Which Diesel Fuel Biocide Treatment

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mark1882

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Hi

As some of you will of seen from previous posts of mine I am having a new stainless steel fuel tank fitted in my boat.

I am determined to keep the tank as clean as possible and to this end several people, in response to my previous posts, have mentioned the importance of using a good diesel fuel biocide.

In the past I have used Marine 16 Fuel Complete and StarTron Enzyme Fuel Treatment.

I would welcome any advice as to what members have used and any recomendations.

Thanks

Mark
 
I suspect you won't see any post saying 'I use xxx and it's no good'.

I use Fuel Set and I have no problems, there is regularly sediment in the trap, clean every 200 hours or so, change filters also. 200 hours with my 135hp is a lot of fuel, it goes through several times before it's used. As I get through several thousand litres a year, and the tank is forty years old steel, I shan't complain.
 
Having had diesel engines in boats now for nearly 50 years, and having used many tens of thousands of litres of fuel in that time, I have NEVER used any fuel treatment. My various tanks have always had water / dirt sumps, and I am careful with fuel cleanliness. I have never had any problems with my fuel. I have also, in my boats, never used biofuel.
As far as I am concerned -- Snake Oil, but I wouldn't try to dissuade anyone from using it if it makes them feel better.
 
mark1882 said:
Hi

As some of you will of seen from previous posts of mine I am having a new stainless steel fuel tank fitted in my boat.

I am determined to keep the tank as clean as possible and to this end several people, in response to my previous posts, have mentioned the importance of using a good diesel fuel biocide.

In the past I have used Marine 16 Fuel Complete and StarTron Enzyme Fuel Treatment.

I would welcome any advice as to what members have used and any recomendations.

Thanks

Mark
Click to expand...

Both of those are regarded as effective. I've used Marine 16 and Marine 16 Complete since I discovered a small infestation of bug, mostly in the starboard tank but a little in the port one. Since starting to use it a couple of years ago the fuel I run off from the tank drains is always crystal clear.

Richard
 
There is only one serious contended - used by the haulage & fleet industries. Its Millers Eclipse but you need to find a stockist as its not officially available to non professional users.
As well as killing the bugs and preventing re growth, its also available with a Cetane enhancer plus cleaning and lubricating agents for smoother more efficient running.

http://www.millersoils.co.uk/commercial/tds-commercial-vehicle.asp?prodsegmentID=747&sector=Fleet

Very good pdf on the subject and about biodiesel issues:

http://www.millersoils.co.uk/pdf/commercial/Millers_Oils-Green-Transport.pdf
 
Most recently I've bought Millers Eclipse Powercide Plus. It's marketed more for commercial vehicle applications than marine but that probably simply implies significantly lower price. It's available via ebay and, very conveniently for me, can be bought over the counter at a dealer less than a mile from one of the Staffordshire exits off the M6.
 
richardbrennan said:
What's the smallest quantity it comes in?
Click to expand...

500ml for the Powercide and 1L for the multi shot. I bought a 5L can and use it in boat, camper & cars.

You need the shock dose to kill existing bugs and then use the multi use Powercide Pkus thereafter:

ECLIPSE POWERCIDE PLUS

PREVENTS FUEL BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION, INCREASES FUEL EFFICIENCY, LOWERS EMISSIONS AND CLEANS INJECTORS.

A specialist diesel fuel treatment, which combines an effective treatment for the prevention of bacterial and fungal conamination with improved cetaneand detergent additives for increased fuel efficiency, lower emmissions and cleaner injectors. To eradicate bacterial and fungal contamination first use Ecipse Shock Dose then follow with Eclipse Powercide Plus for continued protection against contamination.

APPLICATION:
Add to the bulk fuel tank or individual vehicle tanks in the ratio one part to 1000 parts fue (1ml/litre).


ECLIPSE SHOCK DOSE

HELPS ERADICATE BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL CONTAMINATION OF FUEL & FUEL SYSTEMS

A highly effective diesel fuel treatment, which helps to eradicate problems caused by bacterial and fungal contamination. For use where contamination of the fuel and fuel system has already occured.

