As I prepare for my first season of running diesels I was wondering what the diesel guys use for additives when they fill up. Some sort of biocide or cetane boost?
Since I bought my first diesel boat in 1999, I have never used an additive. In my opinion, if you use the boat enough, buy fuel from a reputable source and have a very good filtration system, additives are not needed. Every 2 years when I haul out for maintenance, I have the yard tilt the boat bow high. I remove the fuel pick up and suck off of the bottom of the tank with a bucket pump, hose and copper tube. I have only picked up a minimal amount of sediment and never any water. Recently, I have been concerned with low sulfur diesel and its lack of lubrication. I am told that Yanmar is not recommending any additive at this time. If I were to use an additive for lubrication, I would also choose the Stanadyne product formulated for that purpose.
Bruce, which additive do you like? Stanadyne made a marine formula several years ago that they discontinued. I did use it for several tank fulls when I first purchased my boat since it had sat for a while.
Every time I start my diesels when they are cold they emit enormous amounts of blue smoke. When new the smoke was minimal. 65 hours is still new but they are definitley smokers as they age. Clears up significantly after you run it though. I am all ears for the propper lubrication additive.
I live in S. Jersey, I use cetane 8, very little smoke on startups. I buy fuel from a marina that sells more fuel by far than anyone else. My engines are 315 yanmars. ( 2003 model)
Kevin, Maybe your care package, thats still setting in my shop will help. Now that I'm in the shop for a bit till the shoulder gets better, I should be able to get it in the post.
Please PM me the secret location for disimination using my decoder ring
Is there a shelf life on Stanadyne? As I am getting very close (believe it or not) to putting Dreamsicle in the wa for a water line I need to fill the tank. Hopefully it won't be long (months) before actual launch but I'm taking no chances, so is Stanadyne Performance Formula the right stuff and should I buy it by the case (the shelf life question)?
Mikey
3/18/1963 - -31-327 factory hardtop express, the only one left.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
-Albert Einstein
According to the distributor for the Boston area, the 16oz. sells for $4.89 a bottle and treats 60 gallons. They also make a half gallon size that treats 250 gallons and sells for $16.99.