PSA: 3 fuel filters in 2 months taught me a nasty lesson about algae in diesel

I run a 2012 F-350 for my hauling gig. Last fall I started getting rough idle. Threw a filter on it. Cleared up for two weeks. Then it clogged again. Took the old filter apart. Saw black slime. That's diesel bug. Algae grows in water sitting in the tank. Especially if your truck sits for days like mine. I ignored it for too long. Now I'm running biocide and draining the separator every week. Has anyone else had this stuff ruin a filter overnight?

2 comments

2 Comments

terry_bailey351mo ago

Algae in diesel is real but kinda overblown. Run some biocide if it bothers you. Most guys I know just change filters and move on.

the_beth1mo ago

@terry_bailey35 says most guys just change filters and move on, but how often are you actually checking your tank for water? I pulled 2 cups of water out of my separator last week, and that was after treating with biocide for a month. If they're not draining regularly, those filter changes are just throwing money at a problem that's getting worse.