Fuel Additives

[westernman]

It has been quite a few years since there has been much discussion about different fuel additives. In the mean time, we seem to have some bio in a lot of the diesel available for boats in the Med.

So what do the punters currently use for fuel additive such as Soltron, Grotamar, Startron etc etc?
What works?

 

[Portofino]

Startron @ € 30 a fill up -peanuts in the macro ecomonics of our hobby .Available at my marina shop -that's the buying decision .

Does it work - don,t know for sure -could be snake oil ,It's my 11th Med Season -so far so good .

 

[oldgit]

Have never ever used any fuel additive but my boat club doses its fuel with Grotomar.
The only blockage ever encountered was due to a problem with fuel being pumped in error from the sump of a bunker barge.
Primary filters full up with what looked very much like aerated old lard.
Have merely relied on constantly using boat and turning over the fuel,
seems to have done the trick.

 

[TwoHooter]

There was this thread which got diverted into fuel supplies. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?449622-Diesel-additives-needed-or
I use Stanadyne Performance Formula because it is recommended by the Lugger/John Deere expert on the Nordhavn Owners Group. http://www.dieselpartsdirect.co.uk/fuel-additive-/stanadyne-performance-formula-5l.htm

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I use Marine 16 ... no idea if it's effective but it's reassuringly expensive so I kid myself it's doing something!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Was talking to an owner on Sunday who has used a diesel biocide regularly to great effect; his tank has a large removable inspection hatch so he checks annually. Tank is perfect inside. So that might be good luck of course... he said he just bought whatever the chandlers had at the time, not a specific brand.

 

[omega2]

Have never ever used any fuel additive but my boat club doses its fuel with Grotomar.
The only blockage ever encountered was due to a problem with fuel being pumped in error from the sump of a bunker barge.
Primary filters full up with what looked very much like aerated old lard.
Have merely relied on constantly using boat and turning over the fuel,
seems to have done the trick.

+1

 

[Rgrwynne]

I was advised to use Fuel Set, by a few VP dealers at the boat show. Like others before, no real idea if it does what is says. The Spanish distributor, who is English swears by the product, but then she would. It is not cheap, but does give me peace of mind. Supposed to be good at dealing with bugs in the diesel tank, and as I leave long periods with no use, in Spain, I guess I need to do something,
Cheers,
Roger

 

[Momac]

I have used Marine 16 Diesel Fuel Complete which claims to have benefits in keeping the fuel system clean in addition to protecting against bug. I agree with the thoughts that the product may not seem cheap but , for me, the cost is not great in terms of annual boating cost.
I have also considered fuel set , which I think acts quite differently to Marine 16.

Using the boat regularly has many advantages in avoiding faults that are a consequence of inactivity.

 

[Rgrwynne]

Thanks for that Martyn, I had not considered alternatives, but will now look into that. Marine 16 does have some good reviews,
Rgds,
Roger

 

[alancollins]

I think I read somewhere that it is prudent to vary the type of additive occasionally, as the bugs can build up an immunity to a particular chemical over time. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[kindredspirit]

Have used Fuelset for the last 15 years. Seems to work.

 

[boatingdave]

I use Marine 16 ... no idea if it's effective but it's reassuringly expensive so I kid myself it's doing something!

I use Marine 16 as well, never had the bug. However, and this is based on anecdotal heresay so don't take as gospel, Marine 16 is slightly acidic and makes a difficult environment to grow the bug - however not good for steel tanks. There are enzyme based additives around which do not have this problem.

 

[Captain G]

I got caught out recently sailing in Croatia. After 10 years of no fuel problems whatsoever, my engine gave up. I had just had it serviced so was completely at a loss. I went below and and checked the filters and lines and found no fuel coming from the tank. After an hour I gave up and sailed back to Split. I got a tow back into the marina and the mechanic came to the boat. I had the dreaded diesel bug after a winter on the hard with the tank half full. I was advised to fill the tank up to full and use bMarine 16 to kill what was in there.
It seams to have done the job!!! I wouldn't fill up without it now. lesson learnt.

 

[Bandit]

I use Grotamar 82 formulated for no diesel.
when I got my boat it had had fuel bug I treated tanks with Grotar 71 (then) and remotely filtered the tanks and stripped water out.

I treat with Grotamar 82 every time I refuel it's a no brainer.

Its important to remove water from your tanks. My boat has sumps in the fuel tanks with a stripping line.

 

[Piers]

Does the forum think it's important to change from one additive to another every so often to stop resilience building up?

 

[Momac]

Is there any evidence that diesel bug can become resilient to treatment? I suspect not.

 

[rich]

I have been using an enzyme treatment for the last 18 years with no problem, I will not mention the name as it upsets some people on this forum ️

 

[julians]

I've only owned a diesel boat for the last 3 years,but I don't use any additives and haven't had any issues. This is in the med.

Others I know have had diesel boats for much longer and also don't use any additives,and also have had no issues.

 

[boatingdave]

I think the trick is - if you use the boat a reasonable amount and use decent quality fuel then you won't need it but if you don't have the tanks full during the winter, don't use it much and possibly use fuel that may have a lot of moisture in it then you should add it.