Diesel additive

Blackfeather

Blackfeather

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Now on the Thames
www.blackfeatherboatcharter.com
Despite religiously topping up the fuel tanks to the brim after every outing it looks like we've got a dose of the dreaded bug.

What's the house view on the most effective additives?

We'll keep changing the filters regularly but do any of the additives really work? Is it actually possible to eradicate it without emptying the tanks?

Apologies for so many questions.

Incidentally are there any other recommended preventative measures other than keeping the tanks topped up (which seems to have failed)?
 
Marine 16 works for me and did well in the last additives test I saw in YM. If the infection is not so bad, you can give the tank a big shot of the additive that will kill off the infestation and thereafter keep up regular doses. But I would say that the only guarantee is a complete clean out of the system.
 
pvb said:
Startron, from Starbrite. It's the same enzyme formula as the original Soltron.
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Thats what I use- seems to be working. The bug I had last year was collecting in the Racor bowl along with a little nasty water. So far this year about a teaspoon of water with a miniscule bit of opaque jelly like stuff. Last years stuff was black and stringy. I have not had the 30 micron Racor block at all, but I drain the bowl frequently. It pisses First Mate off- I have to get the aft bedding and mattress cushions off to get in to do it. Because I'm a man I cant put it together in a way that she likes so she does it..............
 
Another vote for Marine 16. I'm fairly sure I had bug in both tanks, the additive seems to break it down into fine enough particles to pass through the filters and burn off in the engine. There is sometimes a fine black residue in the primary bowl though.

Also sold by SeaStart if thats a recommendation
 
I think most of them do work, tho may be some duff ones amongst the crowd. I now use Fuel Set as a result of a previous problem and no recurrence - so far!

Didnt drain the tank, tho did give it a heavy treatment dose and of course replaced primary and secondary filters. Primary was absolutely packed solid with the gunge. No wonder she stopped firing up! Now annual prophylactic maintenance dose.
 
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Blackfeather said:
Despite religiously topping up the fuel tanks to the brim after every outing it looks like we've got a dose of the dreaded bug.

What's the house view on the most effective additives?

We'll keep changing the filters regularly but do any of the additives really work? Is it actually possible to eradicate it without emptying the tanks?

Apologies for so many questions.

Incidentally are there any other recommended preventative measures other than keeping the tanks topped up (which seems to have failed)?
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To cure the existing problem I suggest that you consider either a fuel polishing contractor such as Express Lube or if that is not possible then dose it yourself with the treatment version of Marine 16 ie not the maintenance type. I also recommend that you get a copy of the YM test of the various dose products on the market, some are "less than effective", to say the least. My own experience of Marine 16 has been very positive when we got a heavy dose of the bug. I have never used fuel polishing in UK but have done so abroad and found it excellent. A number of UK companies are on Google but I have no personal experience of them.
Good Luck.
 
We use Fuel Set - rated quite well in the YM test - never had a problem, but then again we went for ages not using anything and never had a problem like that either...
 
Can anyone see any reasons (apart from added cost) why it is not sensible to dose with 2 or 3 different bug killers ?

Each seems to have its fans so I am tempted to use a combo of the three best rated ones.

Having had the bug and been hit with a very expensive steam clean I really do not want to get it again.
 
hi ---i was driving a tractor for a farmer when it started playing up with what sounded like a fuel problem----he said he has been having a lot of trouble with dirty fuel lines---can this marine diesel bug cause problems on land and is there any way of identifying contaminated fuel?----regards lenten
 
Yes, a tractor can suffer the same problems. The required conditions (unless you just get delivered with contaminated fuel) are a slow turnover of fuel in either the storage tank or the vehicle tank and condensation in the part empty tanks allowing the bug to breed on the fuel/water interface.

Rob.
 
thanks rob----you have described it use exactly---occasional rolling following the big tractor harrowing and other small jobs----probably laid up most of the winter----can you see any signs of fuel having the diesel bug?---------regards lenten
 
lenten said:
thanks rob----you have described it use exactly---occasional rolling following the big tractor harrowing and other small jobs----probably laid up most of the winter----can you see any signs of fuel having the diesel bug?---------regards lenten
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Black /brown slime in the filter bowl and blackened fuel filters are the classic sign. in extremis the goo fills the folds of the paper. Sediment on tank bottom, if you can see it.
 
One or two people mention having small amounts of water in their filter bowls, which they drain regularly.

This means they have got water in their tanks. They therefore have the ideal environment for Bug growth. If they have mild steel tanks, they also have the ideal environment for the bottom to rust out of the tank.

There is absolutely NO substitute for eradicating water from your tank. This should be part of your annual service of the boat. However many manufacturers make this almost impossible to get access.

However this is a major safety issue and the cause of a significant number of calls for help.
 
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