Diesel fuel stabilization/treatment

[Bob4203]

I know, their must be a zillion articles on diesel fuel stabilzation/treatment, etc., but I thought I would ask some fellow 30-owners about the subject.

I have the Universal two-cylinder M-16. I sail in Lake Lanier, Ga year round, which means I do not need to winterize or store the boat over the winter. My boat is a 1988 Mark II and the engine has a whooping 500 hours on it. That means I might use a tank of fuel over the course of a year or longer! So, the fuel might sit for weeks or months at a time.

The big question is what to use for stabilization/treatment? I was at my local West Marine the other day and no less than ten products were on the shelf of which all had to do with "ethanol" treatment. I thought diesel does not contain ethanol, or at least for now or here in Georgia! What good is ethanol treatment on a diesel powered engine?

I add a biocide everytime I add a gallon, but for bio-treatment. Is there some magic juice on the market that will keep my diesel fresh and stabile with my current low engine use and long storage time?

Thanks
Bob

 

[Randy6414]

There is a huge variety of diesel stabilizers and treatments available, as you know. For the past several years I have been using Startron in my Universal M-18, and I have been very happy with the results.

Prior to switching to Startron, I used to use three different products over the course of the year: Red Line Diesel Fuel Catalyst for injector cleaning (on occasion), BioBor for bacteria/algae (with each fill up), and a diesel stabilizer prior to layup in the fall. This routing served me fine when I was running the boat quite a bit (50-75 hours per year.)

When the kids came along my usage dropped to about 25 hours per year, and I became concerned about adding too much stuff to the tank, while only burning less than half a tank full of fuel per season.

A local marine store owner, whose opinion I trusted, told me about Startron. I began using it as my sole fuel treatment in both my boat, and my diesel truck (Detroit 6-71). Both get about 25 hours a year of usage, and both sit for long times between uses. I've not had any fuel trouble in either of them since beginning use of Startron. They both start easily, idle smoothly, have good power with less smoke than before, and there is no water, bacteria, or algae in the tanks (I know because I have drained both for inspection purposes.) It's been almost 5 years, and I am pleased.

Some will swear it's snake oil. In fact there are some that frown upon any additives at all. But I believe Startron is doing the job it's supposed to do, and I am happy with the performance of both diesel engines.

Randy

 

[Bob4203]

Thanks Randy.
Very useful information and I will pick this stuff up. Where did you buy Startron? Auto or Marine supply store? I do not recall seeing the stuff at West Marine.

I know there is a lot of stuff on the market. I drive an old 1973 Porsche 911 and I use Marvel Mystery Oil, SeaFoam and Chevron Techron alll the time to name a few, but when talking marine diesels with limited use, its a bit different for me. I for one do not drain my tank.

Appreciate the feedback

Bob

 

[Randy6414]

I've purchased Startron at West Marine, as well as at auto part/supply stores. It's not cheap, but it goes a long way.

Randy

 

[Stephen K]

Bob, make sure you get the Startron for diesel.....I have looked for this in the past at our local West Marine stores and they only had the Startron for gasoline....be careful.