Do we have diesel bug? - Sailing A B Sea (Ep.114)

In this episode of Sailing A B Sea Baz asks the question do we have diesel bug as he opens up the fuel tank for inspection.
Diesel bug is contamination of diesel fuel by microbes such as bacteria and fungi which thrive in the separation layer between the diesel fuel and any water that may have got into the fuel tank.
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[@SailingABSea]

An Amazon affiliate link to the Liqui Moly Pro-Line Diesel Cleaner is included in the video description.

[@stephendavies6506]

easy to work out if you have the bug. take a sample of fuel. put it in a clear glass. add the bug killer , stir and leave it over night. in the morning you will have jelly/glycerine in the bottom. you can add diesel bug treatment to all fuel tanks and filter it out. i had this with a landrover a few years back . you can also add an additive to the fuel which allows the water and fuel to mix into an imulsion, fuel stations in the uk add it to their underground tanks all the time. this will burn as normal. i use it all the time. i use a biocide called SW4 to kill the bug and Fuel set, which is the fuel conditioner to allow the fuel and water to mix. also keep your tanks as full as possible all of the time. the bug grows on the damp area above the fuel, feeding off it.

[@SailingABSea]

Thanks for sharing that info and tips Stephen. 👍

[@CanAm_Sailing]

Great work, Baz.

[@SailingABSea]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@teddyboysdontknit810]

Keep um coming you two, there will be many stuck at home living life through your videos, keep safe.

[@SailingABSea]

Thank you! Will do! Cheers.

[@normanboyes4983]

Not sure why you were having trouble getting the key out of the shaft - have not watched the video yet but you should be able to get it out with a punch or small chisel. Once you have it out, however and have it all cleaned up with a wee file it would be worth drilling a hole right through the key (in the direction of where it sits against the key way), using a tapping size drill for say a 6mm thread. So next time you can just wind in a 6mm bolt and that will jack the key out no problemo. Fuel contamination. As you probably know from your research😉 Diesel Fuel contamination has two main components, one is ‘fuel derived dirt’ which is the natural action of refined products attempting to revert to their natural state - it looks like small black specs and will be caught by your filters and increase the rate of filter blockage. The best way to minimise this natural process is to only buy your fuel from the busiest busy filling station/marina that turns their stock over quickly, in addition, you should never be filling your tanks while you have fuel on the deck in Jerry cans - cycle those into the tanks as soon as there is space. To be honest only use deck Jerry tanks when on an extended transit (not sure of your consumption rate) but maybe passages of more than 48 hours. The second element of fuel contamination is ‘diesel bug’ (or micro biological contamination or specifically - cladisporium resinae) which as you quite rightly identify grows and feeds on the nutrients at the fuel water interface. Prevention is better than cure and you are on top of the precautions, but a good fuel system with correctly rated fuel water separators and filters is essential. The gold standard is to have the pipework and valves to enable you to ‘polish’ the stock in the tank or even devise a portable Magyver solution that you could rig if you hit trouble (could be mounted on a chunk of plywood and kept in a locker). On these additives. I would not mix them in with the fuel at the same time without verifying they are compatible. If you currently do not have diesel bug I would put the system cleaner in first and turn the tank stock over before using the biocide. Personally I would not use the biocide unless I had evidence of diesel bug - it looks like black stringy snot btw. Enough - sorry for my verbosity.😉

[@SailingABSea]

Hey Norman, thanks for sharing all that info and we love the tip for drilling a hole through the key for easy release. Cheers.

[@stuegor]

Nice to have a big job ticked off the list. Hope you both remain healthy as we all try to avoid this world changing virus.

[@SailingABSea]

Hopefully many more jobs getting the 100% done tick in the next few videos. Stay home and stay safe. 👍

[@rwriddell]

If you want a job doing properly - do it yourself! Played guys. xx

[@SailingABSea]

Thanks Rob.

[@andybrands1883]

Hi guys a lot of positives in that vid just what we need at the moment ,and it looks like the weather is warming up out there to yeeehaa !!!! Stay healthy guys.XXXX

[@SailingABSea]

Hi Andy, yes spring is in the air and Baz gets to learn a whole new set of local pollen allergies. Hahahaha

[@kidocq]

Both of you are really becoming boat repair professionals … Well done 👍

[@SailingABSea]

Yes we are Michel, it's a little daunting and scary at times, but when it's successfully completed the feel good factor is great.

[@kcaskmelater5079]

Hey Baz be sure to remove the key from the prop shaft before you reinstall it as there is a very good chance of damaging the shaft seal a trick I have used is to tape up the area of the key notch so that all sharp edges are covered, masking tape works great

[@SailingABSea]

Good call! Thanks for that tip KC. 👍

[@boardelia]

Hey guys, must be a relief to see a clean tank ! I can't wait to check mine, i hope it's in the same condition. Taking note of the products you bought just in case mine doesn't work, i bought the Startbrite Startron and wait to see how it works.

