Diesel bug biocides

[AndrewB]

"Check each fuel tank for the presence of a fuel drain facility.
If present, check the drain outlet for the presence of a plug, cap or blank.
If present, the outlets from fuel tank drains and drain valves must be terminated with a ‘tools‐to‐remove’ plug, cap or blank."

Thanks Plum. My present boat has a screw-in plug, and is a real nuisance to remove. The bottom of the tank is tricky to access, there isn't enough room to get a drip-tray in, or at least out again half-full, and I've spilt a good deal of diesel into the bilges before I manage to get the plug out and a short hose screwed into the out-of-sight hole. But at least draining off the bottom few liters once or twice a year has kept the fuel bug at bay. I know there is some in there, despite the biocide, but it never reaches the engine.

My old boat had a cock at the bottom with a screw in plug that fitted into end, which was far better but I don't think would now be allowed.

Suggestions for removing the bottom plug and managing a controlled drain without making a mess would be much appreciated!

 

[differentroads]

Good piece of work and thanks for sharing your experiences. I had a moderate diesel bug infestation back in March. Cleared it with Grotomar. But it returned by September. I'd hardly gone anywhere all year and the water and bug debris suspended in the fuel probably settled down and allowed the bug to regrow. As I'm in the Spain and biodiesel is sometimes all I can get, I'm intending to put together a fuel polishing system that I can leave on for 24 hours or more to strain out water and debris after more regular 'shock treatment' than I ever needed in the UK.

 

[Plum]

Suggestions for removing the bottom plug and managing a controlled drain without making a mess would be much appreciated!

I have not tried this but a friend needed to fit a new drain cock but instead of draining the tank he fitted the hose of a vacuum cleaner into the filler, blocked the breather and closed the fuel line to the engine, turned on the vac cleaner and removed the drain with no fuel leaking out.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[AndrewB]

I have not tried this but a friend needed to fit a new drain cock but instead of draining the tank he fitted the hose of a vacuum cleaner into the filler, blocked the breather and closed the fuel line to the engine, turned on the vac cleaner and removed the drain with no fuel leaking out.

I like it! Not so sure whether SWMBO will be thrilled at having her vacuum cleaner filled with diesel, but then again she never has grasped the finer points of engine maintenance.

 

[TernVI]

I was told recently that sump taps on boat fuel tanks are not now permitted, but access hatches are required. If anyone has a copy of BS ISO 21487: "Permanently installed fuel tanks" , perhaps you could check!

I thought it was a standard of some sort.

I like it! Not so sure whether SWMBO will be thrilled at having her vacuum cleaner filled with diesel, but then again she never has grasped the finer points of engine maintenance.

I was wondering if there could every be enough volative fumes above the diesel to turn the hoover into a flame thrower?

 

[Stemar]

I was wondering if there could every be enough volative fumes above the diesel to turn the hoover into a flame thrower?

I think you'll need petrol to achieve that, but what has your poor SWBO done that you need to?