tkey144
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I have a 350 ISC Cummings that started missing and then shut down on me. The repair facility said the lift pump was fouled up with algea from the fuel tank.
Has anyone else had this problem and any recommendations for eliminating this problem?
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marvmarcy
Polson, MT, USA
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If you've accumulated enough black gunk in the fuel to foul the lift pump, you probably will have to drain and clean the tank and flush the fuel lines. You must have been going through fuel filters like crazy. Fortunately, the filter should prevent the gunk from messing up the injector pump and injectors.
Since you didn't mention the fuel filter being plugged up, I would inquire further of the mechanic to be sure what is really going on. Have you used bio fuel? That has solvents that break loose sludge in the fuel system, but it would also show up in plugged fuel filters.
Can you get more info on this?
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Forum Technical Support to Tech Issues.
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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You might need the fuel "scrubbed" (filtered) any marina that's set up to work on diesels knows what that is. Basically they run the fuel through a filter and return it to the tank without the algae.
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BIKERK9
Santa Cruz, CA
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With operating diesels for over 20 years on land and sea, I have never had that problem. Besides having quality filters I always add diesel fuel conditioner. If your not using it, you should. Also I never leave my tanks less than a quarter full as that invites condensation.
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msjdbman
SW Michigan
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Man, sorry to hear of your troubles. I`ve been thru this myself with 2 pieces of heavy equipment and it ain`t no fun. When the painstaking and costly job of getting the entire fuel system cleaned out is done, add fuel conditioners as recommended. But make sure those conditioners contain an algeacide. Good luck, and make sure you bring the vaseline along cause it`s gonna hurt.
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wolfe10
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Your signature does not show where you live. If in an area with diesel powered boats, look up FUEL POLISHER and have them come out. What they do is bring a separate fuel pump and huge filter system and recirculate the fuel until clean.
Certainly, the tank can also be drained, cleaned and refilled.
Also add a diesel BIOCIDE available at any marine store. Just follow directions on label.
And always store diesel tanks FULL to reduce condensation that can lead to algae/bacteria growth.
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Dave H M
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Not being in the know I wonder how algae can get thru the system/filters and then clog up something like the pressures that are present in an injection system? 
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Ajones42
North Texas
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tkey144 wrote:I have a 350 ISC Cummings that started missing and then shut down on me. The repair facility said the lift pump was fouled up with algea from the fuel tank.
Has anyone else had this problem and any recommendations for eliminating this problem?
Once you get the fuel system cleaned out, a few maintenance procedures practiced consistently will keep the problem from reoccurring.
1. Clean fuel from a high volume jobber.
2. Fuel tank always near full when parked to prevent condensation.
3. Fuel/water separator drained according to manufacturer specs. Mine says whenever the tank is filled, the separator is to be drained.
4. Use of quality filters changed as recommended OR semi-annually.
5. The use of a quality diesel fuel conditioner that contains a biocide.
More here....
The Care and Feeding of Older Diesel Engines
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