DIESEL BUG

[Guest]

Just come back from the MBM Normandy Trip, having refuelled in St Vaast. I discovered that I'd had an attack of diesel bug. Indicators point to dirty fuel in St Vaast. Is there anyone out there, who has experienced a similar problem with St. Vaast Fuel?

 

[Guest]

I always as the chemical DB2 or similar when filling up, but despite this I've been bugged!!!. I've come across 2 oelectronic' systems, Fuel King & Fuel Max.

Has anyone any experience or comments in respect of these 2 products? I would appreciate your views as I'm seriously considering fitting them.

Thanx in anticipation.

 

[Guest]

Welcome back MF how was the GB cruise ? Your thread begs a reply from Depsol re S*****N I suspect
I put some in on last fill seems to be working

"The Med is calling me"

 

[DepSol]

Get a half litre of Soltron which treats 2500 litres of fuel. Fill tanks double dose with Soltron then watch the bug dissappear. Dont mess around the quicker you do it the quicker you will be clear of it.

Seriously this stuff works and fast ask anyone that has used it to clear the bug from this forum as well as Clive.

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[martinwoolwich]

Re: DIESEL BUG - At last a real life test

Hi John,

I was on the same Normandy Cruise and also filled up at St Vaast, It might have even been the same day or the day after you - either way pretty close, unlikely that the fuel I took on was any different from yours. Also I took on at least 3/4 of new fuel into each tank.

I did put Soltron in the tanks before filling as manufacturers spec - possibly even a little more.

For those reading - to save time . John has a Broom 42, I have a Broom 38. I think we both have Yanmar engines although I'm not sure and don't want to quit this mail message just to find out.

I haven't been down to the boat since the cruise so I don't know If I've got the bug, I'm next down this Friday.

Is there an easy well to tell if I've got the bug (for a non mechanically minded person who doesn't know his carb from his piston block), other than the engines stopping?

If so I'll check and report back. Should be interesting

 

[DepSol]

Re: DIESEL BUG - At last a real life test

Dont worry you wont have. If the fuel had the bug in t then the Soltron would have started to destroy it and all that shoul be left by now will be sludge that will continue to break down until it is small enoght to be sucked thru your filters and burnt during combustion.

Only thing is to make sure you put the right amount of Soltron in and that you havent stored your Soltron in sunlight. If you are orried that you did take on bug ridden fuel then stick another dose in this weekend in order to break down the slime quicker. Let me know what you find.

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[Guest]

Re: S*ltr*n and sunlight

Dom, you say store it away from sunlight. How sensitive is the stuff, and why's it sold in clear bottles?

BTW, I checked with management, and she agrees - we have subjectively a bit more poke from the engines, and a lot less smoke, since we've been using the stuff. Fuel consumption: no ideas...

 

[Guest]

Re: Martin

MF's got Yanmar 350's

"The Med is calling me"

 

[Medskipper]

Hi John,

I was also on the cruise and filled up just before Martin at St. Vaast. I did quite a lot of cruising after having filled up as I have only just got back to my home port in Chatham. I must have used every drop that was purchased in S.V. and I have not suffered any problems at all. I do however use the starbrite bug killer everytime I fill with diesel. On my last vessel I suffered huge problems with the bug and I have to say I dont think it just comes from one fill up! It grows over a period of time in your tanks and it needs 3 elements, i.e. water, fuel, and air to grow. If you have inspection hatches in your fuel tanks, take them off and have a look. The weed looks like a white stringy plant that infests the tank. If this is what you have it certainly is the bug! Once you have applied the weed killer, because thats exactly what it is! the weed dies and falls to the bottom of the tank in a sludgey heap! You then of course will need to clean out the tanks with a siphon or some kind of hoover device to remove all the sludge. After that, always use a product to kill it every time you fill up! I also use a product that reduces the water in the fuel as well so that I deprive it of one element that it needs to help it grow.

Good Luck

Barry (Philae)

I sat opposite you at the Indian meal which we had!

I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[Medskipper]

Re: DIESEL BUG - At last a real life test

Hi Martin,

We are back now! Had a great time cruising the Solent and the south coast! hope you are all OK. Hope to catch up with you later!

Barry


I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[Guest]

Thought you might be interested to know we (MBM) are about to embark on a 2 or 3 part fuel series, looking into the problems, preventitives, solutions etc of using diesel / petrol on boats.

First part out in October.

C