Fuel Polishing
- Thread starter timjet
- Start date
tobnpr
New Member
I've never heard of rentals; there are mobile outfits that specialize in doing it dockside.
If it's an ongoing fuel quality issue, it may be worth considering adding a permanent system- here's an example of the Racor system:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|311|302335|1209168&id=1256362
If it's an ongoing fuel quality issue, it may be worth considering adding a permanent system- here's an example of the Racor system:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|311|302335|1209168&id=1256362
Yea, I don't think I'll find a rental unit. I don't know if it's going to be an ongoing problem as I just bought the boat and it sat unused with 30 gallons or so in each tank for over 2 years. I cleaned out as much fuel as I could (removed it) but certainly didn't get it all, because when I refueled I clogged my racors within 30 minutes.
I'm thinking of using my existing 2 racors in parallel along with my oil change pump to polish the fuel in my saddle tanks until the racors run clean or the pump gives out.
I'm thinking of using my existing 2 racors in parallel along with my oil change pump to polish the fuel in my saddle tanks until the racors run clean or the pump gives out.
searay40dad
Active Member
- Oct 23, 2006
- 1,161
- Boat Info
- 2001 480 Sedan Bridge w/ Novurania RIB
- Engines
- 660 hp CAT 3196's
I had a similar problem...here's the PM I recd from FW...motors running to spec and nearly soot-free:
"If you have sludge in the tanks, there are 2 approaches to reach a solution.......1. call a fuel polishing company and have the tanks pumps and the fuel filtered or, 2. change the Racors repeatedly until you run the fuel out. #2 is the cheapest approach but you may have to change the filters several times.
You also need to be sure you are using 30 micron Racors and the Caterpillar brand high efficiency secondary filters..........they trap at 5 microns.
Try your best o hold off buying fuel until you get the fuel in the boat burned off. The engine may not perform to spec and you may use up some Racors, but running the tanks as low as possible before buying fuel is the surest way to clean up the sludge. When you do buy fuel, use a shock level of biocide to kill off any microbes remaining in the tank.
Power Service Products has a product that I have used with excellent results for what you are dealing with.........it is "diesel 9-1-1":
http://www.powerservice.com/d911/
9-1-1 is effective at breaking up the chains of microbial growth into particles small enough to pass most filtration systems. If you do have a mess in the tanks, I would use Power Service biocide, POwer Service DIesel Kleen and Diesel 9-1-1 all at the same time, now. The goal is to get the fuel burned with minimum filter changes and minimal interruption to using the boat. Once you burn up the bad fuel, then run another course of the same 2 chemicals for the amount of fuel you put in the tanks. I use biocide and Diesel Kleen with every fill up and once a year, I shock the tanks and run 9-1-1 . For me here in Florida, this works because my filter are always clean even after a 250 hour change interval."
good luck...
"If you have sludge in the tanks, there are 2 approaches to reach a solution.......1. call a fuel polishing company and have the tanks pumps and the fuel filtered or, 2. change the Racors repeatedly until you run the fuel out. #2 is the cheapest approach but you may have to change the filters several times.
You also need to be sure you are using 30 micron Racors and the Caterpillar brand high efficiency secondary filters..........they trap at 5 microns.
Try your best o hold off buying fuel until you get the fuel in the boat burned off. The engine may not perform to spec and you may use up some Racors, but running the tanks as low as possible before buying fuel is the surest way to clean up the sludge. When you do buy fuel, use a shock level of biocide to kill off any microbes remaining in the tank.
