Cleaning diesel soot of fiberglass

eqquus1

eqquus1

Member
Aug 22, 2010
49
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Boat Info
37' 1998 Aft Cabin
Engines
CATS 3116TA
Can anyone recommend something to clean the diesel soot off the fiberglass? Buff Magic works awesome but I don"t think I should use it on a continual basis. Any suggestions???
 
My friends use "Amazing Roll off" in a spray bottle.
 
31fc991RaPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg



I love this stuff.
I buy gallon and re-fill spray bottle.

try BOE or Amazon to purchase.
 
Altough I don't get a lot of soot, but from time to time I would see slight build up and all I do is just take a wet rag (I rinse it in sea water) and wipe it off while I'm going for a swim. Quick and easy without any chemicals. I maintain my water line the same way. It's always easy to keep things clean when you have only slight build up, but if you let it accumulate, then you'll have to use chemicals to help to get the stuff off.
 
I would work at this from another direction. Most 3116's do not leave soot and are very clean engines. Sooting usually means that you are a little over propped, so I would load the boat as you normally do, be sure the bottom is clean then run it at WOT. If you cannot get 2800-2850 rpm's then you need to have a little pitch or maybe cup removed from the props.
 
Thanks for this helpful information. Frank, this boat is new to us and we have had some work done on the starboard engine by CAT. The port engine will need some work on it as well, planned for the fall. We run at 2600 rpm's as she was running a little high (190 degrees) and had the marina repair that issue but the mechanic said we shouldn't run her at WOT which is 2900 rpm's. The props were taken care of this spring. What should these engines run at in your opinion, what speed should we expect, and should we have other things addressed?
Thanks
 
fwebster said:
I would work at this from another direction. Most 3116's do not leave soot and are very clean engines. Sooting usually means that you are a little over propped, so I would load the boat as you normally do, be sure the bottom is clean then run it at WOT. If you cannot get 2800-2850 rpm's then you need to have a little pitch or maybe cup removed from the props.
Click to expand...

Frank, I assume the same would go for my engines? I get some black on the aft sides and I am sure they over-propped my boat.
 
Last edited:
Well, there is your problem.

The 3116 is rated at wide open throttle of 2800 rpm, not 2900. Recommended cruise is 2400 rpm; not 2600. You are overloading your engines and that is the cause for the soot. And this isn't some guy on a forum talking either.......those rpm settings are directly from Caterpillar.
 
I'm slightly over propped by choice and deal with some soot under load. If you keep this area clean and well waxed, boat soap will take care of it with little to no problem. Occasionally I have to use a magic eraser and follow up with a fresh coat of wax. After trying just about every wax and sealer on the market on this area, I have found that the liquid Collinite (I think it's 925) works best and lasts the longest after repeated cleaning. It's a pain to work with, especially in the summer, but worth the effort IMO.
 
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