Fuel problem

[banger]

Friend is stuck in Sardinia with a dirty fuel problem, he has cleaned the tanks several times so it is not his problem but the fuel, it is leaving a sticky residue that is blocking his system, not just one supply seems to be general. Anyone else had this and if so what is the solution?

 

[duncan99210]

Sounds like diesel bug to me. The problem will be residues in the pipe work between tank and filters, he needs to flush the pipe work through before trying to refill the tank. Flush pipes through, replace filters, put a little clean fuel into the tank, suck fuel through filters from tank and recheck if all is clear. If not, repeat flushing pipes until nasty gunk is cleared through the system. He may need to get an air hose to blow through the pipes to clear the stuff out if it's been sitting for a long time.

 

[banger]

That is what I thought, but as I have never sailed in areas that are warm and mud free I thought I would check with people that are.

 

[duncan99210]

At the start of the season, before the mobos have been through the marina fuel berths and used up the fuel left in the tanks overwinter, there are often reports of diesel bug being present. For that reason, we always refuel by jerrycans until we can get to somewhere with fuel delivered to the quay by the local garage in a mini tanker.