Jobs_a_ good_ un
New member
Anybody on here had a problem with diesel bug causing revs to drop ?????????????
diesel bug causing revs to drop
- Thread starter Jobs_a_ good_ un
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A
Anonymous
Guest
Are you sure it's a diesel bug? The most common causes of low revs are fouled props and dirty bottoms. There are loads and loads of threads - some very recent - on diesel bugs, additives and good housekeeping techniques to avoid problems without additives. It would probably pay you to search here on this site as so much has already been said and the subject does tend to cause strong differences of opinion, making debate difficult.
Evadne
Active member
Diesel bug causes blockages in the fuel lines, which tends to cause the revs to drop to zero, in my experience.
Lack of revs generally can be caused by air starvation, worn injectors, pumps, damaged pump diaphragms as well as fouling as Lemain says.
Lack of revs generally can be caused by air starvation, worn injectors, pumps, damaged pump diaphragms as well as fouling as Lemain says.
tcm
...
yep, think we took on iffy fuel but anyway i found the slithery gunk in the filters.
BrendanChandler
Member
I have just fitted a Volvo 'Diesel Bug' zapper.
This is a set of magnets in a container and the fuel runs between the magnets which are supposed to cause the bug to breakdown and so Bob's your auntie.
It is probably not a substitute to paying a lot more attention when I fill the diesel but may help.
It costs about £70 and might be worth trying?
This is a set of magnets in a container and the fuel runs between the magnets which are supposed to cause the bug to breakdown and so Bob's your auntie.
It is probably not a substitute to paying a lot more attention when I fill the diesel but may help.
It costs about £70 and might be worth trying?
scoty
New member
just put a lot of ·STARTRON· in your boat tank
pvb
Well-known member
Yes...
It happens when the filter starts to get blocked by glutinous bug residue and will only allow enough fuel through for a lower engine speed. It concentrates the attention wonderfully!
As Lemain said, lots of posts have suggested solutions. In my case, I did some DIY "fuel polishing" by pumping the tank contents repeatedly through a filter, and I dosed the tank heavily with an enzyme-based additive.
If you do a web search for "fuel bug", the enzyme additive which keeps cropping up internationally is "Soltron". However, the situation is confused by the fact that the sellers of the original Soltron (marketed in the States) can't use the name in Europe due to a major error in trademarking the name. Another company registered the Soltron name in Europe to market a similar additive which may, or may not, be as good as the original Soltron - we can't tell because real test results are not available. The original US Soltron is available in Europe under the Xbee and Startron brands. You'll find Startron is easier to get in the UK than Xbee, as it's marketed by Starbrite whose wide range of products is featured in most good chandleries.
It happens when the filter starts to get blocked by glutinous bug residue and will only allow enough fuel through for a lower engine speed. It concentrates the attention wonderfully!
As Lemain said, lots of posts have suggested solutions. In my case, I did some DIY "fuel polishing" by pumping the tank contents repeatedly through a filter, and I dosed the tank heavily with an enzyme-based additive.
If you do a web search for "fuel bug", the enzyme additive which keeps cropping up internationally is "Soltron". However, the situation is confused by the fact that the sellers of the original Soltron (marketed in the States) can't use the name in Europe due to a major error in trademarking the name. Another company registered the Soltron name in Europe to market a similar additive which may, or may not, be as good as the original Soltron - we can't tell because real test results are not available. The original US Soltron is available in Europe under the Xbee and Startron brands. You'll find Startron is easier to get in the UK than Xbee, as it's marketed by Starbrite whose wide range of products is featured in most good chandleries.
DaveS
Well-known member
Over the years I've seen a number of variations on this theme for cars / boats / central heating with varying claims from removing bugs to "boosting" efficiency, reducing maintenance, saving the planet, etc., etc. Given that a number of contributors have a professional background in the fuel industry, does anyone here have any concrete evidence that magnets are any more effective for fuel treatment than for sorting rheumatism? Or is it all a load of snake oil?
oldharry
Well-known member
Diesel bug causes engines to stop - dead! Nothing half hearted about it I'm afraid. It forms a mass of tarry jelly, and once this gets anywhere near lines and filters it blocks them off completely killing the engine.
By reduced revs, do you mean you can no9 longer acheive full power or speed under load, or will the engine simply not rev out? There is a difference.
