Diesel Fuel De-Bug Unit

Thanks Greg...

Tend to your view on this, but thought it worth investigating.

Cheers, Baz

Yes - most definitely. Have never rated algae as an issue but good to to get a review from everyone to get full spectrum of possible issues.

Algae always a problem with the pool but that typically contains no diesel :)

Cheers
Greg

If you have a poke around some of the cruiser boating forums I would say it would be a topic of discussion.
Most of these recreational boats carry minimum of 2000 litres with 4 to 6k litres not unusual

Roachie

Is 210 litres for 1000 km good economy.????

Cheers

21.0 per 100K = 4.76 K to the litre. Bit savage I would have thought. Maybe ok if there is a 3.5 K van in tow.

Thanks Roachie

And I have been inclined to that thinking, but it came across my desk, so to speak, so thought I would look into it.

As suggested, I don't think it is a big problem, and not something I have had an issue with in the past. "The Landy" has capacity for 250 litres of fuel, so a good range and opportunity to better plan fuel fills.

Cheers, Baz...

Lads..... I did say.... (quote): "so I can go well over 1,000klm between fills"......

I've only had it for a week and on the way home to Kadina (SA) from Gympie (Qld)....(via Narrandera and Mildura due to flooding up around Broken Hill), I only filled up at Nanango (Qld) and West Wyalong (NSW).

On both occasions I still had about 1/8 of a tank showing and the computer was telling me I still had a couple of hundred kilometers available fuel (but I don't trust computers in that regard).

The in-dash computer was telling me my consumption was in the high 14L/100 klm range (say 14.7). Bear in mind that although I wasn't towing anything, this rig was filled with ALL of the original suspension components (removed from the vehicle so that the Pro-Comp 6" lift could be fitted)....as well as the 6 original factory wheels and tyres. So I was running pretty heavy and the tyres are 35" diameter.....so I'm VERY happy with sub 15l/100klm.

Roachie

Aircraft tanks are usually drained after each flight and a LOT of water is usually present due to the temperature extremes during the flight. It is essential that this excess water be removed from the tanks.

Sorry I don't think so. They will take a sample from bottom of the tanks but I have never seen them drain the tanks.

Aircraft fuel tanks have 'sumps' incorporated for the collection of water and 'drains' where samples can be taken in order to remove all 'water' from the tanks.

You may have never seen them "drain the tanks" because they don't usually drain all the fuel from the tanks - the purpose of taking the samples is to remove water from the tank sump/s. The sample will provide a visual sample with water at the bottom of the sample jar. Water finding paste is used to prove that there is no water in the sample.

Wide body aircraft have a number of 'sumps' along the length of the wing/tanks. Flex in the wing during flight, and also inertia during turns/banks will have water moving from one area of the tank to another. Wide body aircraft typically vent their wing tanks to the opposite side to prevent fuel escape during turns.

Have a look at ... http://www.casa.gov.au/SCRIPTS/NC.DLL?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_90762

Thanks Tuco...I had a read.

And on aircraft fuel tanks; as a pilot in a previous life I can say that prior to flying our aircraft each day I took a sample from the bottom of the tank (water is heavier than Avgas) and continued to drain if water was present until the fuel was clear.

Large aircraft flying at altitude would do regularly.

If there was a drain suitable for purpose on the bottom of the vehicle fuel tank you could do similar.

Cheers, Baz - The Landy

Thanks guys, learn't from your post - never knew that

I understand that algae is more of an issue the further north (above the Tropic of Capricorn, is that true?

I carry 273L in my cruiser and try and keep it full

cheers

I've never had a problem up here in Mackay I usually go thru about 140 lts a month but in saying that how would I tell if I had an algae prob would my car stop running.

Tuco,
the way I read your post was the fuel tanks was drained. Glad you cleared that up.

Thanks Slow one - after re-reading my post I understand fully your being misled - sorry about that. I stuffed up ! lol.

cookie1 - Not sure that the distance north of the tropic has much relevance. Quite often Victoria and SA get hotter than Far North Qld. We were in Vic in January 2014 and saw 47°C many times - but we rarely see more than 35°C here in Cairns FNQ.

An ex pilot (The Landy) confirms here on this thread that it is usually temperature extremes in aviation that cause the regular build up of condensation in aircraft tanks. This can be as much as 40°C ambient tarmac temperature to as low as -50°C at altitude which is a 90°C range.
We never see temperature range like that with our vehicles on terra firma, but any variation can cause condensation. Just look what happens when you step out of the vehicle after having the air con blowing on your sunnies - same thing. But the condensate on your sunnies evaporates to the atmosphere, while in the fuel tank it usually collects clinging to the underside of the top of the fuel tank until there are sufficient droplets to make it fall through the fuel and settle on the bottom.

I worked in aviation refuelling for many years and am well aware of the dreaded "clad".

AHA, so I do need to be concerned about it, what is the recommended product for this? My biggest issue is that there is no separate filler for each tank so I need to be careful how I put it into the tank(s)

cheers

cookie1 - as previously posted, I use Chemtec on every fill. A 1 litre container is sufficient for 1000 litres of diesel. I usually buy in 1 litre containers for convenience, but it is available in larger quantities for better cost effectiveness.
There are other diesel conditioners out there - make sure you pick one that has a biocide as well as water pickup qualities.

Your 2 tanks with one filler may be a challenge. Once had a Toyota Surf to which I added an AUX tank - similar situation but I could access the 'Y' just below the fill cap.