Diesel Gas Longevity

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AlanAnt

AlanAnt

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Sep 7, 2004
23
Hunter 33 Marina Del Rey, CA
I've had my 2004 Hunter 33 for a year and haven't had to fill up the gas tank. Being a sailboat, I only use the enging maybe for 30 minutes each outing. On it's initial fill-up I put in the additive to minimize growth in the tank. How long can I keep the same fuel in the tank with out worry? Considering I am worried. *o
 
J

JC on Bainbridge

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Jul 17, 2005
586
Hunter 37.5 Bainbridge Island - West of Seattle
Keep the tank topped off

You don't have to worry too much about it. I usually tank up once or twice a year, with some years not needing fuel at all. However: It will take quite awhile for diesel to die, as long as you add something in there to keep away the growth, like Biobore. The main thing you will have to watch out for is water. If your fuel tank is partially full, then the tank will collect condensation which in turn becomes water. Water will impact your engine, and water will also encourage growth in the tank. So it is a good idea to always keep the tank filled to the top, and add more Biobore whenever you tank up.
 
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Big Windy

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Jun 2, 2004
1,077
Several Catalinas C25/C320 USA
Sta-Bil

Don't forget Sta-Bil. The stuff you put in will retard growth of the crud in your tank but will not prolong the life of the fuel. You can get Sta-Bil in the Walmart auto section. I use it in my boat, mower, chain saw, weed eater, etc...good stuff.
 
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Bill O'Donovan

You mean diesel

Not gas. I have a contract on an 04 Hunter 33, and there's a lot of back-and-forth about them overheating above 2800. Someone on one of these threads discovered a kink in a hose that may have been the culprit. Hope yours is running cool.
 
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PY charlie

Long time diesel

I visit a powerboat site a lot and a fella bought a diesel boat that had been moored in the water for 10 years out in I beleive Santa Barbara Calif:. He started it up for sea trials, boat ran but not very fast and pulled to starboard. When he had the boat hauled the growth was un-real. He said there was 13 ft long grass and the boat was only 23 ft. After clean up and a fresh coat of bottom paint the boat now goes fishing with just deisel added and spare filters. Speed doubled and it steers straight.
 
J

JC on Bainbridge

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Jul 17, 2005
586
Hunter 37.5 Bainbridge Island - West of Seattle
That's some salad bar

There are some boats up here that has been in the water, at the same spot for years. They are liveaboards and using it like real cheap apartment. I can’t imagine what their salad bar looks like.
 
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larry w

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Jun 16, 2005
476
- - long beach, CA
long live your diesel

Alan; One of the best things you can do for your diesel engine is to use it and make it work when you do. Everytime you go out, motor for a bit and when it reaches operating temp., put the hammer down on it for ten minutes. Idleness and light or no-load running kills more engines than working them. People who run their engines at a fast idle at the dock for ten minutes a month are not doing the engine any favors.
 
AlanAnt

AlanAnt

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Sep 7, 2004
23
Hunter 33 Marina Del Rey, CA
Diesel Fuel and Idleing

Larry, I am guilty of occasionally running my engine for 25 minutes at dock on months I do not go out. I start on low for 10 minutes then run between 2600 - 3200 for another 10 minutes, then back down for the last 5 minutes. Soooo.... basically I'm just wasting fuel and not helping my engine ? Let the worrying begin. *butt
 
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