If you can no longer attain full speed / revs, the problem is likely a fouled or damaged prop, or a fouled hull causing too much drag. There is usually black smoke in the exhaust too.
If on the other hand the engine will not rev to full throttle off load then - assuming it is otherwise OK - injectors good, pump correctly timed, and fuel filters clean, then start looking for a vey slight fuel leak in the suction line - particualrly between the lift pump (which may itself have developed a leak in the diaphragm) and the injector pump. Use a coloured tissue to wipe each joint - any fuel present will cause darkening of the tissue. If fuel is escaping, air is getting in.
Disconnect the fuel line from the outlet of the lift pump, and check it is giving a good solid squirt of fuel each time it operates. If it is only weak, then there is a blockage or the pump itself is faulty.
After that you are moving into needing a mechanic to check out the pump etc.
But 'the bug' is never half hearted in its effect, it just clogs things up and stops the poor engine dead in its tracks ever time!
By reduced revs, do you mean you can no9 longer acheive full power or speed under load, or will the engine simply not rev out? There is a difference.
If you can no longer attain full speed / revs, the problem is likely a fouled or damaged prop, or a fouled hull causing too much drag. There is usually black smoke in the exhaust too.
If on the other hand the engine will not rev to full throttle off load then - assuming it is otherwise OK - injectors good, pump correctly timed, and fuel filters clean, then start looking for a vey slight fuel leak in the suction line - particualrly between the lift pump (which may itself have developed a leak in the diaphragm) and the injector pump. Use a coloured tissue to wipe each joint - any fuel present will cause darkening of the tissue. If fuel is escaping, air is getting in.
Disconnect the fuel line from the outlet of the lift pump, and check it is giving a good solid squirt of fuel each time it operates. If it is only weak, then there is a blockage or the pump itself is faulty.
After that you are moving into needing a mechanic to check out the pump etc.
But 'the bug' is never half hearted in its effect, it just clogs things up and stops the poor engine dead in its tracks ever time!
pvb
Well-known member
[ QUOTE ]
Diesel bug causes engines to stop - dead! Nothing half hearted about it I'm afraid.
[/ QUOTE ]That doesn't match my experience. Diesel bug does not immediately form "a mass of tarry jelly" which stops the engine - early indications are partial blocking of the filter and this can cause reduced revs. In my experience, that's exactly what happened; the revs dropped slightly, just detectable by ear. I was fairly close to my home marina and was able to get back and investigate before the filter became completely blocked (which would have stopped the engine).
Diesel bug causes engines to stop - dead! Nothing half hearted about it I'm afraid.
[/ QUOTE ]That doesn't match my experience. Diesel bug does not immediately form "a mass of tarry jelly" which stops the engine - early indications are partial blocking of the filter and this can cause reduced revs. In my experience, that's exactly what happened; the revs dropped slightly, just detectable by ear. I was fairly close to my home marina and was able to get back and investigate before the filter became completely blocked (which would have stopped the engine).
DepSol
New member
Re: Yes...
[ QUOTE ]
If you do a web search for "fuel bug", the enzyme additive which keeps cropping up internationally is "Soltron". However, the situation is confused by the fact that the sellers of the original Soltron (marketed in the States) can't use the name in Europe due to a major error in trademarking the name. Another company registered the Soltron name in Europe to market a similar additive which may, or may not, be as good as the original Soltron - we can't tell because real test results are not available. The original US Soltron is available in Europe under the Xbee and Startron brands. You'll find Startron is easier to get in the UK than Xbee, as it's marketed by Starbrite whose wide range of products is featured in most good chandleries.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry mate but they did not have the ORIGINAL Soltron at all. Soltron originated from Japan and what they brew is not what comes from Japan so I beg to differ in that Soltron made in Japan IS the original and not anything be it named otherwise from USA is the same as the Soltron bought from a place licenced by Soltron Solpower Japan.
