Large amount of water in Diesel - how to get it out?

[KimoTheBJ40]

Hey guys- my dad called me yesterday in a panic. I guess he filled his front loader snow plow with 5 gallons of water. Long story on this mistake was made. I’m going to blame the Coronavirus and let him off the hook.

It’s an older loader. Not sure if there is a diesel/water separator installed or not.

Any suggestions on removing the water without having to dispose of the other 35 gallons of diesel that was in the tank?

Build a large separator?

Any advice would be great. He is freaking out.

 

[Gengis]

Let it stand for a few hours in a container where you can tap off at the lowest point, then drain the water off through a clear pipe until you see the diesel coming through.

 

[KimoTheBJ40]

Let it stand for a few hours in a container where you can tap off at the lowest point, then drain the water off through a clear pipe until you see the diesel coming through.

In theory if there was a low point drain on his fuel tank it would act the same as your suggestion correct? Once the water settles to the bottom, drain till you see diesel, celebrate?

 

[Gengis]

Ja, that should do the trick. I would use the remaining diesel up nice and quick though, there will be a small ammount of water in it , and you don't want it to stand in a IP for a season or anything like that. If its a modern common rail electronic injector engin, then rather not use the diesel, sell it to someone with an old B or H with an inline pump.

 

[roalco]

IMHO (I'm a retired marine engineer, we see water in fuel all the time) for a simple small batch, he's better off draining (or pumping it out) the tank in its entirety, and putting it into a clean 45 gal drum. The diesel and water will separate, but time and warmth are your friend for simple gravity separation. Keep decanting the water off the bottom daily, until the draw seems to be clear fuel. Then give it a few more days and try decanting again. And as others have said, better not to run the recovered diesel in a common rail system, they are hyper sensitive to entrained moisture killing the HPFP.

 

[KimoTheBJ40]

Thanks guys. My dad drained it, bleed all the fuel lines, replaced the filter, refilled and got it working! Appreciate the help!