Diesel treatment- recommendation?

Sticky Fingers

Sticky Fingers

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What's the current preference / recommendation for an effective treatment that can be added to diesel to stop the formation of diesel bug. This in a boat with perfectly clean tanks (ie no current problems with bug or water in fuel)? If it makes any difference this is for a boat predominantly refuelled at Solent marinas (Premier, MDL etc).
 
I have used Marine 16 every year on my Azi. There are a couple f alternatives, but this is easy to use. Small bottle from Force 4, and I put half in each 500l tank. This is possibly and overdose, but I don’t think there are negative implications as a result.
 
Scala said:
What's the current preference / recommendation for an effective treatment that can be added to diesel to stop the formation of diesel bug. This in a boat with perfectly clean tanks (ie no current problems with bug or water in fuel)? If it makes any difference this is for a boat predominantly refuelled at Solent marinas (Premier, MDL etc).
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if you are filling up at premier they pre dose with soltron so you don't need to do anything.
If you feel the need to do anything is has to be soltron not marine 16 as you shouldn't mix them.
 
RNLI use M16 and so do I :) I order it once every year, or every other year, direct from manufacturer. Once my tanks have been cleaned from bug (as proven by the Racor filter) I will then use the 'diesel fuel complete' additive also by M16. If stocking up with Jerry cans a dash of diesel fuel complete is always added to keep the fuel fresh.

Some people swear by Grotomar.
 
Elessar said:
if you are filling up at premier they pre dose with soltron so you don't need to do anything.
If you feel the need to do anything is has to be soltron not marine 16 as you shouldn't mix them.
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I did read soltron is good if you use the boat regularly. If its sitting around not being used much soltron may not be the best. I have used Soltron with excellent results on passage.
 
MartynG said:
I recently added a comment on the thread with the link below after two years use of Clearwinner LA88.
Good value I think at £12+VAT for 500ml which treats 1000 litres . To be clear , I am a customer and no connection with the business.

Diesel Fuel Treatment , Clearwinner LA88

.
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Thanks for reviving that adding your 2 y + experience.
It does seem remarkably great value and the Co ,s web site is pretty informative in terms of the general issue preserving stored infrequently used diesel .
Next time I,am in the U.K. I may get some .

In the Med 15 years I just use what’s available....Startron every fill up .
No particular tech reason it’s what’s in the shops .
Its a enzyme version dissolves and thus destroys the fuel water inter face .

We have WIF alarms and Racor 900 s with clear bowls + taps .Sump taps on the tanks . Just ( 2003 ) electronic boggo , pre common rail .

I understand the stakes are pretty high with CR ,there’s no latitude for $hit or water getting through if so =£ /€ bills ....big bills .

So I guess those folks with CR and zero home mitigation are rolling the dice every time they fill up .

Personally we move around a lot in the season and fill up here ,there, and everywhere so are in the hands of each marina s tank hygiene ......which we have no record .
Only positive being hopefully regular , and high ish summer throughput .

For the sake of €30 / €1000 top up ......it’s a no brainier the concept .

As for which type and thus brand , which is what the OP is asking imho .....Daz , Persil , Omo etc ....I think they all work in any washing machine . :)
 
Elessar said:
I was advised by a marine diesel bug company that each reduced the effectiveness of the other, so adding a biocide type like marine 16 is not a good idea with an enzyme type like soltron. You could add starbrite if you like though.
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Interesting! I thought soltron was starbright! So I had better amend everything I said previously! Starbright 'Star Tron' is good for regular use but not so good for sitting around with. Soltron is completely different and if it was added at every fuel dump our lives would probably be a lot easier :)
 
Star-Lord said:
Interesting! I thought soltron was starbright! So I had better amend everything I said previously! Starbright 'Star Tron' is good for regular use but not so good for sitting around with. Soltron is completely different and if it was added at every fuel dump our lives would probably be a lot easier :)
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I think soltron and starbrite are the same type of treatment ie enzyme. Whether they are the same thing with a different badge I’ve no idea.
 
Portofino said:
Thanks for reviving that adding your 2 y + experience.
It does seem remarkably great value and the Co ,s web site is pretty informative in terms of the general issue preserving stored infrequently used diesel .
Next time I,am in the U.K. I may get some .
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It seems Clear-winners usual clients are farmers and companies who operate boats and possibly ships who would buy the product in larger quantities so perhaps the price.
I ordered by email and the product arrived within a couple of days and the invoice arriving a day or two later so not the usual online mail order and pre-pay arrangements. I don't think they sell through any retailers for the leisure marine industry.

Of course the lack of fuel issues doesn't prove anything ........... my engines are running nicely but the same might be true with no treatment.
 
MartynG said:
It seems Clear-winners usual clients are farmers and companies who operate boats and possibly ships who would buy the product in larger quantities so perhaps the price.
I ordered by email and the product arrived within a couple of days and the invoice arriving a day or two later so not the usual online mail order and pre-pay arrangements. I don't think they sell through any retailers for the leisure marine industry.

Of course the lack of fuel issues doesn't prove anything ........... my engines are running nicely but the same might be true with no treatment.
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I never used bug treatment and never had a problem. I do use my boat often throughout the year and presumed the fuel turnover made it ok.

And then I did get the bug.

It took me a year to eradicate it including cutting a hole in one of my fuel tanks. It was a misery.

I now use bug treatment.
 
So do I but I didn't want to be accused of saying a product works, when the absence of a problem may not be considered as good evidence.
 
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