Which diesel fuel biocide?

[DAKA]

I get what you mean about the bottom of the tank though, in that if the fuel pick up isn't to the bottom, the bug can thrive there and isn't "sucked in" to the fuel system to be broken down by the Purafiner...Cheers, got a mental image now!

Now you have me thinking about it it gets even worse..........

IF any bugs get purafine as many as 80% will not be burned but sent back into the tank alive by the fuel return pipe

Better to leave them whole so the pre filter grabs them, thats what it is there for after all.

 

[Bilgediver]

So, I had the same fuel in half-empty tanks for 14 months, with no filters cleaning whatsoever.

Under ideal conditions and in water free conditions this would often be the case. However you are also possibly in a less humid area than here which helps. Unfortunately the problems are being compounded now by recent EU legislation where more and more bio fuel is being introduced into fuels Ths bio component doesnt appear to be so stable as diesel so there are emerging problems as it is introduced. Googling the commercial world will show how this is effecting the big boys too. No wonder we can t find Soltron in every corner shop. They seem to be selling it by the gallon to shipping companies.

Matters could be improved if only the boat builders would include tank drains during building so that water can be drained from the tanks. Ubfortunately they do not in may cases and so a quick dash from The Solent to Jersey in a frisky sea can ensure the tank contents are well shaken and stirred so mixing the water with the fuel and providing a wonderful incubation environment for the bugs.

If all you do is quitel potter around calmer waters and drain the water from the tank regularly then you control the problem and may never see the evidence in the filters. moreover the more full the tanks then the less sloshing around and agitating of a water fuel mixture. The ideal conditions for the bugs are nearly empty tanks and bad weather passages which multiplies the water fuel interfaces.

Maybe if more boaters demanded water drains, especially on the big Mobos then life might be easier. They can always be capped valves to reduce the risk from inadvertent opening .

If you already have severe contamination of the dark stringy type then don t expect a few drops of Soltron to whisk it away. This is a case of clean out the rubbish and then a knock out dose followed by regular dosing. Most vendors suggest at least three times the regular dose for the Knock out dose.

It is important to reduce the chance of debris getting into the fuel system as
it can be highly acidic to the point it etches the polished surface of injection
components causing failure or excessive spill leakage. Fuel polishing equipment
should be an important consideration for anyone storing a 1000 litres or more.

The situation can only get worse and infact there are also concerns regarding how the fuel may become so unstable as to be beyond use if stored for several months due to degradation of the bio component!!!

Watch this develope!!!!!!

 

[Bandit]

Fishy Inverness

Biocide does kill diesel bugs, they are then picked up by the filter and removed with a filter change.

If you have serious contamination a blockage to fuel pickups can occur. If you have serious contamination see a specialist.

Dieselbugs or their excreta produce acids etc that attack steel and aluminium tanks, fuel lines and your fuel injection pumps.

Use a biocide.

Good housekeeping, drain tank sumps of water and crud, check and change filters if necessary, drain water filters etc.

I do not want water, acids and diesel bug crud anywhere near my fuel pumps it is seriously expensive.

 

[Jack Haines]

Test in MBY

Hello all,

In the next (April) issue of MBY we are doing a test of 12 diesel bug busting products which includes preventative treatments and biocides.

It will hit the shelves on the first Thursday of March.

Cheers,

Jack

 

[nigelmercier]

Or you can avoid the Biocide/Chemical route altogether with a Purafiner system:
http://www.purafiner.com/

Yeah! Magnets on boats, the perfect combination.

 

[DavidJ]

Mike
Not a bad time to change to another brand. I've used Soltron for 8 years and noticed last year that one of my filters was a bit gungy at the bottom. I think an immunity can build up.
I changed to the Starbright product which was available locally (in Spain) and had good reports.

 

[StewartC]

Hello all,

In the next (April) issue of MBY we are doing a test of 12 diesel bug busting products which includes preventative treatments and biocides.

It will hit the shelves on the first Thursday of March.

Cheers,

Jack

Clicl for the feature Jack mentioned.

 

[nigelmercier]

Clicl for the feature Jack mentioned.

Is this identical to the feature on Diesel Bug Treatments in PBO May 2011?