Diesel in lube oil problem - the answer

[Birvidik_Bob]

Thanks to all who commented and made suggestions. Here's the end result:

All four injectors had fouled and all four needle valves had seized. This was due to heavily contaminated fuel bought at Gouvia Marina fuelling dock in Corfu. When the tanks were drawn off from the bottom I got 5 litres of water before anything even resembling fuel. The fuel, when I got it, was cloudy and heavily contaminated with diesel bug.

I had to have 4 new nozzles fitted (the last ones had only done 10 hours) and I changed the oil and all fuel & oil filters (For the second time in 10 engine hours). Then I drained the tanks and threw away 1000 litres of the crap that Gouvia flog allegedly as diesel. Cleaned the tanks (a long and vile job) and flushed the whole system through with 50 litres of clean diesel.

Fill her up and away we go. Fortunately I seem to have got away without damaging the big ends or the injection pump. Fingers crossed.

Only set me back 2000 euros in total, including the fuel.

I'm going to try to set my insurers on the fuel suppliers, but I don't hold out much hope.

Oh - and if anyone wants work done in Lefkas I can recommend Contract Yacht Services - they were brilliant.

Oh well, that's enough excitement for the time being. Back to the grind - we're off to Patras and Corinth.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Wot a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!
We nearly filled up at Gouvia last Sept.but thankfully we went on to Levkas.
Have a good cruise.

 

[keithandpam]

Hi Birvidik, what a nightmare for you, and we thought we were the only ones who had problems.....though we did have a good season last year. As we are booked in for next winter in Lefkas, we'll make sure we give Gouvia a wide berth.....happy sailing 2009....should catch up with you again one day!! PS, just looking across the harbour to the Groupama trimaran that has just broken the record of Marseilles to Cathage (470 miles) in just over 17 hours...that's about an average of 26 knots.....