What is the general trend on using fuel additatives for reducing problems with water and bacteria/fungus in diesel fuel tanks.
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Jim McCue
just 2x per year.
I use it 2x a year. In the beginning of the season and in the Fall a few weeks before I close down the system for the winter. . I also put some tape over the side breather vent over the winter to reduce the amount of moisture that may circulate. So far so good. What does anybody else think of this approach. J. McCue s/v "Safeharbor"
I use it 2x a year. In the beginning of the season and in the Fall a few weeks before I close down the system for the winter. . I also put some tape over the side breather vent over the winter to reduce the amount of moisture that may circulate. So far so good. What does anybody else think of this approach. J. McCue s/v "Safeharbor"
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Dakota Jim Russell
As I add Fuel
Appreciate that I only burn about 15 gallons a year, while sailing every weekend: However each time I add fuel, I will probably add additive. Reasoning is that I'm not turning over my fuel often enough and that I am at higher risk than someone who burns a tank a week. Also I top my fuel tank off in the winter and ofcourse add some then. Jim
Appreciate that I only burn about 15 gallons a year, while sailing every weekend: However each time I add fuel, I will probably add additive. Reasoning is that I'm not turning over my fuel often enough and that I am at higher risk than someone who burns a tank a week. Also I top my fuel tank off in the winter and ofcourse add some then. Jim
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Stephen Ostrander
muggy Texas
Down there in that hot, humid Texas climate I would think that an additative would be a good idea. Up here in the Great Lakes the season is short and the temps are not as hot and humid so we don't have as much of a problem with algae, but any time you have water in your fuel tank you have the potential for algae. If you could eliminate the water, you eliminate the algae, but that's practically impossible in a marine environment.
Down there in that hot, humid Texas climate I would think that an additative would be a good idea. Up here in the Great Lakes the season is short and the temps are not as hot and humid so we don't have as much of a problem with algae, but any time you have water in your fuel tank you have the potential for algae. If you could eliminate the water, you eliminate the algae, but that's practically impossible in a marine environment.
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Paul Akers
Every time...
...I fuel up, I add biocide (algae inhibitor) in the recommended proportions. The added amount is so small 1-2 oz, that I put it in BEFORE the fuel gets pumped in. This ensures that it gets mixed thoroughly. I can usually estimate how much fuel I will need based upon the hours motored since the last fill (.5 gal/hr).
...I fuel up, I add biocide (algae inhibitor) in the recommended proportions. The added amount is so small 1-2 oz, that I put it in BEFORE the fuel gets pumped in. This ensures that it gets mixed thoroughly. I can usually estimate how much fuel I will need based upon the hours motored since the last fill (.5 gal/hr).
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Mark Johnson
I use Biobor...
everytime I put fuel in the boat. I shock it the first fill of the season then use the maintenance dosage for the remainder of the season. It's cheap insurance to prevent any algea growth during the season. Mark Johnson
everytime I put fuel in the boat. I shock it the first fill of the season then use the maintenance dosage for the remainder of the season. It's cheap insurance to prevent any algea growth during the season. Mark Johnson
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Steve W
pump out a few gallons off the bottom of the tank
and reduce the risk of contaminated fuel even more. I remove the sending unit plate from the top of the tank and use a small hand pump with 18" of straight tubing to remove a couple of gallons of diesel off the bottom of the tank about 3 times a year. Takes about 15 minutes and in our warm Florida climate, I think it is cheap insurance to prevent clogging up filters or worse. Good luck.
and reduce the risk of contaminated fuel even more. I remove the sending unit plate from the top of the tank and use a small hand pump with 18" of straight tubing to remove a couple of gallons of diesel off the bottom of the tank about 3 times a year. Takes about 15 minutes and in our warm Florida climate, I think it is cheap insurance to prevent clogging up filters or worse. Good luck.
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Eric
Catch 22 too
Eric: I think that we hope that the fueling station cycles their tanks often enough to prevent growth in the tanks. They should also be pre-filtering the fuel too. As one of the previous posts mentioned, always use biocide.
Eric: I think that we hope that the fueling station cycles their tanks often enough to prevent growth in the tanks. They should also be pre-filtering the fuel too. As one of the previous posts mentioned, always use biocide.
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Robert Gillan
Condesation!
You cannot PREVENT condensation in a fuel tank or container. Every bush pilot will tell you tales of pumping water contaminated fuel from SEALED 45 gal drums(55 gal for you in the USA). And certainly taping off the vent on your boat's tank won't prevent it. You deal with it by frequent draining of the primary fule filter or water stripper if you have one. Adding methytl hydrate to diesel to absorb water is a matter for a future discussion. Pros and cons there.
You cannot PREVENT condensation in a fuel tank or container. Every bush pilot will tell you tales of pumping water contaminated fuel from SEALED 45 gal drums(55 gal for you in the USA). And certainly taping off the vent on your boat's tank won't prevent it. You deal with it by frequent draining of the primary fule filter or water stripper if you have one. Adding methytl hydrate to diesel to absorb water is a matter for a future discussion. Pros and cons there.
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Gary
Problems
Not sure if it really pertains to such small engines or is a big deal with the low hours. BUT, in larger diesels any additive that stabilizes the fuel may also be equal to running #1 as opposed to a #2 which is less stable. The lighter fuel is hard on your injectors. Any diesel jocky care to add his 2 cents?
Not sure if it really pertains to such small engines or is a big deal with the low hours. BUT, in larger diesels any additive that stabilizes the fuel may also be equal to running #1 as opposed to a #2 which is less stable. The lighter fuel is hard on your injectors. Any diesel jocky care to add his 2 cents?
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