Diesel bug in Brighton marina?

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David_J

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We got it!!
Just before the duty went up last year we filled up and applied the additive that Feltons (Volvo agent) sell (Cant remember what it was)
Hardly used the boat all winter so tanks stayed full'ish.
In the spring got Feltons in to do a check over including dropping the primary fuel filters for inspection to make sure no bug. Everything ok on both engines.
Filled up both tanks at Brighton Marina about five weeks ago and now have very bad contamination in one tank and mild contamination in the other. Boat been out for work over the last 2/3 weeks so not used.
So all we have done fuel related in the last eight months or so is fill up in Brighton and now we are bug infested.

The marina say they are clean, not a single other complaint etc. etc.

Anyone else heard of the bug in Brighton??

How many other ways of getting it other than taking on contaminated fuel.

Interesting that my tank that has very mild bug is the one we topped up first and my tank with really bad contamination is the one we filled second, almost as if it was getting to the bottom of the marina tank. Marina say they never get to the bottom of the tanks before re-fueling every week. Strange as in the past they have run out of fuel alltogther a few times!!

Any ideas or comments
 
Hi sorry to hear of your troubles, I did a post on 22/07/09 about diesel bug might be of some help to you. The product might not have been for treating the bug but for helping to prevent it. It could have been an underlying problem that's just got worst. All the best. 2 products that are highley rated are GrotaMar71 and Marine 16.

David
 
Hi David,

No problems for us, although we have filled up elsewhere as well as Brighton. Interesting to hear that you have it as I always felt that the Roto tanks on the 9.80 helped to prevent the bug by reducing condensation. I hope to be filling up next weekend so I hope it's not a problem in their tanks.
 
David of Essex said:
Hi sorry to hear of your troubles, I did a post on 22/07/09 about diesel bug might be of some help to you. The product might not have been for treating the bug but for helping to prevent it. It could have been an underlying problem that's just got worst. All the best. 2 products that are highley rated are GrotaMar71 and Marine 16.

David
Click to expand...

Many thanks
I heard one of the mags have recently done a review of such products so am trying to get a copy. We did put correct measure of additive in last year but not a few weeks ago.
 
goochie said:
Hi David,

No problems for us, although we have filled up elsewhere as well as Brighton. Interesting to hear that you have it as I always felt that the Roto tanks on the 9.80 helped to prevent the bug by reducing condensation. I hope to be filling up next weekend so I hope it's not a problem in their tanks.
Click to expand...

My thoughts were along those lines plus we were topped up over the winter plus we put the potion in that Feltons sell. Interesting but the tank that supplies the heating so did get lower over the winter (because we used the heating a fair bit) was the tank that has minimal contamination!! How does that that fit in with conventional thinking Plus Feltons gave it a clean bill of health at the start of the season!
 
hlb said:
You dont have to catch the bug from some where else. Not surprised you've got it, if not used much. Dose with Soltron then burn a few tank fulls and keep useing it.
Click to expand...

Take your point but used the last boat in exactly the same way for five years without a hint of problem. I really appreciate your comments as always but cannot think its as simple as low usage over the winter. If thats the case how come there was no hint when a VP dealer did the checks in the Spring. If it was ok then what has changed since - except we have used the boat THEN topped up the tanks.

The problem was spotted by a very experienced guy who manouvred the boat off the boat lift. (I was up North!!) He immediately noticed one engine sluggish. The same guy took the boat from the mooring to the boat lift for lift out a few weeks ago and noticed NO problem, so the worst of it may have happened very recently. What do you make of that?
 
hlb said:
No, it's started to block the filters again, it was there all the time, it wont block the filters if not used.
Click to expand...

Mmmm maybe but it had a full service (by VP dealer) with all new filters last july (with no trace of bug) then we put around 20 hrs on before topping up around October time and treating the full tanks with additive,,,, then the rest as already said. So if it was always in the tanks why no show last year then a bit of running early this year would have dragged it into the filters if it was there already there, but no sign in the springtime checkover. No easy one line answers I fear.
 
hlb said:
Do you believe in VP men or fairies:eek:
Click to expand...

