Diesel fuel additives.

[Mirelle]

I wandered into our nearest big chandlers and noticed shelves full of stuff to put in diesel fuel.

There was stuff to take the water out, marked HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE, which made me not buy it, as I rather like the idea of diesel not being very highly inflammable, there was stuff to put in the fuel in the winter, stuff to stop bugs growing in the fuel, stuff to keep the injectors happy and lots of other stuff.

It all seemed quite expensive.

We have a sailing boat with a little old engine. Is this sort of stuff worth while?

 

[TigaWave]

I've never used them, but I do open up inspection hatches to see if there is any muck/bugs etc and have emptied and cleaned one tank in the past. (the boat had been left unused for a year and there was 5mm of sludge in the bottom)

My last boat used diesel from UK to Trinidad, in 500hours of engine running never a problem, tank was as clean as a whistle. I did make an effort to never leave the tank half empty and changed filters/checked water traps regularly.

I carried two 5 gallon plastic containers to keep it topped up.

But then others will no doubt have different experiences.

 

[LeytonC]

Its worth while not having bug in your tank, my boat spent several years on a river (and was not really used) and the tank was rife with bug. I only found this out after a trip to portishead (Was green in them days)

I now use soltron, but thats my choice.

 

[waterboy]

Fuel Set is the only stuff reccomended by Kruger. These are the people who service Eberspachers in the central south coast UK area. They maintain a completely independant position from the FS company without any financial interest, e.g. they would not give me the name of any stockist, but say that FS was the only product that did the job and remained effective over a long period of time in the fuel tank.

Apparently Diesel fuel has a lower octane level these days. This does not affect a diesel engine which fires under compression but does affect diesel boilers like the Eberspacher causing them to coke up. Kruger say FS overcomes this, also dealing with bugs and water in the fuel. I found FS for sale in Aladin's Cave.

 

[dickh]

On my previous boat when I got it, it wouldn't rev above 2000 RPM and I believed the seller when hw said that was the optimum speed, but when I actually examined it after purchase, there was a small inline type plastic fuel filter in the fuel line which was totally gunged up with 'gunge'. I removed it, replaced the engine fuel filter and added another filter/seperator after the tank tap. Fine for about 4 years with annual filter changes, then in the middle of the season about 3 years ago I had to change filters again as the filter/seperator one was blocked with 'gunge'. I aquired some Soltron via mail order(much easier to get now) and I didn't have any more problems. Boat now sold and the new owner as far as I know has not had any fuel problems.
On my new boat I've fitted a new tank and fuel hoses so don't expect any problems for some time. I always filled up at layup time to prevent condensation from the SS tank. My new tank shouldn't suffer as it is plastic.
I suspect if you have a metal tank you will have sludge etc at the bottom, possible with the dreaded 'bug'. Take a sample of diesel and note the colour, it should be clear and a nice pinky/red colour. If it is cloudy and a dark red/brown colour you may have problems.
I annually changed filters and filled up before layup and got it - but it may have been lurking around when I got the boat.
I had to empty the (steel) tank on my new boat before cutting up and removal and the diesel was a dirty red/browny colour and I got rid of it via Mid Suffolk Council who collected the 20 gallons - FOC!.

 

[Mudhook]

Having had a few filter problems on first acquiring my boat, which had been laid up for three years, and seen the volume of black gunge that came out of the tank when I removed it after my first season, I have used Fuel Set ever since and never experienced any further problems in the following two years. There's no hatch to my tank and removal is quite involved, so the modest cost of a small bottle of FS (I am still on my first bottle of it!) seems worthwhile.

Regards, Mudhook.

 

[Swagman]

One has worked for us.
We used an additive after we got water in our tank earlier this year.
Removed most via filter drains - but the remaining diesel was a tad cloudy.
The additive seemed to work as it should - within hours the diesel had cleared.
Sorry - can't remember name but it was just off the shelf in the chandlers.
JOHN

 

[whisper]

"I now use Soltron, but that's my choice" - same here.

 

[Bergman]

Re: Do you have a problem

If not - don't try to solve one.

 

[sailorman]

soltron available @ woolverstone, asked n got a discount /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jerryat]

Yep, I've used Fuel Set for the last 16 years and have had no bugs/problems at all. Of necessity have bought diesel in lots of very dubious places too!

Get it in most motor factors, chandleries etc.

Cheers Jerry