Diesel Engine

[tw]

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

Do you think if I drained the fuel and replaced it with new, that I could purge the injection pump and injectors by continuing to trying to start the motor?

Rather than major surgery (ie drain the tank), locate a point where fuel feeds the engine. Tap this (ie also using a small rubber hose) to collect multiple inches of fuel in a glass jar. Then let that jar sit for many hours. If it exists, a little water separates from fuel; collects at the bottom. Water is seen only if the jar is glass. Then you know of or have eliminated that suspect.

Increasing octane means fuel is harder to ignite. Octane booster would only make the problem worse. Additives that cause water to mix with fuel are available. But this is usually used AFTER an engine starts and can burn off that water.