Power Service Products has a product that I have used with excellent results for what you are dealing with.........it is "diesel 9-1-1":
http://www.powerservice.com/d911/
9-1-1 is effective at breaking up the chains of microbial growth into particles small enough to pass most filtration systems. If you do have a mess in the tanks, I would use Power Service biocide, POwer Service DIesel Kleen and Diesel 9-1-1 all at the same time, now. The goal is to get the fuel burned with minimum filter changes and minimal interruption to using the boat. Once you burn up the bad fuel, then run another course of the same 2 chemicals for the amount of fuel you put in the tanks. I use biocide and Diesel Kleen with every fill up and once a year, I shock the tanks and run 9-1-1 . For me here in Florida, this works because my filter are always clean even after a 250 hour change interval."
good luck...
tobnpr
New Member
Did you use a "shock" bioicide treatment to kill all the nasty microbes?
EDIT: SRDad beat me to it...
EDIT: SRDad beat me to it...
Searay40dad,
Thanks for the info. I'm going to call around and see what prices I'm quoted for polishing. Going #2 route may work because my saddle tanks may not be clogged as much as I first thought. I'm going to work with the boat this week and see what gives. I was able to maintain 1800 rpm, so they're not clogging completely.
I'm going to install a priming squeeze bulb system to both my racors to make it easier to change filter elements. Instructions are on boatdiesel.com or sbmar.com
I've been in contact with power-service company and asked them specifically what treatment they would recommend for a boat in south FL. Here is there reply:
Note: Rush truck centers was the only place I could find Bio Kleen and Clear-Diesel. Diesel Kleen can be found at Wal-Mart.
[FONT="]Hello Mr. Pittman,[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Thank you for taking the time to contact Power Service Products.[/FONT]
[FONT="]For a marine application such as yours I recommend using Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost with every fill up to improve cetane, detergents, and lubricity of the diesel fuel. Before storage during the winter (or periods over 3 months) I recommend treating with Clear-Diesel Fuel and Tank Cleaner for increasing storage stability, removing excess moisture, and dispersing fuel contaminants. Bio Kleen diesel fuel biocide should be used once a year in conjunction with Clear-Diesel to kill and remove microbial contaminants. I have attached technical bulletins for the products discussed. In the Florida area I would contact your local NAPA to order these products or Port Consolidated may have product on hand. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Please let me know if you have any questions.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Thank you,[/FONT]
[FONT="]Tom[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Tom Ward[/FONT]
[FONT="]Compliance officer/ Technical advisor[/FONT]
[FONT="]Power Service Products, Inc.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]1-800-643-9089[/FONT]
Thanks for the info. I'm going to call around and see what prices I'm quoted for polishing. Going #2 route may work because my saddle tanks may not be clogged as much as I first thought. I'm going to work with the boat this week and see what gives. I was able to maintain 1800 rpm, so they're not clogging completely.
I'm going to install a priming squeeze bulb system to both my racors to make it easier to change filter elements. Instructions are on boatdiesel.com or sbmar.com
I've been in contact with power-service company and asked them specifically what treatment they would recommend for a boat in south FL. Here is there reply:
Note: Rush truck centers was the only place I could find Bio Kleen and Clear-Diesel. Diesel Kleen can be found at Wal-Mart.
[FONT="]Hello Mr. Pittman,[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Thank you for taking the time to contact Power Service Products.[/FONT]
[FONT="]For a marine application such as yours I recommend using Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost with every fill up to improve cetane, detergents, and lubricity of the diesel fuel. Before storage during the winter (or periods over 3 months) I recommend treating with Clear-Diesel Fuel and Tank Cleaner for increasing storage stability, removing excess moisture, and dispersing fuel contaminants. Bio Kleen diesel fuel biocide should be used once a year in conjunction with Clear-Diesel to kill and remove microbial contaminants. I have attached technical bulletins for the products discussed. In the Florida area I would contact your local NAPA to order these products or Port Consolidated may have product on hand. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Please let me know if you have any questions.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Thank you,[/FONT]
[FONT="]Tom[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Tom Ward[/FONT]
[FONT="]Compliance officer/ Technical advisor[/FONT]
[FONT="]Power Service Products, Inc.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]1-800-643-9089[/FONT]
[FONT="]If it runs on diesel... It runs better with Power Service[/FONT]