Doesnt really matter what I believe in, or you really, but the sad fact is they are more believable than if it where me or you who did the work. There are many such examples where we may not have a belief in a certain company or even a profession but sadly it those sort of people who do carry more credibility unfortunately. They supposedly have training schemes, ISO 9000/1 insurance and some sort of reputation and whilst you and I may have views, they are not likely to be recognised in the same way as a supposedly proffessional organisation.

Now if you have useful input please go ahead but if on the other hand you are just looking for a bit of sport, thread drift and trying to be insulting on a slow night please dont bother! I would expect better from you.
 
hlb said:
:p You forgot the smiley thingy :p

You've got the bug, how or why is pure conjecture. You must have done quite a few miles before it blocked the filters again.

Wish I had your faith in ISO 9000/1
Click to expand...

You are right, it is conjecture and that is why I was looking for constructive input, useful comment and help not all this thread drift.

You said,
"You must have done quite a few miles before it blocked the filters again"
Not sure what you mean but as best I know it the boat has never had the bug before so what do you mean "blocked the filters again"
The very first time the bug has been seen was last week when re-launched after work done ashore for anodes etc. Prior to that never any bug recognised!

By the way I dont have so much faith in elf and safety but if you run any sort of business these days you cannot escape it. You may not like it, you may not believe in it but nonetheless it is recognised and required so if you want to do any sort of work in this country for sure you cannot ignore it. I was trying to demonstrate that a company with procedures such as this will always be believed by the establishment before the likes of an individual. I am a time served diesel fitter on large medium speed marine diesels and now a professional engineer but still the VP mechanic would carry more credibility because he is (supposedly) trained and current on that equipment. It would always be said I have a vested interest in a particular line of argument whereas the VP engineer does not.

We work throughout Europe and UK takes all H&S much further than anywhere else. It costs significantly more to carry out EPC contracting here in UK than anywhere else in Europe simply because our methods and procedures go so much further than Europe despite us all using the same rules. Now that may not make it right and you may ridicule it but that is the world we live in. Like your comment about VP engineers, perhaps its better not to use them and invalidate guarantees. You make some very sweeping assumptions knowing few of the circumstances.

Perhaps you should read the story again.
Last year no bug
Full service, no bug
20+ hrs running
Fill up and treatment before tax hike last year.
Little use over winter
Few hours here and there early year
Check over in Spring, drop filters etc. No bug.
Fill up with fuel in Brighton a few weeks back.
Now massive contamination

As you say, conjecture. But "professional" involvement last year and this suggests no bug. I am not saying they are gods gift to boat engine mechanics but I am saying they have no issue one way or the other. As you seem to suggest maybe they are incompetant, who knows, but they are impartial.
 
Fill up and treatment before tax hike last year.
Little use over winter
Few hours here and there early year
Check over in Spring, drop filters etc. No bug.

"How many other ways of getting it other than taking on contaminated fuel."



Go on I'll carry on trying, not sure why.

You've got water in your fuel tank, else bugs cant survive or multiply. The bugs have blocked your filters, else they would not have affected performance.

Not sure where Elf and safety comes into this, less you want to try and sue Brighton Marina. Or is it Volvo??

Anyone can get the bug, you do not have to have had it before. It need not stop the boats use, it just needs normal precautions, like keeping spare filters and doseing the tank a few times.

"I am a time served diesel fitter on large medium speed marine diesels and now a professional engineer "

I expect you know all that then.
 
David_J said:
As you say, conjecture. But "professional" involvement last year and this suggests no bug.
Click to expand...

With my microbiologists hat on, there are a few things to consider here.

First of all, all diesel will have some bug contamination in it. There are many types of diesel bug. Some grow on water/diesel interface, other don't need water, and just grow in the fuel.