APPLICATION:
Add to fuel in the ratio one part to 1000 parts fuel (1ml/litre).
Eclipse Powercide Plus should be added to the fuel to offer continued protection against contamination.
 
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May be worth noting re my post: the trap we had made was connected to two brand new S/S tanks. It was, in S/S, shaped like a house, about 18in long and 12in high 9in wide, the fuel came in at one end ground floor, passed along and up through two small cutouts in the corners of the first floor, back along upstairs and out the gable end, the two chimneys had bleeder nuts on. It was at a slight angle with a drain at the low end. As said, never had a scrap of muck from it, never used biofuel (it was 1988- 2006 or so), always filled from our own tank on the quay which was also well drained and settled. In spite of all that it was steadily filling with crud the whole time, yet we only saw clean fuel from it. We were rather proud of the design as well, waste of time, it only acted like a credit card, putting off the payback.
 
NormanS said:
Having had diesel engines in boats now for nearly 50 years, and having used many tens of thousands of litres of fuel in that time, I have NEVER used any fuel treatment......QUOTE]

That may well be the reason why you did not have to treat. High fuel turnover using tens of thousands of litres in 50 years!

Having helped a boat owner out this year when his engine stopped enroute to Valencia due to contracting the bug, despite a good maintenance regime, and having listened to many others that have had similar problems including Hurricane of this parish, whom had problems despite using high volumes of fuel in a nearly new Princess 67, I for one will continue to treat my fuel - I use Marine 16 too. Its a no brainer, prevention better than cure and all that.

I believe all Diesel now contains a small but increasing percentage of biofuel. You may very well have a good source/supplier of clean fuel, that is certainly not the case in all marinas!

I do however hope you have continued success, not treating your fuel.:cool:
Click to expand...
 
Humblebee said:
I seem to remember a PBO test some years ago which found Grotomar the best of those tested. I use it and have had no problems but then I maybe wouldn't have had anyway - who can tell.
Click to expand...

I think it came joint top with Marine 16:
diesel_bug_Page_3_zps9i51cpbe.jpg
 
Or just a simple polishing system - keep it clean and dry - no bug, no additional cost on fuel that is already overpriced. Works for the Royal Navy. A simple rig can be put together for < £200 including multiple access points.

Can also be used to prime fuel filters mounted above the fuel level in the tank.

Details about my system on the blogsite for my last boat and I have just fitted the system to my new boat.

www.turbo36.wordpress.com/improvements

I would use a chemical additive in an emergency where heavy bug is found as part of a cure clean up process, such as Fuel Set, but not IMHO necessary as a prevention where other means are used.
 
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superheat6k said:
Or just a simple polishing system - keep it clean and dry - no bug, no additional cost on fuel that is already overpriced. Works for the Royal Navy. A simple rig can be put together for < £200 including multiple access points.

Can also be used to prime fuel filters mounted above the fuel level in the tank.

Details about my system on the blogsite for my last boat and I have just fitted the system to my new boat.

www.turbo36.wordpress.com/improvements

I would use a chemical additive in an emergency where heavy bug is found as part of a cure clean up process, such as Fuel Set, but not IMHO necessary as a prevention where other means are used.
Click to expand...

Why wait for an emergency? The boat I referred to above is as I write fitting a polishing system to his Azimut-42. But the cost of installation and changing yet more filters and actually allowing the bug to proliferate, then removing it (hopefully), still does not make sense to me when it takes seconds to treat and prevent it in the first place. It's not that expensive.

I believe Medskipper had a serious contamination on his old boat that damaged his diesel pump unit which cost him a fortune by comparison to repair.

Mind you, if I had the navy and a full time crew on board I may think differently?

Fuel polishing is great, removing lots of other suspended contaminants but even if I had it I think I would still throw in some treatment.
 
fisherman said:
I suspect you won't see any post saying 'I use xxx and it's no good'.

I use Fuel Set and I have no problems, there is regularly sediment in the trap, clean every 200 hours or so, change filters also. 200 hours with my 135hp is a lot of fuel, it goes through several times before it's used. As I get through several thousand litres a year, and the tank is forty years old steel, I shan't complain.
Click to expand...

+1 for Fuel set.
 
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