Fuel in bowl turning cream colored

Really sorry to hear that.

try running engine from a remote fuel source (portable tank) then check return line to see if it cleans up. How does the engine oil  and coolant <span style=”display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,’Times New Roman’,’Bitstream Charter’,Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;”>look?</span><b></b><i></i><u></u>

Did you change the fuel filter and clean the sediment bowl when you drained the tank? Did you clean the tank or just drain it out?

Cream color could indicate water or air in the fuel. Try draining some out into a clear (clean) container and let it sit. If it is air it should clear up after sitting undisturbed a few days. If it is water, it should separate out after a while.

Have you checked the radiator to see if the coolant is clean? I don’t know of any way coolant could get into the fuel system.

Have you checked the engine oil to see what it looks like and if the level has changed?

Have you checked the oil in the injection pump? My injection pump leaks fuel into the crankcase of the pump. Not a lot but I suppose it could go the other way if the circumstances were right. In any case, I just change the pump oil when I change engine oil and leave the overflow uncapped so any excess can drain out.

It sounds like you are using un-dyed road fuel. Do you know what grade it is? #1 or some kind of winter blend? Maybe an additive issue?

If you can’t find the source, your only choice will be to thoroughly clean everything in the fuel system at the same time. Don’t forget to clean the tank or can you transport and store with either. Then start over with fresh fuel. I would add a biocide to make sure you don’t get diesel bugs.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

You found blue diesel fuel, lucky you.
Diesel fuels are classified by the type of use, amount of sulfur emissions and tax category. Clear (yellow or green tint) diesel, having low sulfur and carrying the full tax, is for highway users and is the most expensive. Blue diesel, which is higher in sulfur and tax exempt, is for use in commercial boats, trains and some farm equipment; it is the least expensive. Falling in between is red diesel, which is lower in sulfur than blue, tax free and meant for buses, government vehicles and off-road use.

Bob,

That is interesting about the blue fuel. Around here (upper prairies) all we ever see is clear or red. Don’t get caught with traces of red in you on road vehicle!

I think you will likely only find blue diesel around larger agricultural communities.