straining diesel fuel

[AndrewJ]

I have a bit of a problem with "algae" growing in my diesel. I've tried biocide and it doesn't seem to have worked, my fuel filters are clogging up. Does anyone know of a good way to strain these things out. (the only method I know of is withdrawing the fuel into another tank and then straining thru a nylon stocking. (one of the mates old ones))

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[vyv_cox]

The best solution is to drain the tank, steam clean it, flush all the lines, dump the old diesel and refill with new. You might get away with straining the diesel and adding biocide but is it really worth it?

If you believe all the hype you could try Soltron. Do a search, especially on Mobo, and you will find innumerable postings about it. I find it very difficult to believe all the claims made for this product but presumably some of them are borne out by fact.

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[AndrewJ]

Thank you. That does sound about the best and surest method.

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[AndrewB]

Where do you sail?

We picked up diesel bug in the tropics some years back, but with biocide and regular decanting of the tank sump (it needs the water that collects in the bottom, apparently), after a couple of winters back in England it had disappeared.

This summer it has appeared again ...

You could simply strain through the primary filter, if you have a gravity feed system. But I'm not sure it is fine enough to catch the spores.

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[AndrewJ]

I sail from Virginia US south, mostly around florida. I didn't notice the algae until this summer after the boat had laid up for the winter. I put the biocide in last year and have been running the engine periodically thru the winter. I recently (three weeks ago) changed the fuel filters and noticed that they "gunked" up again. Alot to be said for cold weather as the beasties seem to lie dormant during the cold. I like that idea of the steam clean, but getting the 50 gallon tank out is going to be a problem. I recently put somemore biocide in and will see how this works before I tackle the tank.

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[vyv_cox]

You can make a big improvement by sucking out as much debris at the bottom of the tank as possible. I think the best way is a laboratory eductor pump, the type that uses water flow to crate a vacuum, but these may not be readily available to you. An impeller pump driven by an electric drill works quite well, and possibly even a bilge pump. The pumps used to drain oil sumps are effective, especially the new ones with a vacuum pump and container. Use a length of rigid pipe to get into the tank corners, decant the whole lot into a drum and then filter it back, with the biocide.

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[Talbot]

worth considering using a "smart tech" funnel when you fill up. It will stop any water and very small particles from getting into your tank.

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[dickh]

I also have had to replace my primary filter this year three weeks ago. I always change the filters at Layup time and fill the tank. As this was the first time this had happened I cut open both the filters and only the primary filter was blocked, the egine filter was fine. I then investigated Micron ratings on filters after talking to Sabre Diesels who recommended a 20/30 micron filter as the primary filter with a 5 micron filter on the engine. Unfortunately, no one seems to make a reasonably priced 20/30 micron filter; they are all 5/8 micron. Racor appear to be the only firm who can supply 10/20/30 micron filter as well as 5 micron - and they are expensive!
I have also used Soltron for the last 2 years, but as this is the first time I appear to have this problem, it looks like I will have to change the filter more regularly.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[DepSol]

Richard

I find this surprising, and would like to investigate this with you further as we have never had any clients yet have blocked filters with continuos use of Soltron. In fact the very opposite, Alan Priddy went round the world and never had to change his main filter once!

There could be several reasons for this., but would like to go through them briefly with you as this can take ages to type about on the forum. we can keep it posted here if people are interested however, I think your problem may be one of three things.

Soltron left in sunlight too long?
Tank Rot?
Picked up bad fuel?

Soltron sould still filter well through 5 micron as we have passed the Military test for this using contaminated fuel at this level?

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[AndrewJ]

would soltron be avail in the US?, have not heard of it thru the regular boating stores, boatus or westmarine?

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[DepSol]

Not the same product I am afraid. In Europe it is specially blended to do what is required, however Soltron and Xbee are bought from a warehousing facility that are given a cheaper blend is the easiest way to explain it but in general not so many enzymes are present per 1,000,000 and this is what you get from the states. It does work but not as well as the European/English version.

Sorry

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[capnfantastic]

Very simple solutions have existed to solve these fuel problems without great expense or trouble.
I am the owner of a company which distributes both The Smart tech funnel and Algae-x. These are all you need.
Dont know if I am allowed to post commercial stuff here, just pointing out that the problem is not as serious as it is made out.

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[capnfantastic]

Alvailable are 2 products that do not require the addition of chemicals and or enzymes to perfectly good fuel.
ALGAE-X with a lifetime guarantee and Mr Funnel from Smart tech.
Available in London From Sunshine Maritime Ltd

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