Dirty Fuel resolution

mmmmmmmmm...dunno about the dirt part but my chemistry days would make me think that the 'meths' would maybe acting as a water 'scavenger' and absorb a small amount of moisture perhaps... And I would suggest if in fact the 'metho' was acting as a 'scavenger' then the clear without Pyridene (the purple stuff) would be better....IPA (Iso Propyl Alcohol) would do it (absorb moisture) better.

Rob H

I don't have the specific answer and I have heard of most ideas. Sounds like an urban myth but could stand corrected. I think metho was once added to deisel to make up extra fuel because it was cheaper and assisted with cold starting. If your using petrol or diesel in the circumstances I wouldn't be relying on anything but a good funnel with a fine filter the fuel and using it. Also make sure you have a good fuel filter in the vehicle. For diesels there are after market pre-filters and water traps that can be installed between the fuel tanks and the vehicles primary fuel filter. Most of these come with a clear bowl and these will trap most particlulates and any water before it gets to your primary filter. They are about $180 / $200 fitted at most. Hopefully the primary filter will also do what it is meant to do providing it is changed regularly. These pre filters have the advantage of having a clear bowl and if placed in the right position can be viewed and emptied of any rubish and water before it can do any damage.

Metho is what we used in the old days in petrol or diesel to remove the moisture in the fuel. Now-a-days fuel additives can be purchace relitavely cheaply that do the same thing. However I don't believe that it would have any effect on the dirt in the fuel , for that a good filter is required!!!!!!!

Brian

Rob, As those above said - metho is used (sort of) to remove/reduce the water. Filters are used to remove dirt. Additives are used to break down the 'bugs' in diesel to help them move through into the filter. If it is a petrol then it will still burn only a bit rough. If it is a diesel it will eventually starve of fuel. If one of these new computer controlled petrol/diesels then the O2 sensor will tell the computer to sort itself out and then go into limp mode - and if no limp mode then hope you have plenty of filters handy. rgds

Rob,
A good idea if you think the fuel may be dirty, is to leave at least 10%-20% of fuel in the tank. If you use the last few percent, the fuel sloshing around stirs up even more sediment, and can block the filter a lot quicker.

And carry at least one spare fuel filter,

Hooroo...

I use a product called " Diesel power plus" & it does what it says on the package. It costs about $30 a litre but I only need about 25 ml per tank so it is ecomomical. I get better power when towing and I get better cold weather starts. The main ingredient is Iso butyl alchohol....

Metho will have no effect on dirt - only a good filter will catch that. If you're really worried about it consider installing a second filter. Metho in petrol (and I assume diesel) mixes with the water allowing it to get through the system without too many hassles.
If the fuel in the stations and roadhouses is so dirty how do you reckon the locals keep on trucking?