[Classic30]

Went to change out the filter (Racor glass-bowl type) today 3 weeks after dosing the tank with BC-250 Biocide against a light infestation of diesel bug and here's what the filter looked like:

Normal enough on top:

Cor blimey!

Sorry I didn't get any pics of the filter sitting on the bowl, but I wanted to clean up the mess in a hurry and didn't think to stop and take a photo.

Only the paint actually inside the bowl is affected. It looks for all the world to me like the paint on the outside of the filter cartridge isn't compatible with diesel fuel. Is this even possible? Could it be part of a faulty batch maybe?!?

I'm glad I checked it because a few flakes of paint were already sitting in the bowl ready to be sucked into the secondary filter... and it's only been three weeks since the last filter change.

 

[pdqaltair]

The paint pealing is probably a result of the major ingredient (common in paint removers):

Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether >60%

Not a US brand, so I have noted tested it and don't know anything about it. Certainly the glycol ether will help with cleaning (also common in carb cleaners), but I'm not certain how all of the system materials will react.

 

[Faster]

Must have been the biocide itself that attacked the paint.. an overdose perhaps?

Glad you caught it when you did.

 

[RichH]

Could also possibly be the result of the fuel oil containing amounts of reclaimed 'biofuel' made from used cooking oils. The chemical responsible would be the contaminant - oleic acid, a well know 'problem' in fuel oils made from and blended with reclaimed 'cooking oil'.
If such is the case, then you will also find that the 'gaskets' and O-rings made from BUNA or Neoprene would be 'softened'.

On most filters with this type of physical configuration, the 'sump' is on the upstream side of the pleat pack; therefore, such flakes and debris would be captured on the pleats, but not the 'dissolved' nor particulated debris that is much smaller than the µM rating of the filter media, but surely would help to 'choke' the flow of oil if and when they did break loose.

 

[MarkSF]

Seems like a strange design, to have paint on a wetted area. Why would you do that? The cartridges for my Fram filter are bare metal.

 

[RichH]

These are probably made in China by Xingtai Shengkaiyuan Material Co a 'new' manufacturing (a private label / re-branding) firm attempting to penetrate the lucrative worldwide automotive filtration market.

Fleetguard Oil Filter (LF670/LF677) China (Mainland) Auto Filter

 

[MarkSF]

Maybe look for a Wix substitute.

 

[JimsCAL]

These are probably made in China by Xingtai Shengkaiyuan Material Co a 'new' manufacturing (a private label / re-branding) firm attempting to penetrate the lucrative worldwide automotive filtration market.

Fleetguard Oil Filter (LF670/LF677) China (Mainland) Auto Filter

That's the chances you take when using an off-brand replacement. You decide if it's worth saving a few $.

 

[Classic30]

Must have been the biocide itself that attacked the paint.. an overdose perhaps?

Glad you caught it when you did.

That's possible.. since the only thing I did differently this time around is to add extra biocide to kill the diesel bug that's clogging the filters in the first place. How well it actually mixed in I'm not sure.

I've never heard of biocide attacking paint before.

Despite the instructions, in future I think I'll start adding biocide to the fuel in the jerry-can rather than directly into the tank - and consider filtering it into the tank rather than adding directly (regardless of how clean the fuel appears to be).

 

[Classic30]

These are probably made in China by Xingtai Shengkaiyuan Material Co a 'new' manufacturing (a private label / re-branding) firm attempting to penetrate the lucrative worldwide automotive filtration market.

Fleetguard Oil Filter (LF670/LF677) China (Mainland) Auto Filter

That's a bit frightening, since there's nothing on the can to indicate where they're made (and I've never questioned why they're so cheap).

I notice they also make 'Volvo-brand' filters! Shiite.. I've been lucky so far but will need to be a lot more vigilant in future.

 

[Classic30]

Seems like a strange design, to have paint on a wetted area. Why would you do that? The cartridges for my Fram filter are bare metal.

It is indeed a strange and unnecessary thing to do.

Any suggestions (model/part no.) for a bare-metal replacement?

 

[Classic30]

It is indeed a strange and unnecessary thing to do.

Any suggestions (model/part no.) for a bare-metal replacement?

Never mind.. I found a Ryco equivalent (R2132P) which has a powder-coated finish (rather than cheap paint) and is twice the price!

I'll give that a go. I guess that will teach me not to skimp on filters..

 

[RichH]

That's a bit frightening, since there's nothing on the can to indicate where they're made (and I've never questioned why they're so cheap).

I notice they also make 'Volvo-brand' filters! Shiite.. I've been lucky so far but will need to be a lot more vigilant in future.

Volvo has not been a Swedish Company since 2010; and, is now owned by the Chinese firm of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd.

 

[Classic30]

Volvo has not been a Swedish Company since 2010; and, is now owned by the Chinese firm of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd.

Interesting.. I did not know that.

At least (for the moment anyways) the Volvo-branded filters I've been buying are stamped "Made in France"...

EDIT: Actually, a read of the Volvo Group's web site (which includes Volvo Penta) indicates: "The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. ... . The Volvo Group, which employs about 110,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. ... . The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm."

http://www.volvogroup.com/group/global/en-gb/volvo%20group/Pages/aboutus.aspx

So.. it looks like you're completely and utterly wrong. Better luck next time eh, Rich?

 

[RichH]

Headquarters still located in Sweden but is Chinese owned.

EXCLUSIVE - Boardroom tension mounts at China-owned Volvo - sources | Reuters

 

[Classic30]

Headquarters still located in Sweden but is Chinese owned.

EXCLUSIVE - Boardroom tension mounts at China-owned Volvo - sources | Reuters

Oh, I see where the problem is: "Volvo Car Corporation" is a split-off from the Volvo Group which still retains marine engines (Volvo Penta) under it's banner. It's not the same company.

 

[Minnewaska]

Some marine diesel fuels already have biocide and preservatives added. Anything one were to add to them would be overdosing.

ValvTect - Valvtect Marine Diesel