[ QUOTE ]
If you do a web search for "fuel bug", the enzyme additive which keeps cropping up internationally is "Soltron". However, the situation is confused by the fact that the sellers of the original Soltron (marketed in the States) can't use the name in Europe due to a major error in trademarking the name. Another company registered the Soltron name in Europe to market a similar additive which may, or may not, be as good as the original Soltron - we can't tell because real test results are not available. The original US Soltron is available in Europe under the Xbee and Startron brands. You'll find Startron is easier to get in the UK than Xbee, as it's marketed by Starbrite whose wide range of products is featured in most good chandleries.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry mate but they did not have the ORIGINAL Soltron at all. Soltron originated from Japan and what they brew is not what comes from Japan so I beg to differ in that Soltron made in Japan IS the original and not anything be it named otherwise from USA is the same as the Soltron bought from a place licenced by Soltron Solpower Japan.
pvb
Well-known member
Oh, please...
This subject has been exhaustively covered before, notably in a thread (#708582) which has now been blocked by YBW. If I can recap without being too controversial, I first heard about Soltron on US boating forums, and was impressed by the positive reports I read of the benefits of using it, particularly to cure problems caused by “diesel bug”. I discovered from the Solpower website (makers of Soltron) and the Soltron-GTR website (distributors of Soltron) that it uses enzyme technology developed by Dr Shinji Makino in Japan. In 1992, Dr Makino licensed his fuel technology to Dominion Capital Pty Ltd, who appointed Solpower Corporation in the USA as the exclusive worldwide marketer, manufacturer and distributor of his hydrocarbon enzyme technology.
However, it’s now apparent that the “Soltron” sold in the UK (and maybe in the rest of Europe) is not quite the same stuff as the original US-made Soltron. Indeed, there’s a warning on the Soltron-GTR website that “Due to trademark conflicts and imitation products in various parts of the world,Solpower Corporation advises customers to verify the source of any fuel treatment using the name Soltron or Xbee. The safety and efficiency of these imitations is unknown because they are not affiliated or associated with Solpower Corporation, in the USA, and the propietary enzyme formula developed by Dr. Shinji Makino.”
The “Soltron” that we buy here in the UK evidently comes from a Belfast-based company which owns the rights to the name “Soltron” here (and presumably in the rest of Europe). I understand that you, Depsol, have some link to this company. As I recall, in the old blocked thread, you claimed that the original US-made Soltron was not safe to use, but BrendanS convincingly argued that your claim was false.
UK consumers could be forgiven for being confused by the situation. I e-mailed the Solpower Corporation for clarification. They replied:
“Unfortunately, there are several "Soltron's" around the world. Notably, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. However, we believe they all originate from the same source. Facts:
1. Solpower Corporation, USA is the sole licensee to manufacturer and distribute Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment, an invention of Dr. Shinji Makino, Institute for Bioenergy, outside of Japan.
2. "Xbee" is our product under private label for the EU, from Xtra Xport Trade in France, as is "Startron", a new version under private label from Starbrite, the world's largest manufacturer of boat maintenance products.
3. The knock-offs do not contain our enzyme.
4. The Belfast based Solpower is unrelated to Solpower Corporation, USA and we have been assured, has no access to Makino's enzyme. This company does own the trademark "Soltron" in the EU.
5. Solpower Corporation has no knowledge of what chemicals or components are in other additives called Soltron, and suggests the buyer beware of claims. If you have concerns about ingredients, safety, and quality, we suggest you read the MSDS sheet from the manufacturer. Conventional chemical additives will use alcohol, metals, salts, or other organo-metallic components to try to achieve the effects of Soltron's enzyme formula.
The one and only, Original Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment contains 99.5% Low Odor Base Solvent, (de-odorized kerosene) with a flash point of 150F, and contains .5% proprietary organic compounds (the enzyme). There are no other chemicals or components in Soltron.
Respectfully,
Matthew A. Cohen
General Manager
Marketing and Technical Services
Solpower Corporation (USA) “
As you’ll see, in my previous post I fairly and accurately described the European Soltron as “a similar additive which may, or may not, be as good as the original Soltron”. If you think your product actually is better, you'll have to provide some convincing proof rather than just bluster.
But for me, there’s a clear message emerging. I’ll now only use the original US-made Soltron, by buying either Startron or Xbee. There may not be any additional benefit, but I’ll be marginally more convinced that I’m not being ripped off.