[@SailingABSea]

Fingers crossed it's all good for you too. 👍

[@SVImpavidus]

👍Sail Safe guys. Ant, Cid and the pooch crew.

[@SailingABSea]

Thanks guys. 👍

[@murraywestenskow2896]

It's midnight where I am. Was thinking of going to bed, but I checked on you, and now i have to stay up longer. Now I'll watch and comment. ~ You gave me a couple of "laugh out loud" moments. When you were ignoring Aannsha about the set screw - I knew it was going to bite you. You're like me - you have a hard time listening to your wife regarding anything mechanical. I've learned the hard way to at least be polite as she tells me how to do things. Also at 10:40 - I saw all the bolts for the panel and thought "there's no way he's not going to lose a couple of those nuts." You did well getting it all attached again. Fuel - Gas and Diesel does have a shelf life, but I imagine that you are well within the guidelines. Future reference - you could have laid single sheets of paper towels on top of the diesel to absorb floating impurities. Didn't look like it was needed. Those additives are expensive - did you know urea - found in human urine is a chemical that breaks down impurities? Stay safe - we're on day 24 of strict self quarantine. I'm getting 9 and 10 hours of sleep. It's kind of nice.

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) Yes I should've listened to Aannsha, I'm happy to eat crow when I know I'm wrong. Good info on the urea, but not sure that peeing into the fuel tank will make it run any better. 😂

[@silvanocometta9760]

Hi there. From my own (bad) experience with diesel bug in theMed I looked into the subject for quite some time, also because of personal interest, as I am a biochemist. In essence it has increased in the past 5-7 years do to the fact that in many Southern EU countries biodiesel has been added to diesel (at about 10% in volume). This fact promotes bug growth. Therefore, additives like the ones you use need to be added at each filling. In addition, I upgraded my Racor filter to a double Racor to proceed, when the engine stops underway. By doing so I never got problems, despite the diesel in my tank is not yet perfectly clear, but improving. Good luck. Silvano

[@SailingABSea]

That's great information to share Silvano, thanks. 👍

[@RusstafaB]

Some good work completed there. Lockdown in the UK and think it will get stricter soon. Sorry to sound pessimistic but think your lockdown may be longer than a month so maybe a good idea to plan for that. Who would have thought this a month ago. Keep well and keep safe and get some more ticks happening against that list of jobs, well done 👍🏼

[@SailingABSea]

Hey Russtafa, yes full lock down in Greece also, we're living back on board A B Sea while she's on the hard and we'll just have to sit it out until the travel restrictions are lifted. Stay home and stay safe.

[@rolandm.7430]

Dont forget to put some anti diesel-bug additives in the jerrycans. Especially when you do not use it in the next months.

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) That's a very good point Roland, I hadn't thought of that. Cheers.

[@user-wu4ct4zv4c]

Hi Guys, It looks like you are getting really professionals with all these maintenance jobs. Thumbs up. Also you are very Lucy having all replacement pars on hand. I ordered one week charter yacht for this June sailing Sporadic Islands .It seems this option looks quite slim. What do you say? Cheers. Eyal Green (Israel)

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) Hi Eyal, thanks for watching and leaving a comment. I would say that June is not looking good even though we too are hoping that the travel restrictions are lifted by then as we want to head to Turkey while it is summer time. Fingers crossed.

[@MyAvaGrace]

Ha ha my wife Janet shouted listen to her when you ignored Aanasha. I live on board with 2 other pussies, but they aren't ginger. Hopefully you've managed to dodge the diesel bug. Hope you stay safe, we are in lock down. Total lock down the marina where we are have now closed the sea lock, nobody in or out. All the best Dave & Janet

[@SailingABSea]

Hahaha that made us both laugh, brilliant. I put a little extra anti-diesel bug juice in the mix so we shouldn't have a problem. Do you have an annual contract at the marina or were you on a short winter contract?

[@MyAvaGrace]

@@SailingABSea We had short term leisure contract as we should have been setting off around Britain in 3 weeks time. We were told initially we had to leave the marina and go home, but our boat is our home now. So we've had to go onto a 12 month residential contract. The marina have waived the cancelation penalty clause, so we could cancel once restrictions have lifted.

[@jordy641]

Dont you think it might be better to have two more jerry cans of diesel? You can use them fist before refueling and have them. Refueled at the fuel dock

[@SailingABSea]

Storage would be the problem. The diesel and water are currently strapped onto the strengthened double stanchions at each side gate. We wouldn't trust a single stanchion to hold the weight of 20 kilos.

[@laurenlane9918]

Such a pity, I see Brillean have closed their doors. Have you found an alternative to what looks like a great product.

[@SailingABSea]

Hi Lauren, we didn't know that. Fortunately we have a 2.8 kilo tub of it, which we are still using.

[@jimanderson2518]

Hey Baz .....Ginger pussy cats are as rare as unicorns. They are usually found on a mans bucket list😁. Great job on the diesel and couplings. Ever consider instalking a polisher.....really not that hard . Seeing that you have 2 months to kill you might want to install one in all that time you'll have . Fairwinds from the @captains.chair

[@SailingABSea]

Hey Jim, once we've got most of the current jobs ticked off and if we're still in lickdown we might look into installing a polisher. Cheers.