Biocides won't necessarily stop diesel bug growing.

Diesel bug grows relatively slowly, so it takes some time to mass sufficient to clog filters unless conditions are absolutely ideal.

It is very likely the bug has been growing there for some time, maybe in a hidden away part of the tanks. The fact that none showed up in the filters means nothing other than it hadn't reached the filters. Running the engines and moving the boat could have dislodged a mass of bug (which is pretty glutinous) which reached the filters finally.

So a recent refuel doesn't mean that is where the contamination came from, just that the filters had not been affected up till this point
 
BrendanS said:
With my microbiologists hat on, there are a few things to consider here.

First of all, all diesel will have some bug contamination in it. There are many types of diesel bug. Some grow on water/diesel interface, other don't need water, and just grow in the fuel.

Biocides won't necessarily stop diesel bug growing.

Diesel bug grows relatively slowly, so it takes some time to mass sufficient to clog filters unless conditions are absolutely ideal.

It is very likely the bug has been growing there for some time, maybe in a hidden away part of the tanks. The fact that none showed up in the filters means nothing other than it hadn't reached the filters. Running the engines and moving the boat could have dislodged a mass of bug (which is pretty glutinous) which reached the filters finally.

So a recent refuel doesn't mean that is where the contamination came from, just that the filters had not been affected up till this point
Click to expand...

Now that did not take a long explaination or be agruementative..

I would agree totally, biggest problem here is lack of fuel being used and the need to fill the tank offen. An ideal enviroment for the bug to wait and strike when you least expect.

I suggest use the boat more and let the filter do their job let the tanks run as low as you feel comfortable with before filling again and have plenty of filters at the ready to cure any blockages. If really bad get the fuel polished.
 
Never thought brendon would come to my aid.:confused:

I've had the bug three or four times, though not for the last five years. You cant tell you've got it, till one day it blocks the filters. Removal method has always been Soltron, miles and miles Soltron, new filters, miles and miles, soltron. I could have swore I got one lot from Padstow, as the boat slowed down after that fill up. But it never had time to block the filters, did it.
 
Using Biocides

Having re-fuelled yesterday and adding Grotamar as usual to keep the tanks at the proper preventative concentration it was interesting to read in Brendan's post that "biocides won't necessarily stop diesel bug growing".

Is there any experience on the forum of using a biocide consistently and correctly and still getting the bug?




Harpsden
 
BrendanS said:
With my microbiologists hat on, there are a few things to consider here.

First of all, all diesel will have some bug contamination in it. There are many types of diesel bug. Some grow on water/diesel interface, other don't need water, and just grow in the fuel.

Biocides won't necessarily stop diesel bug growing.

Diesel bug grows relatively slowly, so it takes some time to mass sufficient to clog filters unless conditions are absolutely ideal.

It is very likely the bug has been growing there for some time, maybe in a hidden away part of the tanks. The fact that none showed up in the filters means nothing other than it hadn't reached the filters. Running the engines and moving the boat could have dislodged a mass of bug (which is pretty glutinous) which reached the filters finally.

So a recent refuel doesn't mean that is where the contamination came from, just that the filters had not been affected up till this point
Click to expand...

Hi Brendan
Many thanks for that. Good stuff and just the sort of reasoned comment I was looking for.
 
Labhaoise said:
Now that did not take a long explaination or be agruementative..

I would agree totally, biggest problem here is lack of fuel being used and the need to fill the tank offen. An ideal enviroment for the bug to wait and strike when you least expect.

I suggest use the boat more and let the filter do their job let the tanks run as low as you feel comfortable with before filling again and have plenty of filters at the ready to cure any blockages. If really bad get the fuel polished.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. One tank has mild contamination, we think, but as Brendan says maybe there is a bigger problem hiding away in a corner of the tank somewhere just waiting. The other tank is so bad the whole of the diesel is black, not red!! Specialist company is in and are centrifuging and cleaning!!
 
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