Nimbus News - Spring 2013  

Recent changes in the EU/UK supply of fuel regulations have made it more likely that we will suffer fuel contamination of our diesel fuel and fuel tanks.

In the past, our marine diesel fuel has basically been ‘central heating’ oil, which although it has good storage properties, doesn’t contain the performance enhancing additives of ‘road fuel’.

The new legislation requires the supply of low sulphur diesel fuel where it is to be used on ‘Inland Waterways’. The definition of inland waterways included estuarial waters such as the Solent. Low sulphur diesel presents no threat in itself, provided that the refineries have added a lubricity enhancer, which they will have done. The most cost effective way for fuel distributors to supply marine fuel to refuelling stations is to bring in road diesel fuel...... READ MORE

Boats & Yachts for Sale - September 2010  

We have heard the old saying “A tiger in your tank” well what about bacteria in your fuel tank? We met with Gavin Tester one of Expresslube’s engineers and asked him all the questions you need answered.

Q:- Hi Gavin, can you tell our readers in layman’s terms what is bacteria in the fuel tank?

A:- Other names for the bacteria are Black Death, Cladosporia, Hormoconis Resinae or it’s more commonly known name “Diesel Bug”. This bug not only attacks diesel but also kerosene and even petrol, it is in fact a fungus which grows between the interface of the fuel and water, continually growing and dying creating a black sludgy slime...... READ MORE

Boats & Yachts for Sale - October 2008  

Fuel Tanks are normally placed low on the rung of priorities for owners of boats when it comes down to regular maintenance. With the cost of fuel rising weekly and the loss of the ‘reduced rates of duty’ to take effect from the 1st November 2008, there has never been a better time to re-priorities those tanks and the fuel within.

Fuel Tanks are normally placed low in a boat, below decks, in an unseen spot and somewhere generally not far from the engine room, often close or through a bulkhead. Therefore, it follows that most fuel tanks are fairly grubby and don’t get enough attention, as a rule. In fact, as long as the engine runs okay, it’s fair to say that the tanks are never looked at, at all from one year to the next...... READ MORE

Motor Boats Monthly - April 2004  

You can remove all trace of diesel bug from your fuel system without the expense of stripping out tanks for cleaning. We tried an operation that decontaminates your diesel as it recirculates it.

Even if you are careful to prevent water or dirt getting into your fuel tanks, the dreaded 'diesel bug' can strike, and even if you use a biocide to kill it, a residue of sludge and slime can clog your filters. How do you get rid of it.

The obvious answer is to lift out your tanks and have them professionally steam cleaned. But that's a costly business; in fact, it can be damned near impossible without taking the boat apart. Fortunately, there are other ways to clean your tanks and system thoroughly. Despite what we felt was good housekeeping in guarding our Cygnus 33's tanks from contamination...... READ MORE

Commercial Motor - September 2003  

There could be something nasty lurking in your diesel that could not only damage your engines but also hamper performance.

Every one knows water and diesel don't mix - literally. The trick, in fact is keeping them apart. Water contamination in diesel fuel is a common problem throughout the transport industry and one which, if left untreated, can do irreversible damage to an engine's fuelling system and injectors, as well as severely affecting its performance.

Most hauliers probably cast an eye over the water separator during a service, and drain off the offending liquid. But there could be something far nastier than just water lurking in your fuel tank or diesel bunker.  Two tiny micro-organisms known as Cladisporium Resinae and Hormoconis Resinae...... READ MORE