Fuel Set (Fuel treatment for bug etc) Anyone used it?

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson

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Apparently Fuel Set is the 100% answer to all fuel problems.:)
I've just found a leaflet I picked up at SBS years ago.

I wondered if the team have any comments before I buy and use it so that I can forever relax and not care two hoots about a repeat of a major contamination two years ago :encouragement::encouragement::encouragement:

TIA, comme d'habitude
 
Ive used it religiously since I had major bug problems on my previous boat. I ended up changing all the fuel lines and tank and lost a complete season sailing due to the bug. From that point on , 5 years ago, I’ve since changed my boat but have continued to use fuel set religiously. No problems at all and definite peace of mind. Whether it’s any better than the other similar brands I’ve no idea. It works for me. Good luck. Alan
 
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Just been rereading a test by PBO a few years ago on fuel treatments. Conclusion is that they all work but of course variations in speed with which they break down the bug. There are two types, the first for treatment if you have the bug and the second for on going maintenance. The latter work by dispersing water in the fuel so it gets burnt by the engine. This is the type to use for prevention and is usually described in that way.
 
Tranona said:
Just been rereading a test by PBO a few years ago on fuel treatments. Conclusion is that they all work but of course variations in speed with which they break down the bug. There are two types, the first for treatment if you have the bug and the second for on going maintenance. The latter work by dispersing water in the fuel so it gets burnt by the engine. This is the type to use for prevention and is usually described in that way.
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Which is apparently what Fuel Set does.
Reassuring :encouragement:
 
Strictly speaking, Fuel Set is NOT a biocide, like Biobor JF (biocides generally contain either borinanes or carbamates and kill fungus and bacteria). It may help eliminate the conditions that help them thrive, but it is in a different catagory, perhaps (no way of knowing) similar to Soltron.

Unfortunately, there are no accepted tests for evaluating the claims of this type of product. Curiously, the vendors have generally resisted development of standards (US and UK), despite the urging of engine manufactures. This is a shame, because some are very good, some are snake oil, and the difference is hard to see. (I was leading the standards effort for a time and met nothing but dogged resistance).

Biocide claims are easy to test. Anti-corrosion claims are easy to test. But the intentionally vague "helps water pass harmlessly" and similar are impossible to nail down. In fact, engine makers prefer products that encourage water to drop out, so that separators can remove it. In generally, they are supplemental detergents.
 
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Not sure what this is worth, but I emptied the tank on our new Centaur, some 40+ litres of diesel (tank wasn't full) and there was no sign of diesel bug. The boat had been left untended for 2 years or so. When I came to replace the diesel, I found an open bottle of Fuel Set in the tool bucket
 
mogmog2 said:
Not sure what this is worth, but I emptied the tank on our new Centaur, some 40+ litres of diesel (tank wasn't full) and there was no sign of diesel bug. The boat had been left untended for 2 years or so. When I came to replace the diesel, I found an open bottle of Fuel Set in the tool bucket
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Similar to above except our boat had been laid up for more than 4 years.

Good luck
 
I should start by saying I have no idea other than what I have read and been told largely by competitors!

However I always used fuel set. I got some water in the tank (my fault) and was using fuel set. I dont know if it was related but it produced clouds of milky contaminant in the fuel (as I say it may be nothing to do with the product). Then I was told that water dispersants dont really work, and the key is the product must contain an effective treatment for the bug. Since, I have always used Fuel Doctor.

There was a review in one of the Yachting mags not that long ago and I think available on line which is well worth a read. It would seem some products certainly did better than others.

I would say it seems unlikely in such a small mixing ratio if you pick up any significant amount of water, the additive is really likely to be able to create an emulsion and allow the water to be removed in that way - but who knows?
 
Hello, I have been using Fuel Set for about a month to get rid of suspected 'bug' [jelly like substance in water separator bowl]. This weekend I noticed the filter bowl had a white substance in it which I couldn't drain off so I had to dismantle the filter assembly. All was clear, but 24 hours later the white goop had returned. I am guessing this might be emulsified water? I use white diesel. The tank is full [50 litres]. Any thoughts? Cheers.
 
