On Lanier Lake burning up diesel fuel is tough if your a sailboat. I must have used 3 gallons in the last six months. That brings up the issue of purchasing a small 2-3 gallon plastic or metal portable tank that I can use to occasionally fill up at a local gasoline retail service station and transport to the boat. Simple enough. Never having purchased diesel at an automotive retail service station do I have to add anything to the fuel? I will assume that any diesel good enough for automobile/tractor use is good enough for a marine engine. I noticed that at our one marina here that sells diesel has a premixed concoction that looks slightly pink and I believe they called it "off-road mix". I would hate to loose out on any secret sauce they add to their storage tanks without adding to my tank. Any suggestions? Regards Bob Catalina 30 (Universal M-18)
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Diff is Taxes
The difference is the taxes that have been paid. Gas station fuel is a different color because they have paid road taxes. They dye it so the goverment can check to see if someone is cheating. Thats the difference.
The difference is the taxes that have been paid. Gas station fuel is a different color because they have paid road taxes. They dye it so the goverment can check to see if someone is cheating. Thats the difference.
I could be totally wrong
but aren't the taxes different between road fuels and off-road fuels? I know that is the case in Alberta Canada for farm vehicles. On-road vehicles registered as farm vehicles get to buy "purple gas" which does not have as much tax on it. Same went for diesel. There may be some differences between diesel sold @ the fuel dock and that sold at the Amoco station but I have no idea if it makes a difference. It does bring up an interesting question... Do diesel cars have the same filter clogging, there's water in my fuel, help I have a tank full of micro critters that are clogging my fuel filter issues as boaters do? If not maybe there is technology there that is worth looking at...
but aren't the taxes different between road fuels and off-road fuels? I know that is the case in Alberta Canada for farm vehicles. On-road vehicles registered as farm vehicles get to buy "purple gas" which does not have as much tax on it. Same went for diesel. There may be some differences between diesel sold @ the fuel dock and that sold at the Amoco station but I have no idea if it makes a difference. It does bring up an interesting question... Do diesel cars have the same filter clogging, there's water in my fuel, help I have a tank full of micro critters that are clogging my fuel filter issues as boaters do? If not maybe there is technology there that is worth looking at...
Phil's right
The only difference is taxes and color. I don't use much disel either, so I always buy at a local gas station on the theory that they have better turnover and fresher fuel. As to diesel cars, they do/don't have the same problem. Many do have a Racor filter to keep out the water and the bugs. They also use the fuel quickly enough to minimize the problem. Do you fill your car's gas tank once every six months?
The only difference is taxes and color. I don't use much disel either, so I always buy at a local gas station on the theory that they have better turnover and fresher fuel. As to diesel cars, they do/don't have the same problem. Many do have a Racor filter to keep out the water and the bugs. They also use the fuel quickly enough to minimize the problem. Do you fill your car's gas tank once every six months?
Dryers and Water
D Car and trucks typically go thur fuel at a high enough rate that growth isn't normaly a problem. Trucks also typically have dryers to deal with the water that gets into the fuel typically via condensation on the inside of not full fuel tanks. KEEP YOUR TANK FULL WHEN ITS COOL. Also truck tanks circulate the fuel, warming and drying it. While its OK to use road fuel in a boat, don't get caught using boat fuel in a car of truck. Again, the goverment wants its tax collection. Other than dyes the fuel is the same.
D Car and trucks typically go thur fuel at a high enough rate that growth isn't normaly a problem. Trucks also typically have dryers to deal with the water that gets into the fuel typically via condensation on the inside of not full fuel tanks. KEEP YOUR TANK FULL WHEN ITS COOL. Also truck tanks circulate the fuel, warming and drying it. While its OK to use road fuel in a boat, don't get caught using boat fuel in a car of truck. Again, the goverment wants its tax collection. Other than dyes the fuel is the same.
Oddly enough where I live...
The fully taxed road diesel from the Gas station is cheaper than the red dyed marine diesel (from the marina) that supposedly doesn't have any taxes built into the price. I guess the gas dock owner charges his OWN taxes ;.) The road diesel seems to be much fresher too so I usually use it unless I have to fill the whole tank.
The fully taxed road diesel from the Gas station is cheaper than the red dyed marine diesel (from the marina) that supposedly doesn't have any taxes built into the price. I guess the gas dock owner charges his OWN taxes ;.) The road diesel seems to be much fresher too so I usually use it unless I have to fill the whole tank.
Interesting
Well, you answered my question about using good ole gas station diesel, but I still have to wonder what those marina guys are doing in regards to additives to make that concoction they are selling. Bulk treatment for sure. I do add critter smashers, water sobers and have a racor separator as well so I am protecting my engine and stabilizing my fuel. I probably can add a few drops or so to that carry on tank before dumping it into the boat tank. I agree 100% on keeping the tank full to keep the condensation down to a minimum. Back to pigments and road taxes........... Thanks Bob
Well, you answered my question about using good ole gas station diesel, but I still have to wonder what those marina guys are doing in regards to additives to make that concoction they are selling. Bulk treatment for sure. I do add critter smashers, water sobers and have a racor separator as well so I am protecting my engine and stabilizing my fuel. I probably can add a few drops or so to that carry on tank before dumping it into the boat tank. I agree 100% on keeping the tank full to keep the condensation down to a minimum. Back to pigments and road taxes........... Thanks Bob
Diesel
It turns out that diesel fuel at marinas near me on the Chesapeake sell diesel for about .60/gal less than the auto/truck stations. Yet I buy it at the auto/truck stations because it's easier to fill up a jerry jug and tennis shoe it to my boat. I've also noticed that the auto/truck diesel has a bit higher cetane rating (145) vs the 140 or so being sold at the marinas. Perhaps that's the reason for the price differential? Finally, I do add a bit of Pri-D and a biocide to the jerry jug before filling.