[@Div3r]

I hate to sound pessimistic but I think travel restriction will be in place for all of 2020. Travel within the country you're in may be eased as herd immunity grows but as for international travel...nope. What may change that is a stamp in your passport saying you have been vaccinated against the virus which was administered by a medical professional (that's not happening in 2020) and/or an antibody test again administered by a medical professional, assuming that test is positive. I would say that's about four to six weeks away for the general public. As you say wash your hands and keep a minimum of two metres distance from other people. "Two metres distance determines our existence"

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) You make good points Div3r, of course time and hindsight will be the measure of reality, regardless of any of our personal optimistic or pessimistic thought processes. We live in interesting times. Stay safe. 👍

[@markmateljan260]

See, you don't need Google. ... cos you have a wife Baz 😒👸

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) I'm chuckling at that one Mark. Nice one. 👍

[@Mechone11]

Remove the key before pulling shaft or re installing the new seal ,you just damaged the seal lips, you can keep the old volvo seal for an emergency

[@SailingABSea]

We're in uncharted territory with these jobs, learning as we go. We didn't know that the key was removable. Thanks for sharing these tips. 👍

[@Mechone11]

use a pick punch on the end of the key and tap it up to remove

[@Mechone11]

@@SailingABSea You will get an orange plastic piece with the seal this goes into the seal before you put it on the shaft to protect the lips

[@Mongoose118]

Love your vids guys. You are having a ball. A quick question or three. The sailing courses you took. Was it just competent crew and day skipper? Not coastal skipper or yahtmaster? Are the two courses enough to be competent? Do you intend to take more? or are they enough for the type of cruising you do,? Is your Yacht a class A or B? Many thanks MIke

[@SailingABSea]

Hi Mike, yes we only did Comp Crew and Day Skipper, so far we're learning the rest as we sail. For our foreseeable future they are enough for what we're intending doing. A B Sea is Class A. Cheers.

[@Mongoose118]

Thanks for your reply. How did you find the courses? Fun, informative, difficult. Main one, difficult!!!! Do you recommend the company you used? I am thinking about going on one. You have inspired me. Stay safe in these difficult times Warm regards Mike

[@colinbeattie6826]

Hi Baz, glad your both safe and well !! .....wondering what’s your thoughts on installing fuel polishing system onboard as we are looking at Potential problems Col

[@SailingABSea]

We'd love to put a fuel polishing system on board A B Sea but cost and where to fit it are things that we'd need to consider.

[@leightonthomas8233]

Hiya loving the videos... Another new school of thought about bio diesel is to leave your fuel tank nearly empty for the winter, less fuel = less food for the bug. I'm not an advocate of either method - condensation v diesel bug, both undesirable .. lol I see others have mentioned the shaft key, as for how long this lockdown will last who knows, but if you do manage to tick off all the jobs there's another yacht with a ful list at Dimstef's :) Stay safe yachtzigzag.life

[@SailingABSea]

Hey Leighton, thanks for watching and leaving a comment. I'm not sure the travel restrictions would allow me to get to Dimstef's. 😂😂😂

[@allynonderdonk7577]

You need to buy a Brunton's Sigma drive. It saved my buddy 20k in costs associated with his drive train and engines. The things will save the cutlass bearing, engine bearings, stop a lot of vibration, will stop noise, will stop having to realign the engine. Basically the engine lasts longer, and all the other things down to the prop lasts longer. Go on here and serch for Prisim. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnzZdYymf8aUd7s

[@SailingABSea]

Interest piqued Allyn, we'll take a look. Thanks. 👍

[@kz4506]

You seem to have a lot of problems with that boat ,

[@SailingABSea]

To be fair A B Sea is 25 years old and although the previous owner was good at making her look pretty he was also good at sweeping the preventative maintenance under the carpet. The silver lining is that we're getting to know her inside out and doing a lot of preventative maintenance which should see us good for a few years on the major equipment side of things. Cheers.

[@davidjohnston6332]

This fixes the desiel bug purafiner.com

[@SailingABSea]

Not sure we could get a unit into Turkey and not sure where replacement filters could be purchased around the world.

[@davidjohnston6332]

@@SailingABSea Hi mate We supply product all over the globe no problem. Are you worried about customs?. We have been selling into the Middle East for 20 years. Are you looking at the Separ marine units per the website?.

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) David, I have questions that I'd prefer to ask in private, please email us at the address you'll find on our KZbin 'about' page. Thanks.

[@davidjohnston6332]

@@SailingABSea Hi Baz Thanks for your interest in our products. Please use the website contact email [e-mail] if you would like to make further enquiries. Thanks again for your interest and happy sailing. Regards David Johnston

[@dennisgrosen1815]

Aannsha just skip all those ours doing yoga. boat repairs is not called boat yoga for nothing :-)

[@SailingABSea]

You make a good point Dennis. Cheers. 👍