Kingfisher of Enniskillen
New Member
Opinions vary on this question.....
Assume a 500 liter capacity diesel tank currently half full.
Assume a 500 liter capacity diesel tank currently half full.
Winter fuel tank strategy
- Thread starter Kingfisher of Enniskillen
- Start date
Tranona
Well-Known Member
No reason to do anything other than make sure the filler is is tight.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Have done all of the above and many different levels in between, don't sweat about it. Only issue I've ever had was as Tranona said when a filler wasn't tight!
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, Kingfisher clearly didnt like my reply to TigerLilly's post on exactly this subject yesterday, hence raising this survey a few hours later
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
It always used to be diesel leave full, petrol leave empty because it went off.
Now Fame diesels are just as likely to go off or develop bug quicker because of the bio element, its almost impossible to stop some condensation so probably don't worry too much about the level and add some sort of fuel set/marine-16 type additive to minimize the bug growth and disperse the water.
Now Fame diesels are just as likely to go off or develop bug quicker because of the bio element, its almost impossible to stop some condensation so probably don't worry too much about the level and add some sort of fuel set/marine-16 type additive to minimize the bug growth and disperse the water.
Momac
Well-Known Member
The big change in the fuel was when Ultra Low Sulphur became a requirement which around 2006 with biofuel starting to be added in around the same time and generally the biofuel content becoming mandatory around 2010.
It was alleged that red diesel for boats would be without biofuel (FAME free) but I am not convinced such fuel was ever generally available to the leisure boat market.
Biofuel can degrade so best not to have too much of it in storage in case it does go off.
So if we take 2010 as the point where biofuel content became normal then we are only 15 years in.
It normally takes the marine industry a good 20 years to acknowledge any changes.
I expect some of the boats moored near me still have high sulphur fuel in them .
I think having half a tank over winter is not a bad plan. Then you can use that for the first trips of the new season and wait as long as possible to add new fuel so you get freshly delivered fuel and not the stuff that the marina has kept in its tanks for 6 months.
Overall it's a game of chance and really there is no guaranteed right way or wrong way.
It was alleged that red diesel for boats would be without biofuel (FAME free) but I am not convinced such fuel was ever generally available to the leisure boat market.
Biofuel can degrade so best not to have too much of it in storage in case it does go off.
So if we take 2010 as the point where biofuel content became normal then we are only 15 years in.
It normally takes the marine industry a good 20 years to acknowledge any changes.
I expect some of the boats moored near me still have high sulphur fuel in them .
I think having half a tank over winter is not a bad plan. Then you can use that for the first trips of the new season and wait as long as possible to add new fuel so you get freshly delivered fuel and not the stuff that the marina has kept in its tanks for 6 months.
Overall it's a game of chance and really there is no guaranteed right way or wrong way.
Kingfisher of Enniskillen
New Member
Dear dunedin,Oh dear, Kingfisher clearly didnt like my reply to TigerLilly's post on exactly this subject yesterday, hence raising this survey a few hours later
Absolutely not. I actually agree with you, and voted for the 2nd option myself. However, the topic from Tiger Lilly did prompt my survey poll. I know it is a topic with mixed opinions so thought it would be interesting to have some data on the subject, contributed to by our forum member.
Kingfisher
oldgit
Well-Known Member
In 45 summers of boating with both petrol and deisel MoBos have left tank(s) full and virtually empty and every stage inbetween without any noticable effects and certainly none which led to any engine failure.
The only considerations, is fuel likel;y to go up or down, funds available at the time.
The only considerations, is fuel likel;y to go up or down, funds available at the time.
Plum
Well-Known Member
That is also my experience in 45 years of boats with diesel engines. Makes no difference how full or empty or half full or what material the tank is made from.
Kingfisher of Enniskillen
New Member
I thought I should summarize the results of this poll, as I believe if you don't vote, you don't see the result.
30% Fill to the brim.
70% Leave half full so you can buy fresh fuel in the spring.
I for one, changed my strategy only a couple of years ago. I used to fill to the brim to reduce condensation, but now, due to the the Biofuel content which itself attracts moisture, I leave part full with a view to purchasing fresh fuel next year (which hopefully is not too old either!)
Times change!
Andrew
30% Fill to the brim.
70% Leave half full so you can buy fresh fuel in the spring.
I for one, changed my strategy only a couple of years ago. I used to fill to the brim to reduce condensation, but now, due to the the Biofuel content which itself attracts moisture, I leave part full with a view to purchasing fresh fuel next year (which hopefully is not too old either!)
Times change!
Andrew