Diesel is good to go...

Piers

Piers

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 Jun 2001
Messages
3,599
Location
Guernsey, Channel Islands
www.playdeau.com
After 14 years, we checked the sumps of Play d'eau's diesel tanks, yesterday. Joy upon joy - not a hint of water, not a hint of diesel bug. Just good, clear diesel.

So, treating each fill-up, with start and end of season 'dosing', it's worked. Yippee!
 
Piers said:
After 14 years, we checked the sumps of Play d'eau's diesel tanks, yesterday. Joy upon joy - not a hint of water, not a hint of diesel bug. Just good, clear diesel.

So, treating each fill-up, with start and end of season 'dosing', it's worked. Yippee!
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I assume you have fuel polishing as well?
 
I'm quite anal when it comes to the diesel bug, even though I've never heard of a case in my locale. When I first ordered my boat I saw there was a power take off for a fuel polishing system, I decided that was going to be my first bit of kit on my new boat. But when I asked the dealers all I got were Gallic shrugs and nobody has ever heard of such a thing. But I always dose it whenever I fill up, but I must remember to carry spare filters
 
Glad to hear that Piers. I have been dosing my tanks with Soltron for years and touch wood no issues yet. Fuel nice and clear and minimal fouling of filters.

j
 
A1GSS said:
What treatment product do you use?
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Having always believed that it's good to keep changing treatments to prevent 'immunity', I first used Soltron, then Fuel Doctor, and currently Grotomar 82. I also take care to fill up from marinas which appear to sell a great deal of diesel, and I don't fill up within 24 hours of a delivery.
 
We have the option of either the fuel dock or delivery by tanker. What do you think is best for bug free fuel?
 
Bouba said:
I'm quite anal when it comes to the diesel bug, even though I've never heard of a case in my locale. When I first ordered my boat I saw there was a power take off for a fuel polishing system, I decided that was going to be my first bit of kit on my new boat. But when I asked the dealers all I got were Gallic shrugs and nobody has ever heard of such a thing. But I always dose it whenever I fill up, but I must remember to carry spare filters
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Fuel polishing has been a key subject of debate for many years, but I believe it's something which is poorly understood. There are the two key elements to polishing. First, to keep the fuel dust free, the second to ensure that anything which has built up at the base of the tanks (typically water and dead bug) has been removed.

The first is best achieved by the overspill of fuel being drawn by the engines and returned to the tanks. This fuel will have been through at least two sets of filters and will continue being cycled for as long as the engines are turning.

The second is only achieved by a properly installed polishing system, comprising a competent filtration system and a really powerful pump. The return pipe from the pump should be aimed such that the outflow is directed at the base of the tank to stir up whatever may be lurking there. The draw should be 'somewhere' mid-tank', sucking out the now mucky fuel before passing it through the filtration system.

You will see a number of polishing systems on the market, but if they are not plumbed in to achieve the above, and if the pump and filtration system are not man enough, they will not work.
 
Bouba said:
We have the option of either the fuel dock or delivery by tanker. What do you think is best for bug free fuel?
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Hi Bouba, good question. Living in Guernsey I only refill at St Sampson's harbour from a bowser. Bowsers are filled and refilled many times a day and their fuel is always crystal clear. I'm cautious of marina fuel given it may have been sitting around for ages, the marina may not ever teat their tanks, and you never know if the tank in question is nearing empty and therefore dragging up rubbish. So I'd choose a bowser any day.
 
Piers said:
Hi Bouba, good question. Living in Guernsey I only refill at St Sampson's harbour from a bowser. Bowsers are filled and refilled many times a day and their fuel is always crystal clear. I'm cautious of marina fuel given it may have been sitting around for ages, the marina may not ever teat their tanks, and you never know if the tank in question is nearing empty and therefore dragging up rubbish. So I'd choose a bowser any day.
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That's what I'd figured. Only problem is I think the tanker ripped me off for about 100l but of course I can't prove it.
I think the PTO from the engine would be powerful enough but do you also need a day tank?
 
Bouba said:
That's what I'd figured. Only problem is I think the tanker ripped me off for about 100l but of course I can't prove it.
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That's a shame. The Guernsey bowsers have a metered delivery.

Bouba said:
I think the PTO from the engine would be powerful enough
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Sorry - no idea.

Bouba said:
do you also need a day tank?
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It's certainly a safety factor, but I feel that if you look after your diesel, a day tank isn't necessary. It's also another tank to treat and keep clean!
 
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