I can't see why emulsified diesel wouldn't drain off? Even if the Fuel Set acts as an emulsifier, the result would presumably be, basically, liquid so should flush out with the diesel if you can get enough flow through the drain point to clear it as it should settle below clean diesel. :confused:

Richard
 
Hi, the diesel drains off, but leaves the white stuff behind, too thick to go through the drain off hole. I am concerned that the build up of emulsified goop will eventually clog the filters, damage injectors.?
 
Matador said:
Hello, I have been using Fuel Set for about a month to get rid of suspected 'bug' [jelly like substance in water separator bowl]. This weekend I noticed the filter bowl had a white substance in it which I couldn't drain off so I had to dismantle the filter assembly. All was clear, but 24 hours later the white goop had returned. I am guessing this might be emulsified water? I use white diesel. The tank is full [50 litres]. Any thoughts? Cheers.
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I think I had exactly the same problem. I am afraid it is potentially bad news (but of course I hope not).

In my case the "white stuff" was actually very white and in the fuel could best be described as what appeared to be white flakes, but when drained a soft mushy material that did not readily dissolve in the fuel.

I think in my case the cause was the same. I think the seals on the diesel cap had come off and I suspect a reasonable amount of water had got into the tank as I had been finding some water in the Racor for a little while.

It is bad news in that in my case I had a lot of this contaminant. It will barely pass through the Racor filter and builds up in the bowl and eventually blocks the filter. Some clearly does pass through as my engine filter also had some contamination. It is, as you say, difficult to drain.

I thought it would clear and changed the filter a few times, but I think I had a lot and I also think it settled to the bottom of the tank so whenever at sea the action stirred up a fresh supply.

I decided it would be a never ending battle to get rid of it all, and as I had been contemplating having the tanks cleaned anyway, bit the bullet and had the fuel polished and all the sludge removed. I am glad I did and there was a load in there. Even after polishing I got a little residue for a time. It has now totally gone thank goodness.

So, you may be lucky and if you are able to run the tank right down it may work its way through - I hope so.

Whatever you do, I woudl suggest when you think it has all been removed go out in a reasonable swell and check if it has returned early on in proceedings.

Of course you may have tanks that can be easily drained or dont carry too much fuel which hopefully will make life a lot easier. My tanks is 300 gallons and I probably had 150 gallons in it so it isnt the most straight forward job either using or getting all the fuel out. I had mine professional polished and the tanks cleaned at the time.
 
I've tested many additives over the years, both as refinery engineer and for US sailing mags. However, Fuel Set is not sold here.

I wonder, if anyone wonders how fuel set reacts with water, why no one has taken two glass jars, one with 4000:1 Fuel Set and one without, and added a few drops of water to each. Shake, then report back. Otherwise, what are we talking about? Also remember that diesel comes with additives from the refinery. Finally, there is a question of fuel system construction (certain metals react with diesel fuel).
 
Hello, thanks for the response. Luckily my tank is only 50 litres, so draining the lot is an option, though a bit awkward. Have you continued to use Fuel Set? I have contacted them and they say it shows that it is doing it's job and to keep using it [obviously] . I have bought more filters, the guy there said it could be a problem at the garage which is very busy so there is plenty of throughput. I am going to go out to the boat and drain some fuel direct from the tank to see whats there, change the filters and keep an eye on it. Don't want to be in a tricky situation under power and have the engine conk out!
 
Suggest you get yourself one of those cheap pumps which are powered by an electric drill and pump the tank out into a couple of 25 litre containers. Should be able to rig up a sieve or filter to take the worst out before back into the tank and passing through proper diesel filter.
 
Thank you all, for peace of mind I think I am going to drain the tank and start again. I am not sure about Fuel Set now, it is easier to drain water from the filter bowl than the white crud that's there. Would it be better to use red diesel?
 
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