Diesel Bug

[woody paul]

Anyone use a good diesel additive to stop black sludge. 

There's so many on the market but need pointing in right direction. 

[5thelement]

Guy I know is a keen sailor and swears by ‘Fuel Set’ to keep diesel bug out of marine engines. 

[GarethM]

Dumb question, is it more of a problem with summer diesel compared to winter fuel that's usually got a bit of added paraffin to prevent gelling?

[5thelement]

11 minutes ago, GarethM said:

Dumb question, is it more of a problem with summer diesel compared to winter fuel that's usually got a bit of added paraffin to prevent gelling?

I think the problem is exasperated in marine engines due to the high moisture causing a bacterial build up, maybe chippers etc suffer more in Winter due to similar. Does added paraffin in Winter not just lower the freezing point of the fuel?

Edited November 23, 2024 by 5thelement

[GarethM]

Just now, 5thelement said:

I think the problem is exasperated in marine engines due to the high moisture, maybe chippers etc suffer more in Winter due to similar. Does added paraffin in Winter not just lower the freezing point of the fuel?

I get the moisture thing in marine and wet environments especially when the tanks can create condensation.

 

The added paraffin in winterised diesel, makes it usable to something like -12 Vs -4 for summer.

 

Always wondered if it helped to kill the bugs that can live in the veg oils added to modern diesel.

 

As these diesel big killers are just an alcohol based additive from what I've seen on the msds.

[Ratman]

I use this, i don’t put it in every tank full, maybe 1 in 3 fills. I think its down to the increased amount of bio thats used these days, its certainly worse these days compared to 10 yrs ago! 

[Whoppa Choppa]

1 hour ago, woody paul said:

Anyone use a good diesel additive to stop black sludge. 

There's so many on the market but need pointing in right direction. 

Fuel Set - Green liquid in measuring bottle.

[Muddy42]

I have only had problems with machines left outside and used infrequently.
 

Ive had no problems since I got a bigger shed and I try to periodically run tanks empty and flush them out with petrol and leave to evaporate. seems to work but Im not an expert.

 

i now suspect my heating oil has a bug (kerosene) so Im going to flush it out soon.

[openspaceman]

10 hours ago, 5thelement said:

Does added paraffin in Winter not just lower the freezing point of the fuel?

Diesel doesn't so much freeze but rather waxes dissolved in it precipitate out, this wax then blocks the fuel filters, so in the past the refineries produced a summer grade and a winter grade which had a lower waxing point. I think the same winter grade has been used year round since the 80s.

 

 

[Rough Cutter]

Rarely gets cold here so regularly run fuel cleaners. 

Keep the tanks full and run them right empty during use periods.