What kind of diesel for an Eberspächer?

[extravert]

Are Eberspächer heaters happy with red, or do they prefer white? The price difference does not really matter given the tiny amount I use.


<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[Talbot]

Havent had any problems (so far - touch wood) with mine and red diesel. However I filter my diesel when filling the tank with a "smart tech" funnel, and use Fuel set to condition the fuel (Fuel set is the only one that is recommeded by Eberspacher, but the soltran man says that his will work faster than fuel set and do the same job). If you are having trouble, this may be the answer. There is a (small) filter in the Eber fuel line at the pump, I have considered adding another, but I have a very long lead to the pumpand think it may be too much - and with the pre-filter before filling should not be necessary. I have heard that if you cannot acchieve proper working by this, a seperate tank may be the answer, and if you are still having trouble, use parrafin in the tank instead of diesel for a while and it should clear it out - but I cant answer for the impact of this method on the system.

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[robbieg]

I've used a mixture of white & red with mine with & without Soltron. Seems to work fine whatever the fuel I've fed it.

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[extravert]

I've not had any trouble, it's just I need to fill my tank for the first time since getting the boat. Currently it has white diesel in it, but the boat previously lived in Sweden and perhaps red diesel is not so easy to get hold of there. I have a dedicated tank for the heater, the engine is an outbaord and uses petrol.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[ccscott49]

I've used red, white and parafin in mine and never had any trouble, never used an additive, but fuel set is good and solly is even better. (for engines anyway)

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[Talbot]

I think that there are two main differences between Red and white :

Price

Colour

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There may also be a few more additives to forecourt diesel, but if you use one of the conditioners that will more than make up for it. I also run an outboard, but mine is a diesel!!!

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[oldestgit]

Absolutely right Talbot....

Colour and Price...

I use red only from the main tank and not had a problem with either engine or Eberspacher.

No separate additives of any kind.

(Hope this posting is not tempting fate)


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[mldpt]

That sounds interesting a diesel outboard, I would like to know more. Is it very heavy how many cylinders etc, just interested, I already have a petrol one, must say though it would be great not to have petrol on board, I have a 35 gal diesel tank so could put in a tap to take off small amounts when needed in the outboard.
Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>www.sailingforfun.co.uk

 

[ccscott49]

I`ve seen quite a few in Africa, they are heavy and noisy, for their power output, but seem to work well. I also believe a few of the small ferry type guys in channel islands and suchlike use them aswell. I do know yamaha made one.

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[longjohnsilver]

The water taxis in Alderney use them, not particularly noisy but I wouldn't like to try and lift one! I think they're Yams.

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[Talbot]

Unfortunately for you, the smallest diesel outboard from Yanhma is a 27, and this is about the weight and size of a 40hp outboard. On full power it uses abt 1 gal an hour. There is another make - the ruggerini, which is smaller, but does not have such a good reputation.

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[jonjo]

Re: Quality not colour

A long term user of a diesel heater told me the solution was to either fit two parallel systems due to their failure rate or fit a dedicated heater fuel tank.

I don't think red diesel is chemically inferior its just that marine diesel engines can tolerate fuel stored in poorer conditions whereas the same stuff will cause an Eberspächer to choke.

This same person also suggested kerosene I think, but I am not sure where kerosene sits on the diesel/paraffin scale?

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[TheBoatman]

Re: Quality not colour

When I fitted the Erberspacher to the boat I used one of the un-used outlets on the main CAV filter as a feed. Been working now for 6 years no probs.

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[jonjo]

Re: Quality not colour

I would be interested to hear how long the gaps in heater usage are on your boat?

Frequent use is best I understand.

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[TheBoatman]

Re: Quality not colour

JonJo
The heater is probably used weekly all year round. The boat is ashore now for winter re-fit and we use it when on board not only does it keep us warm but prevents condensation/mildew. In the summer it's only used to dry the boat out after a wet sail? Or sometimes late in the evening when it's a bit damp and I'm in the cockpit with a large scotch and like to feel some heat coming out of the boat (or as Twister Ken likes to call it "the front room")
The only thing we have replaced is a glow plug and a main fuse, apart from that its worked perfectly.

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[AuntyRinum]

Surely red diesel is just white diesel with dye thrown into it? Why would it have different properties?

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