I'm a bit mixed on additives. I've tried numerous times to get a straight and scientific answer but to no avail. Some things that are prominent in my memory are as follows.
Most diesel already has an additive package to prevent bio growth the question is, "How long does it last?" The bio-bore bottle states that each tank should be retreated every 6 months for "maximum protection". IMO if you are turning over the tank (completely using and then filling) once or twice a year then you should be ok. The growth occurs because of water in the tank and emulsified in the fuel. Often times people will site a water/fuel interface layer in the tank similar to when the Italian dressing has say for a while. The theory goes that the algae live in the water and eat the fuel. This can cause the black goo or a harder particulate to form and hopefully get caught in the fuel filters. Additionally, the water is more dense and as such the only means for effectively removing the water is the use of a low point drain on the tank. If enough water accumulates (1/4 to 1/2 inch) then you are near the point where the pickup tube can suck up the water/fuel mix where the algae have been busy making goo. Long durations of stagnant fuel facilitate the depletion of the biocide package which came with the fuel. These long durations may be followed by significant agitation which breaks up the goo layer combined with the pitch and heel of the boat again facilitate the goo being sucked up by the pickup tube. Poorly placed tank vents. Poorly installed tank vents. Degraded tank vents and hose. Knock downs. All can allow water into the tank. The filter funnel marketing and demonstrations are quite convincing as to how much water can be emulsified IN the fuel directly from the fuel station. The demonstrations are also powerful is proving how well they remove the water. There are differing opinions as to whether or not a full tank causes or prevents condensation from forming in the tank. Maine Sailor did a pretty good write up but read the comments too. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/fuel_tankt_condensation IMO it is better to eliminate/remove/prevent the water than to try to control growth with an additive. I'm always hesitant to use additives of any type since it is no guarantee of improvement and may in some cases actually be worse. Lower cetane and lubricity are 2 possible outcomes Modern diesel is low sulfur. The sulfur is what was used to increase the lubricity which is critical to reducing wear on the fuel injectors and HP pump. IMO this is a bigger hazard to operation of the engine than bio growth. I use an additive from Opti-Lube called XPD. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-speciality-forums/64-maintenance-fluids/177728-lubricity-additive-study-results.html#/forumsite/20625/topics/177728 It does seem that there is a certain amount of mysticism with all of this. Some people report no problems after years of not changing filters, sitting on the hard, partially filled tanks, etc. And others seem to be very particular with regard to fuel system maintenance and yet perpetually battle goo, debris, clogged filters, etc. My vote is a using a filter funnel while refueling, adding the opti-lube XPD, and using as much of the fuel in the tank as possible between fill ups. As always YMMV Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD On Oct 12, 2015 12:39 PM, "Richard N. Bush via CnC-List" < [email protected]> wrote: > With apologies for re-raising a previously discussed topic; my boat is a > 1985 37 with the original Yanmar 3HMF 27 hp; I went for my annual diesel > fill up and the pumps were out of order; so I had to get diesel from a > street gas station; although the cost was almost a dollar per gallon > cheaper, I noted that it was the "green" color rather than the "red" color; > so my question is do I need to put some type of sulpher additive or > something along those lines into this fuel? I did motor with it for an > extended time on Sunday with no adverse effects; in addition to this > question, what should I use for the upcoming winter layup? many thanks > > Richard > 1985 C&C 37 CB; Ohio River Mi. 584; > > > Richard N. Bush > 2950 Breckenridge Lane, Suite Nine > Louisville, Kentucky 40220-1462 > 502-584-7255 > > > Email address: [email protected] To change your list preferences, > including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: > http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com > > _______________________________________________ > > Email address: > [email protected] > To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the > bottom of page at: > http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com > > >
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