engne additives

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Jun 25, 2004
36
- - vermont
I have igm yanmar on a hunter 27 1982. Ipurchased boat this yearand i don't know what if additivies have been added to fuel. Can you addsd to much octine booster & alge eliminater?
 
Jul 12, 2004
285
Catalina 320 chestertown
Star Tron

Was just written up by BOAT US for September 2004. Looks great. Supposed to be available where boat products are sold. - Increases fuel economy by 15% - Cleans injectors, removes carbon build-up - Kills "diesel algae" microbial spores - Gets rid of water - Stabilizes Fuel Chemistry - a product for gas or diesel - reduces engine emissions Nothing about increased octane. But I'm going to switch. There are other products available West Marine and auto stores. Good luck Paul
 
S

Steve D

Yanmar recommends NOTHING.

Gary: Yanmar recommends that you add nothing at all. I would not add any thing until you have used most of the existing fuel. Most everyone recommends that you do not add TOO much biocide. We have never used anything (except biocide) in our 2GM20F in the 16 years since it was new.
 
Feb 6, 2004
83
CAL 25 Salem OH
Octane

Be careful what you add. Octane is a gasoline term, Diesel is rated by cetane. I agree with Steve D, too much biocide can be as bad, if not worse, than un-treated fuel. I also recomend using up the existing fuel and treating the fresh fuel you add later. Bryon
 
Jul 12, 2004
285
Catalina 320 chestertown
Cetane

is correct and that is what I should have said. According to the article by Boat US, this is not a biocide and goes on to say that yes, biocides can cause problems by killing the browth, resulting biomass settles to the tank bottom where it decays forming organic acids. "The acids then deteriorate the fuel and cause corrosions of the tank walls, injectors and fuel delivery system. Biocides can be harmful to all those who handle them or come in contact with treated fuel plus, they can cause environmental damage if spilled. STARTRON USES ITS NONTOXIC ENZYME TECHNOLOGY TO BREAKDOWN MICROBIAL GROWTH into sub-micron size particles. These microscopic particles are then either safely burned away or filtered out." "Startron is the world's first fuel treatment to be based on naturally occurring enzymes." I'm not selling the product, just sounded like a great new technology that may have just come on the market and I found it today. It may be worth checking out. Paul
 
Jun 5, 2004
242
None None Greater Cincinnati
biocide and dirty fuel

As mentioned don't add too much. Good rule of thumb is to only add biocide when you add new fuel. Since this boat has been in the yard, it might be worth your while to get the tank cleanned. There should be a service in your area. Ask around, people will know who is good. A good service should also tell you the quality of the fuel. Diesel doesn't last forever.
 

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
Use cetane booster and biocide

My experience has been that yanmar diesel engines run better with both a cetane booster and a biocide. Living in Vermont, alge may not be the problem it is here in Florida, ask other area boaters what they use. Equally important is using the best fuel you can. Marine fuel can be low grade and not as good as hiway fuel. I buy from the most active diesel station possible and use a filter funnel to make sure the fuel is clean and water free. These filters can be puchased at marine stores. As far as a cetane booster is concerned add an amount in the recommended ratio to the amount of new diesel fuel you are adding. This will give you favorable results without over loading the additive.
 
Jun 5, 2004
242
None None Greater Cincinnati
other things to check on your Yanmar

My 1979 yanmar had original hoses when I bought it in 2000. I guess this speaks to the quality of the hoses, but they were beyond shot. Get a couple replacement belts too. The heat exchanger (after market on mine) needed to be boiled out at the local radiator shop. And I replaced the thermostat too (overheating problems fixed!) Might as well replace the impeller in the pump(s) since then you will know when they were new. Friends tell me to replace these on a regular schedule, and I have some in my spares kit. If you do the pumps or hoses, replace the coolant with coolant mixed properly. This helps libricate the pumps. Fuel filters - replace both primary and on-engine and if you don't have a Racor or similar water sep/fuel filter, you need to install 1. I replaced the fuel lines as well. Check the alarm system (temp, oil, etc.) as per the engine manual. Oil light should go on when you turn the key, and off when the engine starts. Ground the temp sensor wire and turn the key - the alarm should sound/light go on. Mine did not work, and overheating shut the engine down, at a bad time. (No serious damage!) But it is better to know the alarms work. Check the mixing elbow - this is a prime cause of problems, but if blocked can be replaced for 100 bucks or so (maybe 150). Double check the engine manual versus your engine and transmission combination. The 2QM20 I have was shipped with 2 very different transmissions: the Hurth, and the Yanmar. The Hurth takes automatic transmission fluid, the Yamar uses engine oil. Whichever you have, it probably needs to be replaced. Keep a log of everything by engine hours, so you know what needs doing (oil changes, tran fluid changes, belts, impellers, etc.) Run the engine regularly and when you run it let reach operating temp. (I run mine for 30 or 45 minutes in gear at the dock when not going out regularly - like durring hurricane season) My 79 Yanmar runs great - with a little TLC I hope to keep it running great.
 
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