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Clean Fuel
Management
 I was recently halfway between
Havana Cuba and Marathon Florida, in the middle of the Gulf Stream at night, and
had both engines shutting down repeatedly one after the other. That’s a safety
issue. It turns out that I had picked up some bad fuel from a truck (here in the
Keys, not Cuba) and it all broke loose in the rough waters of the Gulf Stream on
the return. Algae. Lots of Algae. John Horan from Quality Yacht Services here in
Marathon cleaned my fuel and gave me lots of pointers on keeping me from that
situation ever again. I thought I’d pass them on to you. These and other tips
are listed on his website at
www.wecleanfuel.com. Use a good fuel additive. Products for diesel
should contain a water disperser, cetane booster and sludge remover. John
recommends Technol 403 Diesel Fuel Conditioner (this is different than a regular
biocide because it doesn’t allow the algae to grow). Additives for gasoline
should disperse water, retard varnish formation and contain a fuel stabilizer.
Check tanks for water frequently, especially after fuel fills. Use a
water finding paste to check tank bottoms and check fuel filter bowls
frequently. Remove any water that is present. Water in diesel tanks will
promote algae growth...water in gas tanks can cause engine damage and corrode
fuel tanks. Look for source of water if a significant amount is present
in your tank. Seals on fuel fill caps and fuel sender units are frequently the
problem. . Keep your fuel tanks full, especially if your boat will be
going into storage. A full tank minimizes the formation of water by
condensation. Buy fuel from an active, reputable dealer. Don't be fooled
by the presence of a fuel filter on the pump. Most filters have a built in
by-pass valve that allows the fuel to flow without passing through the filter if
the filter is clogged. Don't buy fuel soon after a fuel delivery. Any
debris that may be present in your dealer’s storage tank will become suspended
with the fuel during the filling process and could be pumped into your tank. It
may require as long as 12 hours for the contamination to settle out. Address
any contamination problems as soon as possible. They won't go away by
themselves and can only get worse. It's better to nip the problem in the bud.
P/C Gregory Absten
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