petem
Well-Known Member
Boat has had little use over the past year and I have no idea how old the half tank of diesel is. I've no reason to suspect any nasties in the fuel but would it be worth adding a fuel treatment when I fill the tank tomorrow?
Fuel treatment
- Thread starter petem
- Start date
Mr Googler
Well-Known Member
Yup.
I'm using marine 16 complete fuel. Bug killer, fuel system cleaner, pump lubricant and raises cetane by 4 which will help with older fuel. Made a noticeable difference whilst I got through the old fuel.
I'm using marine 16 complete fuel. Bug killer, fuel system cleaner, pump lubricant and raises cetane by 4 which will help with older fuel. Made a noticeable difference whilst I got through the old fuel.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Depends on what risks you want to take with the fuel.
How many litres of fuel/how big the tank ?
Are you kitted out with spare filters and is it easy to replace them ?
Would you be happy to make up a fuel polishing DIY kit - about £70 ? Or can you borrow one ?
Have you a suction device like the Sealey to extract some fuel and inspect for clarity ?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-Manual-Vacuum-Fluid-Extractor/dp/B000RA16CO
Can you drain the tank without too much hassle if the treatment fails ?
Marine 16 has very good reports but in the diluted dose required for disinfection is unlikely to up the cetane rating by the figure quoted. I'd have to see some tech literature to believe the text on their website. They have many products for a lot of different fuel functions.
How many litres of fuel/how big the tank ?
Are you kitted out with spare filters and is it easy to replace them ?
Would you be happy to make up a fuel polishing DIY kit - about £70 ? Or can you borrow one ?
Have you a suction device like the Sealey to extract some fuel and inspect for clarity ?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-Manual-Vacuum-Fluid-Extractor/dp/B000RA16CO
Can you drain the tank without too much hassle if the treatment fails ?
Marine 16 has very good reports but in the diluted dose required for disinfection is unlikely to up the cetane rating by the figure quoted. I'd have to see some tech literature to believe the text on their website. They have many products for a lot of different fuel functions.
petem
Well-Known Member
I've none of that stuff and am more than happy to pay £25 or so if it will reduce the risk of any issues.
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Pete, a bottle of Marine 16 costs £8 or £9. Enough to dose 2000 litres iirc. Why wouldn't you?
sarabande
Well-Known Member
I'd hesitate to use the treatment on its own. A couple of sets of fuel filters, plus a separate can of very fresh (treated) diesel would also be on my shopping list.
kashurst
Well-Known Member
Give it a killer dose of your favourite biocide (grotomar works well), leave it for a week then take the boat for a a good thrash. Then recheck your filters. Take at least 6 racor/separ filter inserts with you. when boat goes to med make sure you take lots of biocide with you as it can be hard to get, expensive, and you cannot bring more on a plane later. Bug can be a problem in the med because of the warm weather and % of biofuel is higher too.
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
Marine 16. You want diesel big treatment and put a shock dosage in just to be sure
Portofino
Well-Known Member
Pete what system of Fiterage has it got ?
Presume all closed spin on,s primary and secondary .
If so (not now ) but on the "to do list " add replace the primary ( metal canister spin on ) with a suitable size Racor paper eliment type ,with a transparent bowl and if poss go the whole hog -get a pair with water in fuel sensors and fit the dial in the dash .
It's choppy sometimes and one day you will be caught out and the boat will get overly wet .
Wirh these as well as inspect the bowl you can open n lift and see the state of the elements ,ie see black specs .
Then in the med dodgy fuel is easily detected and sorted .
That's all assuming to safe to refit the fuel filter age ?
For now as others a dose of bug preventer .
Presume all closed spin on,s primary and secondary .
If so (not now ) but on the "to do list " add replace the primary ( metal canister spin on ) with a suitable size Racor paper eliment type ,with a transparent bowl and if poss go the whole hog -get a pair with water in fuel sensors and fit the dial in the dash .
It's choppy sometimes and one day you will be caught out and the boat will get overly wet .
Wirh these as well as inspect the bowl you can open n lift and see the state of the elements ,ie see black specs .
Then in the med dodgy fuel is easily detected and sorted .
That's all assuming to safe to refit the fuel filter age ?
For now as others a dose of bug preventer .
Last edited:
rgsmg53
Well-Known Member
+1 for Marine 16.
They do a 'bug killer' and also a test kit for the bug. They also do a 'Complete' which includes an element of bug treatment. See their website.
When I bought a twin-diesel boat recently, I gave it a good preventative dose of bug killer after the previous owner proudly claimed he had never treated his lightly-used tanks. I now tend to use 'Complete' as a maintenance dose which I reckon almost eliminates exhaust smoke in my case - although I admit my engines do get a bit spoilt!
They do a 'bug killer' and also a test kit for the bug. They also do a 'Complete' which includes an element of bug treatment. See their website.
When I bought a twin-diesel boat recently, I gave it a good preventative dose of bug killer after the previous owner proudly claimed he had never treated his lightly-used tanks. I now tend to use 'Complete' as a maintenance dose which I reckon almost eliminates exhaust smoke in my case - although I admit my engines do get a bit spoilt!
Gentlemanracer
Well-Known Member
Yes: Diesel Fuel Complete without doubt then M16 on refilling. The new-to-me boat had opaque bowls, I took a fuel sample and drew down all manner of grunge, assuming it came from the tanks. Turned out the bowls had not been cleaned out (probably for ever) and on opening the tap, I drew down blobs of accumulated black muck stuck around the bowl. So much for maintenance. Now I have see-through bowls and recommend them, ideally with WIF sensor / take off. Open the sample / bleed tap with the engine running, increases fuel flow, see what gets dragged down. Nothing is good, obviously.
Bandit
Well-Known Member
We use Grotamar 82 it's a biocide and it works very well.
get a measuring jug with ml markings on it for accurate dosing.
Preventative dose one litre treats 4,000 litres of diesel.
Shock dose one litre treats 1,000 litres of diesel
Firstly check over your bulkhead mounted Pre filters Racor or Separ etc pull out the element and inspect they should be clean with light amount of dust/debris. Drain the bowl into a white container and inspect for water clean filter replace element and reassemble.
Make sure you have at least three sets of spare prefilters on board as it's about all you ca do at sea is change an element.
When you fuel up dose the first time with a shock dose.
If you have a tank drain or a sump and stripping line draw some out and inspect for water and debris and bug.
If you have water in the tank you need to remove it.
If you let water get to your injection pump and injectors you are looking at a bill of several thousands.
get a measuring jug with ml markings on it for accurate dosing.
Preventative dose one litre treats 4,000 litres of diesel.
Shock dose one litre treats 1,000 litres of diesel
Firstly check over your bulkhead mounted Pre filters Racor or Separ etc pull out the element and inspect they should be clean with light amount of dust/debris. Drain the bowl into a white container and inspect for water clean filter replace element and reassemble.
Make sure you have at least three sets of spare prefilters on board as it's about all you ca do at sea is change an element.
When you fuel up dose the first time with a shock dose.
If you have a tank drain or a sump and stripping line draw some out and inspect for water and debris and bug.
If you have water in the tank you need to remove it.
If you let water get to your injection pump and injectors you are looking at a bill of several thousands.
