47GC
Well-Known Member
What the experts opinion on treating the tanks of a new boat with diesel bug treatment as a preventative measure?
Diesel Bug Treatment
- Thread starter 47GC
- Start date
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Not an expert, but if you mean treating the physical structure of the tanks, that's a question of proper design to prevent any water access e.g. from the filler pipe, or from the breather. An inspection hatch built in at an accessible point. Make sure the diesel filler point has uncompromised O ring seals, and is not lying in rainwater gully.
There are a number of standard additives which can be added to kill bacterial activity. Bear in mind that bacteria can live in diesel alone, though they normally breed near the diesel water interface. See many previous threads.
Source a quality diesel product, and check its provenance with the supply company/marina, and find if the storage tank is regularly and quickly emptied and replenished, perhaps even dosed with the marina's required treatment fluid.
You should be able to draw fuel/water from the bottom of the tank to check visually the content quality. Duplex fuel supply and filters are an alternative methodology if there is room and funding.
Spare fuel filters in abundance, and ease of changing them.
And knowing how and where the supply and return lines run.
There are a number of standard additives which can be added to kill bacterial activity. Bear in mind that bacteria can live in diesel alone, though they normally breed near the diesel water interface. See many previous threads.
Source a quality diesel product, and check its provenance with the supply company/marina, and find if the storage tank is regularly and quickly emptied and replenished, perhaps even dosed with the marina's required treatment fluid.
You should be able to draw fuel/water from the bottom of the tank to check visually the content quality. Duplex fuel supply and filters are an alternative methodology if there is room and funding.
Spare fuel filters in abundance, and ease of changing them.
And knowing how and where the supply and return lines run.
Last edited:
SammyB
Well-Known Member
We always use diesel bug treatment even on a new boat and add the required amount every time we fill the tanks.
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
https://liquideng.co.uk/collections/fuel-set-collection
Recommended by Volvo dealer, not had a problem since.
Recommended by Volvo dealer, not had a problem since.
Momac
Well-Known Member
Whether the boat is new or old makes no difference to the risk of diesel bug.
I have used marine 16 diesel fuel complete when refuelling. I may have missed the odd occasion.
The product used is up to you. I may switch to something else to confuse the bugs !
.
I have used marine 16 diesel fuel complete when refuelling. I may have missed the odd occasion.
The product used is up to you. I may switch to something else to confuse the bugs !
.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
How many different fuel suppliers on Loch Lomond? If you'll always fill at the same place then I'd do some research about their fuel, by asking around at your marina, and/or going down to the fuel berth for a chat. Some fuel sellers treat their fuel with bug killer, in which case you don't need to worry about it.
Bandit
Well-Known Member
I am in the boat engine trade so to speak.
When I bought current boat it was contaminated, I treated with Grotamar 87 biocide and had my fuel remotely filtered.
In my boat I treat every delivery of diesel, I strip the Fuel tank sumps annually and I inspect my filters and drain if necessary.
I am lucky the co that built my boat fitted sumps in each tank about 2 litres, most boat builders build in neither sumps nor drains.
If I bought a boat new I would dose all fuel from day 1 with Grotamar 87 biocide.
If contaminated fuel goes through to your fuel pump budget on £5K to £7K per engine to fix a common rail fuel system.
When I bought current boat it was contaminated, I treated with Grotamar 87 biocide and had my fuel remotely filtered.
In my boat I treat every delivery of diesel, I strip the Fuel tank sumps annually and I inspect my filters and drain if necessary.
I am lucky the co that built my boat fitted sumps in each tank about 2 litres, most boat builders build in neither sumps nor drains.
If I bought a boat new I would dose all fuel from day 1 with Grotamar 87 biocide.
If contaminated fuel goes through to your fuel pump budget on £5K to £7K per engine to fix a common rail fuel system.
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
I don't think you can do any harm by dosing the fuel. I use Marine 16, less than £10 to dose 1000 litres of diesel.
Bandit
Well-Known Member
Grotamar 87 in Guernsey is about £37 a litre which treats 4,000 litres so £9.25 / 1,000 litres its insurance but you still need to be scrupulous about removing water and checking diesel pre-filters ( Racor/ Separ) whenever you can.
Fuel from the road tanker about 35p per litre.
Fuel from the road tanker about 35p per litre.
47GC
Well-Known Member
Most of what's been said, I think I kinda knew, but as always the forum is great to just sanitise my thoughts.
I've ordered up a few bottles of Marine 16 and will stick that in both tanks as a preventative measure.
Thanks all.
I've ordered up a few bottles of Marine 16 and will stick that in both tanks as a preventative measure.
Thanks all.
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Good call?