This subject has been exhaustively covered before, notably in a thread (#708582) which has now been blocked by YBW. If I can recap without being too controversial, I first heard about Soltron on US boating forums, and was impressed by the positive reports I read of the benefits of using it, particularly to cure problems caused by “diesel bug”. I discovered from the Solpower website (makers of Soltron) and the Soltron-GTR website (distributors of Soltron) that it uses enzyme technology developed by Dr Shinji Makino in Japan. In 1992, Dr Makino licensed his fuel technology to Dominion Capital Pty Ltd, who appointed Solpower Corporation in the USA as the exclusive worldwide marketer, manufacturer and distributor of his hydrocarbon enzyme technology.
However, it’s now apparent that the “Soltron” sold in the UK (and maybe in the rest of Europe) is not quite the same stuff as the original US-made Soltron. Indeed, there’s a warning on the Soltron-GTR website that “Due to trademark conflicts and imitation products in various parts of the world,Solpower Corporation advises customers to verify the source of any fuel treatment using the name Soltron or Xbee. The safety and efficiency of these imitations is unknown because they are not affiliated or associated with Solpower Corporation, in the USA, and the propietary enzyme formula developed by Dr. Shinji Makino.”
The “Soltron” that we buy here in the UK evidently comes from a Belfast-based company which owns the rights to the name “Soltron” here (and presumably in the rest of Europe). I understand that you, Depsol, have some link to this company. As I recall, in the old blocked thread, you claimed that the original US-made Soltron was not safe to use, but BrendanS convincingly argued that your claim was false.
UK consumers could be forgiven for being confused by the situation. I e-mailed the Solpower Corporation for clarification. They replied:
“Unfortunately, there are several "Soltron's" around the world. Notably, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. However, we believe they all originate from the same source. Facts:
1. Solpower Corporation, USA is the sole licensee to manufacturer and distribute Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment, an invention of Dr. Shinji Makino, Institute for Bioenergy, outside of Japan.
2. "Xbee" is our product under private label for the EU, from Xtra Xport Trade in France, as is "Startron", a new version under private label from Starbrite, the world's largest manufacturer of boat maintenance products.
3. The knock-offs do not contain our enzyme.
4. The Belfast based Solpower is unrelated to Solpower Corporation, USA and we have been assured, has no access to Makino's enzyme. This company does own the trademark "Soltron" in the EU.
5. Solpower Corporation has no knowledge of what chemicals or components are in other additives called Soltron, and suggests the buyer beware of claims. If you have concerns about ingredients, safety, and quality, we suggest you read the MSDS sheet from the manufacturer. Conventional chemical additives will use alcohol, metals, salts, or other organo-metallic components to try to achieve the effects of Soltron's enzyme formula.
The one and only, Original Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment contains 99.5% Low Odor Base Solvent, (de-odorized kerosene) with a flash point of 150F, and contains .5% proprietary organic compounds (the enzyme). There are no other chemicals or components in Soltron.
Respectfully,
Matthew A. Cohen
General Manager
Marketing and Technical Services
Solpower Corporation (USA) “
As you’ll see, in my previous post I fairly and accurately described the European Soltron as “a similar additive which may, or may not, be as good as the original Soltron”. If you think your product actually is better, you'll have to provide some convincing proof rather than just bluster.
But for me, there’s a clear message emerging. I’ll now only use the original US-made Soltron, by buying either Startron or Xbee. There may not be any additional benefit, but I’ll be marginally more convinced that I’m not being ripped off.
DepSol
New member
Re: Oh, please...
What a load of crap that is you have pulled from their web site.
Dr. Shinji Makino who the hell is he cos he certainly didn’t invent/discover it and is not part of the Soltron Solpower Japan corp.
They were sold a formula ages ago, one that has now been changed and developed through constant R&D by Japan. If you look closely enough you can actually get different formulas of Soltron in different parts of the world, one for reducing smoke, one for fuel efficiency etc etc. So whilst the yanks are still plugging away with an old formula Japan have moved on from that and developed it further.
Buy what you will that’s your freedom of choice as a consumer but please do not keep spreading the crap about Makino as it is completely wrong. The day the lawyers have finished with this is the day you will see all the evidence posted right here, a day I cant wait for as I am sick of Soltron USA, Xbee, Startron whatever they call themselves claiming stuff that Soltron Japan has done as their own.
What a load of crap that is you have pulled from their web site.
