter. The only difference is the refineries automatically switch to #1 sometime around the beginning of September and back to #2 end of April(ish). As far as I know, the northern part of MN has been drawing some of it's fuel from Winnipeg off and on for quite a number of years when the price and exchange is favourable that is (like now). Funny thing is, some of it comes right back to Winnipeg and is sold to the RR (CN). They have a little scam going to skirt fuel tax.

But there has been no word of irregular fuel filter service life (that I know of) tho?

[Sam 4106]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses.

Clifford, thanks for the warning about using a flow through pump. I don't think the check valve is bad. The bus sat in my shop from early Oct. until late April without loosing prime. Fired right up and ran fine until the filters plugged within 20 miles of leaving home. I will plumb the electric fuel pump as you suggest.

Donald, I would also like to know if there are other states that mandate bio-diesel blend. I do know that bio is, or was, available in Iowa and South Dakota but is not mandated. Real diesel is still available in separate pumps and the bio pumps are labeled as such.

Merle, I have cut apart the last two sets of filters and there is no black crud in them. However, there is a waxy coating on them, which, according to the petroleum guy I talked to, is from the glycerin in the bio-diesel.

Hopefully, I can get past the problem soon and enjoy the bus this summer. Thanks for the help, Sam MCI8

[luvrbus]

The Feds (EPA) Donald mandate the % one has to be hard press to find 100% diesel anywhere nowadays, always check the fine print on the pump it will surprise you they are not required by Federal law to post the % in fuel that went out the window 4 years ago