It turns out that diesel fuel at marinas near me on the Chesapeake sell diesel for about .60/gal less than the auto/truck stations. Yet I buy it at the auto/truck stations because it's easier to fill up a jerry jug and tennis shoe it to my boat. I've also noticed that the auto/truck diesel has a bit higher cetane rating (145) vs the 140 or so being sold at the marinas. Perhaps that's the reason for the price differential? Finally, I do add a bit of Pri-D and a biocide to the jerry jug before filling.
Gas station beware
I bought a gallon of diesel at a Texaco station and it had stuff floating in it. Bought some this past weekend and it was very clean it was an Exxon station. I was using a West Marine filter and caught nothing. So far the fuel that I have purchased at marinas has been good. But all future fuel will go through the west marine filter before going into my tank. It's supposed to catch free water and dirt. Unfortunately if the station adds emusifiers the water can get through the filter. Emulsified water probably kills the cetane number. If you are using little fuel it's dumb to keep the tank full. Especially if it is a 30 gallon tank and you are using 5 gallons a year. 6 year old diesel can't be good. You can't get much water out of the air!!! Especially if the boat is in the water. We should all get a little 5 gallon tank and use it most of the time and leave the big tank empty!!!! I hate the fact that most tanks seem to have a flat bottom. They should all have a sump to catch water with a separate drain spigot. I haven't had my tank above 1/2 full in almost two years. No water in my fuel. I do add some biocide from time to time. Tom
I bought a gallon of diesel at a Texaco station and it had stuff floating in it. Bought some this past weekend and it was very clean it was an Exxon station. I was using a West Marine filter and caught nothing. So far the fuel that I have purchased at marinas has been good. But all future fuel will go through the west marine filter before going into my tank. It's supposed to catch free water and dirt. Unfortunately if the station adds emusifiers the water can get through the filter. Emulsified water probably kills the cetane number. If you are using little fuel it's dumb to keep the tank full. Especially if it is a 30 gallon tank and you are using 5 gallons a year. 6 year old diesel can't be good. You can't get much water out of the air!!! Especially if the boat is in the water. We should all get a little 5 gallon tank and use it most of the time and leave the big tank empty!!!! I hate the fact that most tanks seem to have a flat bottom. They should all have a sump to catch water with a separate drain spigot. I haven't had my tank above 1/2 full in almost two years. No water in my fuel. I do add some biocide from time to time. Tom
Station Diesel Just Fine
Bob, At Kemah/Clear Lake off Galveston Bay, we now have a monopoly when it comes to convenient refueling. On a weekend it getting fuel is a time consuming proposition. For the last year or so, I have been filling a jerry can at a local high volume station and filling at dock side using a strainer/filler. Then add a few ounces of biocide. Seems to work for me. I normally keep the tank about 2/3 full. Jon
Bob, At Kemah/Clear Lake off Galveston Bay, we now have a monopoly when it comes to convenient refueling. On a weekend it getting fuel is a time consuming proposition. For the last year or so, I have been filling a jerry can at a local high volume station and filling at dock side using a strainer/filler. Then add a few ounces of biocide. Seems to work for me. I normally keep the tank about 2/3 full. Jon
Why bother with a station?
Your amount of fuel is so miniscule, that you might as well buy it at the marina. That way you won't have to worry about which additives are missing. It's not gonna break you.
Your amount of fuel is so miniscule, that you might as well buy it at the marina. That way you won't have to worry about which additives are missing. It's not gonna break you.
Diesel
I buy my diesel at a truck stop, dump some biocide in it and I'm good to go. Don't like to use the marina's diesel...they sell lots of gas, but very little diesel...no telling how old it is.
I buy my diesel at a truck stop, dump some biocide in it and I'm good to go. Don't like to use the marina's diesel...they sell lots of gas, but very little diesel...no telling how old it is.
Paul, Its not the price, Its the Inconvenience!
Paul, Sorry if I wasn't clear. Price is not the issue. There is only one place to buy fuel in the Clear Lake marina area. About 3,500 slips along the channel to Galveston Bay. Fuel dock space is limited and the power boats are lined up . You will often have to wait 45 minutes on a sunny weekend day. I'd rather be sailing. Jon
Paul, Sorry if I wasn't clear. Price is not the issue. There is only one place to buy fuel in the Clear Lake marina area. About 3,500 slips along the channel to Galveston Bay. Fuel dock space is limited and the power boats are lined up . You will often have to wait 45 minutes on a sunny weekend day. I'd rather be sailing. Jon
Auto / Truck fuel normally good
Hi Bob, To answer your question, if you are adding stabilizer(since the fuel may sit a few months) and the fuel meets the requirements stated in your engine handbook you are ok. The big no-no besides water in the tank is adding to much biocide. Add only what the manufacture tells you to on the side of the bottle. Change your fuel / air /oil filters regularly and change the oil once a year and you will have many years of fun! Dave
Hi Bob, To answer your question, if you are adding stabilizer(since the fuel may sit a few months) and the fuel meets the requirements stated in your engine handbook you are ok. The big no-no besides water in the tank is adding to much biocide. Add only what the manufacture tells you to on the side of the bottle. Change your fuel / air /oil filters regularly and change the oil once a year and you will have many years of fun! Dave
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