The Blue View - Keeping Bugs Out of the Fuel

Fifteen years ago, when Marcie and I first started cruising, we met Doug and his wife Fay, aboard his sailboat, Nip and Tuck. Doug is probably the most laid back guy I know, and possesses an immense amount of knowledge about fuels, engines and boats in general. We immediately became fast friends, and we've connected in half a dozen exotic places around the world.

He lives in Florida now, and spent some time with us aboard Nine of Cups while were in St. Augustine. We had an opportunity to get caught up and talk about a host of subjects. One of our topics was the new low sulfur diesel fuels and its effect on marine engines. I asked whether he would be interested in doing a guest blog for us on the subject, and he graciously agreed. Here it is:

Just over a decade ago, the soot produced by the combustion of diesel fuel was one of the largest contributors to air pollution in the U.S. In 2006, in an effort to improve air quality, the government mandated reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel and petroleum refiners geared up to produce ULSD (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel). ULSD fuel has less than 15 ppm (parts per million) sulfur as compared to 500 ppm sulfur of the previous diesel. ULSD was introduced slowly and by 2014, it was the only diesel fuel available to us in the USA. ULSD, in a nutshell, is a cleaner diesel fuel. There is little argument that the fuel available today reduces exhaust emissions and dramatically improves air quality. (As a side note, marine and off-road diesel fuel, as well as heating oil are all ULSD, and is dyed red.)

The new fuel has a few negatives associated with it, however. To produce ULSD, a new process called hydrocracking was added to the refining of the fuel. During the hydrocracking process the demulsibility, i.e. the diesel fuel's ability to allow water to fall to the bottom of the tank, has been reduced, so there exists a situation where some water is encapsulated or entrained into the fuel. Also the natural lubricant quality of the sulfur has been greatly reduced which causes additional wear on injector pumps and injectors.

In addition, sulfur was also a natural biocide which helped reduce bacterial and fungal growth in diesel fuel. Many mariners do not realize that hydrocarbon-eating bacteria exist and flourish in a wet environment and can clog filters, shutting down your engine - usually at the most inopportune time. The bacteria thrive in tank bottom water, as well as condensate and feed on the fuel, leaving behind a very black, slippery effluent.

Marine diesel tanks are particularly susceptible to water and moisture contamination. Boats are often used seasonally, so diesel fuel sits in the tanks gathering moisture and condensation in what is already a very moist environment. Fuel tank vents, which are usually vented outside the hull, easily gather moisture as the diesel fuel expands and contracts with temperature changes. Air is forced out of the tank as the air gets warmer during the day and the fuel expands, then is drawn back in at night as the fuel cools and contracts. In addition, as the engine is running and fuel is being used, moist air is constantly being drawn into the tanks.

One other issue associated with ULSD is that hydrocracking refineries can now convert residual grades of crude, e.g. asphalt and #4 and #6 bunker fuels, into #2 diesel fuel used in boats, trucks and locomotives. This technology became necessary as the demand for #2 diesel fuel became higher than the available supply. The petroleum companies needed a way to produce more #2 diesel fuel and found it through hydrocracking. Unfortunately, there is asphalt fallout in the #2 diesel fuel that is called asphaltene. Asphaltene shows up in #2 diesel fuel at times and looks very similar to the black slippery effluent created by bio-contamination. The only way to differentiate between the two types of contamination is by testing.

Here are some suggestions for long term care and maintenance of diesel fuel and tanks.

1. Keep your diesel tanks full if possible. This reduces the air space in the tank where moisture can form.
2. Check deck fill pipes to insure the rubber “O” ring or gasket is in good condition. It does not hurt to apply Vasoline to the “O” ring or gasket to keep it pliable. Replace if cracked or hard.

3. Clean your tanks regularly to insure there is no water or sludge on the bottom for your pump to pick up and carry to filters. You can hire a service to do this or make your own fuel polishing system.
4. Check to see if you have a water separating system on your vessel. RACOR makes a great water separator/filter. Check the micron size of your filter. Finding a filter with a 5 to 10 micron absolute rating is best. Always keep extra filters on your vessel. Service your fuel system regularly. Some of the microscopic encapsulated or entrained water in ULSD will pass through a fuel filter, which is why tighter filtration is always better.
5. The primary issue today with ULSD is water. Using an additive to help reduce water in your fuel is very important. Power Service “Fuel Power” is a very good product that I have experience with and is readily available at most auto parts stores. There are a lot of products available that tout they are excellent. Read reviews and check them out before purchasing.
6. Test your diesel fuel annually to see if you have any microbial contamination. This is a simple process that anyone can do. I use “Liqui-Cult” test kits. They are inexpensive and will tell you if you have any “bugs” in your fuel. Liqui-Cult test kits are available from several sources on the internet.

7. If your fuel tests positive for microbial contamination, make sure any water in your tanks is removed. Treat your fuel with a biocide. Sta-Bil and BioBor are both good biocides. They are dual phase, meaning they work in water, as well as the fuel.

8. Some of the fuel purchased out of the USA is not filtered and can create an issue to a sailor in a foreign port. It is easy to pick up a small 12 volt pump and a filter housing so you can filter fuel carried in deck tanks or, with the right fittings, connect to the supplier's fuel hose and filter the fuel going into your tanks. It might slow down the fuel delivery process but I would rather do that than be sitting on the water somewhere with clogged fuel filters.

Prevention through active maintenance is always better than sitting with a dead engine waiting on a tow boat.

W. Douglas Grimm STLE CLS OMA-1 was formally an ASE mechanic and Hazmat Supervisor. He has spent more than four decades in the petroleum industry testing fuel and lubricants as well as managing a large tank cleaning crew – generally ensuring that the fuel tanks of his hundreds of corporate customers were tested and cleaned and any sediment was properly disposed of according to EPA regulations. He's also been a boat owner for 30 years doing all his own maintenance.

Doug can be contacted at Capt.grimsley@yahoo.com

Below are Amazon links provided for your convenience. These are affiliate links, so if you buy these products or anything else from Amazon through these links we get a little cash back at no extra cost to you. Thank You!