Diesel Bug

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Patrick Woods

I seem to have picked up something called Diesel Bug in my fuel. Apparently it is some kind of algae... Has anyone come across this? If so, is there an additive I can use or do I need to empty and clean the system out? Thanks,
 
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M Kolbenschlag

Bugs

Check with your marina, there are various services that will come to your dock and clean your diesel without you having to pump the tank out. They recirculate it through pumps that get everything from water to algae. Then you should use an additive everytime you add diesel. I believe Bio-bor is one that is available world-wide. There are a number of others.
 
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gary jensen

Diesel bug

I understand that once you have the alge in the diesel tank that the additive will not help. Like the other post stated, it has to be purged and filtered out. I was wondering how you detected the alge? Does your engine run? Thanks Gary
 
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Mark Johnson

I use Biobor every time I fuel..

and have not had any problems in years (knock on wood). At the end of the season I use the "shock" dosage for storage over the winter.
 
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Ernie April

Avoidance of algae is easy...Curing may not be

Algae does not live in the fuel. It lives in water in the fuel tank and feeds on the fuel at the fuel-water interface. The prevention is to keep the fuel tank free of water - especially during the lay-up season when the tank breaths with changes in temperature. The "inhaled" humidity condenses on the cold top and sides of the tank and drips to the bottom. Storing the boat with a topped off fuel tank is the usual answer to algae prevention. The problem with algae is that once you head out into a boistrous sea, the water below the fuel line intake containing the algae gets mixed up with the fuel. The water would eventually stop the engine, but the algae glogs the filters first. Even with a bad case, the fuel is fine. Remember, the fuel floats on top of any water. After letting the boat sit calmly at dock, get rid of most of the problem by syphoning or pumping out the water below the fuel - using the access hatch and a length of copper tubing just longer than the tank is deep.Slowly sweep the bottom of the tank without stirring things up. When the fuel runs clear into the jerry jug, you've got out most of the algae. Hopefully, there won't be more than a gallon or two of contaminated fuel to get rid of. Follow up with biocide treatment and a drying agent. Then get a bunch of fuel filters change your primary fuel filter frequently until it is clear of gunk. Remember, the fuel filter will usually look fine until the tank gets agitated, then it will start picking the stuff up and even clog with the now-dead algae. Once you've got it clean, keep it dry... Good luck-- Ernie April (WindCatcher, C-42)
 
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