Dr. Shinji Makino who the hell is he cos he certainly didn’t invent/discover it and is not part of the Soltron Solpower Japan corp.
They were sold a formula ages ago, one that has now been changed and developed through constant R&D by Japan. If you look closely enough you can actually get different formulas of Soltron in different parts of the world, one for reducing smoke, one for fuel efficiency etc etc. So whilst the yanks are still plugging away with an old formula Japan have moved on from that and developed it further.
Buy what you will that’s your freedom of choice as a consumer but please do not keep spreading the crap about Makino as it is completely wrong. The day the lawyers have finished with this is the day you will see all the evidence posted right here, a day I cant wait for as I am sick of Soltron USA, Xbee, Startron whatever they call themselves claiming stuff that Soltron Japan has done as their own.
pvb
Well-known member
Re: Oh, please...
What a beautifully articulated argument! As I said, if you think your product actually is better, you'll have to provide some convincing proof rather than just bluster. Blaming lawyers for your inability to provide information doesn't somehow ring true.
What a beautifully articulated argument! As I said, if you think your product actually is better, you'll have to provide some convincing proof rather than just bluster. Blaming lawyers for your inability to provide information doesn't somehow ring true.
DepSol
New member
Re: Oh, please...
Ok thats fine but when I do post the info on here and I prove certain information found on the internet is untrue I wil be looking for an apology from quite afew people.
Ok thats fine but when I do post the info on here and I prove certain information found on the internet is untrue I wil be looking for an apology from quite afew people.
pvb
Well-known member
Re: Oh, please...
I'd have thought a good lawyer would find it relatively easy to get untrue information removed from the US websites using the Lanham Act. Maybe you need to change your lawyers.
I'd have thought a good lawyer would find it relatively easy to get untrue information removed from the US websites using the Lanham Act. Maybe you need to change your lawyers.
graham
Well-known member
Re: Oh, please...
More to the point none of this argument is much help to Sami Lymington. So to get back to the original question ,have you any evidence of diesel bug sludge in the fuel filters? If replacing the filter elements improves performance but it then drops off again after some more engine hours then that proves that the problem is fuel related (either dirty fuel or possibly fuel bug problem).
New clean fuel filters would be my first attempt at fixing (or at least diagnosing)the problem.
More to the point none of this argument is much help to Sami Lymington. So to get back to the original question ,have you any evidence of diesel bug sludge in the fuel filters? If replacing the filter elements improves performance but it then drops off again after some more engine hours then that proves that the problem is fuel related (either dirty fuel or possibly fuel bug problem).
New clean fuel filters would be my first attempt at fixing (or at least diagnosing)the problem.
DepSol
New member
Re: Oh, please...
Not me that is sorting this one out although i have gathered evidence i have been told to keep quiet until it is sorted.
it is hard especially when you get situations like this but slowly slowly catchy monkey.
i am waiting for the day i can reveal the truth for what it is and some will be shocked at the lengths others have gone to in order to get ahead of the game.
Not me that is sorting this one out although i have gathered evidence i have been told to keep quiet until it is sorted.
it is hard especially when you get situations like this but slowly slowly catchy monkey.
i am waiting for the day i can reveal the truth for what it is and some will be shocked at the lengths others have gone to in order to get ahead of the game.
BrendanS
Well-known member
Re: Oh, please...
Dom, you told me to keep quiet years ago about mentioning other brands involved in this fiasco, by pm. Years later nothing has happened, so excuse me not believing you this time around
Dom, you told me to keep quiet years ago about mentioning other brands involved in this fiasco, by pm. Years later nothing has happened, so excuse me not believing you this time around
upthesolent
New member
It was diesel bug in my recently purchased Leisure 23. The symptons were the engine revs dropping off to tickover for about 5 or 6 seconds, back up to normal revs for roughly the same amount of time, almost ad infinitum until one mile out from Ryde Harbour, with losing light (and tide) the engine stopped completely! Just enough wind to sail in (worried about going onto the rocks on our portside at harbour entrance), but managed to get in and onto the end of the visitors moorings to boot. Phew!
Found a decent local guy who had the tank out and cleaned all the lines etc for a reasonable price.
Found a decent local guy who had the tank out and cleaned all the lines etc for a reasonable price.
