Red and white diesel

[Witchwood]

Can anyone categorically tell me if there are any potential problems with adding a few litres of red diesel into a fuel tank that is already half full of white? My understanding is that red is pretty much the same as white, but with a dye added. My concern is obviously to do with the compatability of the two fuels when mixed and whether this will effect the smooth running of the engine (1GM 10). Thanks in advance for replies.

 

[dt4134]

You mean Rosé diesel.

 

[edsailing]

Same fuel, different colour - to show what duty is paid. You pays your money and takes your chances!

 

[neale]

Anyone who takes their boat across the channel will be doing just that. Starting with red and mixing white in when they fill up abroad. I have never heard of any problems caused by this.

Red CAN be the same quality as white but often it has a higher sulphur content.

 

[prv]

I half-filled my brand new tank with a couple of cans from the garage before craning in, then later topped up with red from the fuel barge. It never would have occurred to me that this would be a problem.

Pete

 

[freespiritdavid]

1GM10 sips fuel so stay with white. I always have since renewing tank and lines after getting the bug from red in a marina.

 

[sailorman]

Can anyone categorically tell me if there are any potential problems with adding a few litres of red diesel into a fuel tank that is already half full of white? My understanding is that red is pretty much the same as white, but with a dye added. My concern is obviously to do with the compatability of the two fuels when mixed and whether this will effect the smooth running of the engine (1GM 10). Thanks in advance for replies.

carry on no probs

 

[NorthUp]

Will any colour make a 1 GM 10 run smoothly?

 

[jpay]

just to be aware i did this the other way round and i lost all power and the diesel came out the exhaust and into the water behind me...
Left me stranded half way up a river with only 2 paddles and six of us...

I had to empty the tank and try again with red diesel and the problem had completly gone...
Dont know the science of it but know now never to use white in my engine.

 

[sailorman]

just to be aware i did this the other way round and i lost all power and the diesel came out the exhaust and into the water behind me...
Left me stranded half way up a river with only 2 paddles and six of us...

I had to empty the tank and try again with red diesel and the problem had completly gone...
Dont know the science of it but know now never to use white in my engine.

just as well you dont live in Europe then

 

[l'escargot]

I have added a couple of gallons of white to the tank of both my current boat and previous boat when I have been getting low and I wanted to ensure that I had enough to get to a marina to fill up properly. The engines were a Yanmar YSB and a Perkins 4107. No apparent ill effects nor would I expect any.

 

[vyv_cox]

just to be aware i did this the other way round and i lost all power and the diesel came out the exhaust and into the water behind me...
Left me stranded half way up a river with only 2 paddles and six of us...

I had to empty the tank and try again with red diesel and the problem had completly gone...
Dont know the science of it but know now never to use white in my engine.

I think you have jumped to an incorrect diagnosis. The problem cannot possibly have been due to the diesel, it was contaminated, probably with water.

My Yanmar 30 has never had red diesel in it, as it has been in Europe throughout its life. Previous to fitting the Yanmar I had a Bukh20 which had been on red diesel for about 15 years, then switched to white when I moved the boat. Never had any fuel problems.