This summer I had a bad fuel clogging issue. When I took out the primary filter it was FILLED with what looked like pink jelly.
Normally when you get algae growth or something like that the filter has a blackish look. One guy said it looked like when diesel fuel gets very, very cold.... another said it was caused by ethanol in the fuel but I didn't think they were adding that to diesel (yet).
I am very careful about adding the fuel additives that are suggested (even over add most of the time). Anyone have any idea what this could be?
I changed the filters a couple of times and took out what fuel I had before refueling an it ran OK but now I'm planning on taking out the tank to clean it this winter (again... second time in 3 years though last time the problem wasn't in the tank) due to a trust issue for next season.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gel_point_%28petroleum%29[/url]
Thiis may be your answer to the gelling?
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Gary... that would explain the gel if it were Jan or Feb... but July on LI Sound??? Thanks for the input but, it's got to be something else.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
However, most of the waxes will still remain in solid form and the fuel has to be warmed up further until its Remix temperature in order to completely remelt and redissolve the waxes.
This is what I thought might be what you were finding....could not find the temp for it to return to normal but if it is a wax I suspect the temp is higher than what you have in the bowels of a boat.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
OK... I understand that, but last winter was not particularly cold (can't remember any nights below 20 degrees F) and I've never had this problem with this boat or any others. I can't see what would have caused it to freeze in the 1st place.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
There are two kinds of diesel for marine engine use: white (road diesel) and red (off road diesel). Same stuff, but simply dyed for tax purposes. Fuel docks can legally sell either one as long as it's going in a boat. If your fuel is red to begin with, it just might just be ordinary algae/bacteria that is ingesting the red dye. Most of the time the algae/bacteria is there because water is there. Regardless, I'd suspect your fuel dock as the source of your issues. Polish your fuel system, switch to a another fuel dock (name-brand), and keep your tank full to minimize condensation. Additives have more use for long-term storage and low-temp operating, so go easy on them (or) consider tossing them completely as they might be doing more harm than good. In 10 years of cruising and layup in Connecticut, never a drop of additive and the iron genny never complained. Not one bit.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor