Bad Fuel in Plymouth

[Guest]

Has anyone recently taken on bad fuel in Plymouth, I took delivery of a new motor boat in March 2003 and have only filled up at 2 locations in Plymouth since then. We recently experienced problems with our engine (lack of power, inability to achieve high revs,smokey exhaust) and had a scarey time trying to get back to Plymouth from Salcombe with engine revs dropping from 3200 eventually to 1200rpm. After arriving back at our berth i changed the filters, the primary filter being full of a black thready substance, This appeared to have solved the problem but after only 3 hours the primary filter was as bad as before. I approached a local marine engineer who offered to inspect the fuel tank and if required drain the fuel, replace the filters and clean the tank. His report was astonishing, he reported that the tank was very heavily contaminated with dirt and sludge and due to the age of the boat it could only have been caused by taking on heavily contaminated fuel. The tank was removed and steam cleaned before being reinstalled. Has anyone had similar problems in Plymouth?

<hr width=100% size=1>Spinnaker

 

[longjohnsilver]

Where in Plymouth? NM

.

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[DepSol]

Had a client recently in there with same problem limped in on one engine. Double dose of Soltron and a dash of fresh fuel and he was off to Jersey no problems.

Before anyone says it he wasnt a client when he limped into Brixham but was a client when he left.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[poter]

Hmmm.

Lotsa work on engine please tell!!!

I have taken on fuel from Yacht Haven & as yet not had a problem, but would like to know if there could be one in future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name & shame..


poter.

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[whisper]

I've used Mayflower and QAB a number of times in the last couple of months and not had any problem. However, I do use Soltron.
PS . You may get more replies if you post this on the Mobo Chat and Fuel forums

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by whisper on 23/09/2003 23:36 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[sidon]

We have filled up at the yacht haven all season and had no problems, if thats any use to you.

Simon

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[Guest]

Re: Where in Plymouth? NM

Only ever filled up at QAB and Yacht Haven, Judging by the number of responses from people using yacht haven, and the fact that after the first engine service at 20 hours the engineer commented that for a new boat the filters were extremely dirty, I draw the conclusion that the culprits are QAB. The first two fills were made at QAB, we did not use Yacht Haven untill after the first service.

<hr width=100% size=1>Spinnaker

 

[hlb]

Re: Where in Plymouth? NM

I suspect that the muck was in the tank from new. It's not the first time I've heard of it.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[andy_wilson]

I would side with HLB. If it was a bunkerage problem there would be a rash of complaints around Plymouth, and particularly the marina supplying the juice.

Far more likely for muck and water to have been present in the tank from new.

Either the manufacturer didn't clean out properly after (or even if) it was pressure tested, or it remained 'on the shelf' (round the back of the shed) for some time without a lid on.

What type / brand of boat and what type of tanks?

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[david]

QAB

I've Filled up twice this year both from QAB. First time was back in February and the last fill was early in August, my filters are perfectly clear so I suspect your problem is as HLB suggests.

PS when did you fill up at QAB?

<hr width=100% size=1>David

 

[brianhumber]

A bit of water at the bottom of any fuel,lube oil or cargo tank and the bugs love it. They breed like crazy and hey presto loads of sludge ready to block filters etc. This can happen very quickly, e.g. once took a load of Avgas for the MOD and the bugs got at it in the short time from Refinery to Delivery port. Took it back to the MOD storage tanks in the hills of SW Scotland and for all I know its still there.
The remedy for Grey haired old sods like me is to steam clean the tank internals, but I note serveral young turks have been singing the praises of the magic potions which are now on the market.

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[yoda]

Agr with Brianhumber, more likely you suffered from the dreaded bug. Treat as depsol recommends and then keep you tanks full and ensure you turn over the fuel inall tanks (if you have more than one) on a regular basis. Stagnation will allow the bus to grow and trust me they can bring big and small vessels to a halt very quickly.

Yoda

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[Guest]

QAB can't be that bad because the F1 powerboats use them! i've had no problems with QAB, Plymouth Yacht Haven

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