My boat diesel is STILL pink

[NPMR]

Even though I haven't bought 'red' diesel for years, possibly 4-5 years or more.

We only use about 2 tank's worth per year (maybe 20 gals), at the most. But still, the fuel in the filter has a pink tinge and the tank (see-through) is definitely "darkish".

So in the unlikely event we got to Belgium, what are the odds that we'd be 'over-the-limit' and duffed up by the local bureaucrats? Would we qualify as tax criminals?

I can't prove the time since the last red, but the spare stuff in our jerry-cans is all white.

 

[SailorBill]

Even though I haven't bought 'red' diesel for years, possibly 4-5 years or more.

We only use about 2 tank's worth per year (maybe 20 gals), at the most. But still, the fuel in the filter has a pink tinge and the tank (see-through) is definitely "darkish".

So in the unlikely event we got to Belgium, what are the odds that we'd be 'over-the-limit' and duffed up by the local bureaucrats? Would we qualify as tax criminals?

I can't prove the time since the last red, but the spare stuff in our jerry-cans is all white.

Staining of the tank?

Staining of the fuel filter element tainting the fuel going through it? When did you last change the filter?

Are the Belgians looking for actual red diesel or will mere evidence of it having been used be sufficient for them to levy a fine? I would have thought the former but who knows with bureaucrats.

Questions rather than answers so probably not much help.

 

[NPMR]

When did you last change the filter?

Filter changed every year and twice last year because of the dreaded black gunge!

Staining - quite probably but does that give me an 'out' or am I still guilty of something?

 

[SailorBill]

Filter changed every year and twice last year because of the dreaded black gunge!

Staining - quite probably but does that give me an 'out' or am I still guilty of something?

Your guess is as good as mine where bureaucrats are concerned.

I don't know how sensitive the red diesel tests are and what would constitute a 'fail'. Personally I think Belgium should be boycotted until this mess is sorted out. There are lots of other destinations in northern Europe that have at least as much to offer as Belgium. Why take the risk?

 

[Whitelighter]

Another case of UK hating euro****s.

I personally hope the euro implodes and takes them all with it (with the exception of the Scandinavians and, oddly, the Germans)

 

[Blueboatman]

Bring back Gunboat Diplomacy

Er do we or the Belge still have a gunboat or two?

 

[Elemental]

Another case of UK hating euro****s.

I personally hope the euro implodes and takes them all with it (with the exception of the Scandinavians and, oddly, the Germans)

It'll cost you an absolute fortune if it does. Odd thing to hope for ...

 

[aquaplane]

Have you tried running a bit of fuel off into a clear container, from the filter housing would probably be easiest?

That'll show if the fuel is still tinted or if it just looks coloured due to staining.

 

[maby]

It'll cost you an absolute fortune if it does. Odd thing to hope for ...

Get it over and done with now - it will only be more painful as each year goes by and the EU gets its tendrils ever deeper into us. Personally I just want to see the EU collapse and take their economies with it so we are left out on top.

 

[Fourbees]

Presumably, any Belgian yacht that was around in 2006 may still have pinkish diesel too, as Belgium had a derogation allowing pleasure boats to use marked fuel until then. I wonder how many Belgians have been fined?

 

[haydude]

Another case of UK hating euro****s.

I personally hope the euro implodes and takes them all with it (with the exception of the Scandinavians and, oddly, the Germans)

How ignorant! Scandinavians do not have the Euro! Which confirms the rule that the hatred for the EU is a product of ignorance and misinformation. I bet you read tabloids regularly too.

 

[Elemental]

Get it over and done with now - it will only be more painful as each year goes by and the EU gets its tendrils ever deeper into us. Personally I just want to see the EU collapse and take their economies with it so we are left out on top.

Trouble is - we wouldn't be left on top if their economies fail. Total economic collapse is in store for us if that happens. However if the UK were to withdraw from the EU - that's a different matter...

 

[Whitelighter]

Well, while it isn't the main currency, last Swedish boat I bought direct from the factory was priced in euros.

And the next one from Denmark is also priced in euros.

Don't make assumptions about me my friend, it's a very dangerous pass time

 

[GlennG]

Anyone got any idea how much a tank vacuum out and steam-clean costs?

Thinking that just maybe it'll be a good idea to swap over to white and get the tanks cleaned out at the same time.

If you play by the spirit of the rules, e.g. non marked diesel, then it's up to them to properly analyse it. If you've done your best to get rid of the bulk, whilst there's a trace of it, the volume ratio will be minuscule.

 

[aquaplane]

I have a feeling that even if you empty the tank and steam clean it, the staining will remain. Instead of speculating, the answer is to look ar a sample of the fuel taken from the tank and compare it with fresh duty paid fuel.

Any colour will be removed quicker if the tank is drained as much as possible before filling up. Draining, cleaning and starting from scratch seems extreem to me.

 

[GlennG]

I was thinking that it probably wouldn't be a bad thing to clean the tank out completely; get rid of any sludge, etc. As a side affect I could then fill with white and be done with it.

Just curious to the likely price of steam-cleaning in-situ?

 

[xyachtdave]

I cleaned a fuel tank last year on a 1995 boat. The white diesel put back in place of red is still white and the inside of a stainless tank showed no sign of staining left behind.

Our tank is small like yours, for the sake of 60 litres or so of fuel, it hardly seemed worth the bother of fuel polishing etc, so we started again with new.

I sloshed some hot water with detergent in it around it for 10 mins, emptied rinsed thoroughly and attached a Vidal Sassoon hair dryer to the inlet for half an hour. No moisture left inside, shiny stainless, clean new fuel added and very glad I made the effort.

I had 2 diesel bug moments previously, both after rough passsages, exactly when you want the engine to work to get in somewhere....it won't!

 

[alant]

Even though I haven't bought 'red' diesel for years, possibly 4-5 years or more.

We only use about 2 tank's worth per year (maybe 20 gals), at the most. But still, the fuel in the filter has a pink tinge and the tank (see-through) is definitely "darkish".

So in the unlikely event we got to Belgium, what are the odds that we'd be 'over-the-limit' and duffed up by the local bureaucrats? Would we qualify as tax criminals?

I can't prove the time since the last red, but the spare stuff in our jerry-cans is all white.

Its a girl thing!

 

[RestlessL]

I have just cleaned out my tank, and refilled wth white diesel. Even if there is a small trace of red dye remaining, this must be insignificant in comparison to the 1:1000 dose of Marine 16 "Fuel Complete" I have added to the road diesel (which is coloured red)

However, how do I keep it this way ? If need be, I could continue taking the cans to the nearest garage, but would prefer to buy at fuel pontoons. Will we be seeing these moving to non-dyed diesel or will all my efforts to clean the system be in vain ?

J

 

[maby]

I have just cleaned out my tank, and refilled wth white diesel. Even if there is a small trace of red dye remaining, this must be insignificant in comparison to the 1:1000 dose of Marine 16 "Fuel Complete" I have added to the road diesel (which is coloured red)

However, how do I keep it this way ? If need be, I could continue taking the cans to the nearest garage, but would prefer to buy at fuel pontoons. Will we be seeing these moving to non-dyed diesel or will all my efforts to clean the system be in vain ?

J

I fear you've wasted your time - can't see the marinas changing any time soon.