cleaning dirty diesel

[mjohnh]

I last filled my tank with diesel about 4 years ago. The boat has seen little use in the last 3 summers and the fuel likely has "growth".(the boat was very sluggish the one time it went out this summer) The marina recommends running the fuel through a filter (fuel polishing?). Has anyone done this? With what results? (I see little option other than this) I assume that the fuel filter(s) will need to be replaced. Where are they and is this difficult? (My marina doe very little work on diesel engine systems).

[catalina_mike]

Here is a good article about how to do it. https://theboatgalley.com/diy-fuel-polishing/ I have a friend who has a commercial system because he is a lubricant salesman (Lubrication Engineers) for his customers. However there is more than likely someone who works around the marinas who has made one. Basally a set of filters and proper treatment to kill whats growing in the tank first. I keep LE Full Torque additive in mine and will never have any issues.

[mjohnh]

Great...thank you.....I will look for the additive.

[Plastikosmd]

I wonder if u can send off a sample to see if it is ok before you spend $?

I got a dozer as a gift once, it sat for 20+ years
Drove it out and ran it on the fuel in the tank without issue.

[jleonard]

Changing fuel filters is easy, and it's a skill that you MUST learn as a diesel boat owner. And you must learn the signs that your engine will give you when the filters are getting plugged.
You should carry several spare filters aboard and any tools required to change them, Including a few ziplock bags to store the used ones if you have to change under way.
I'd run the boat and change the filters to see what they look like before I would blindly filter all the fuel. Just cause it's old doesn't mean it's bad.

[RobS]

Further to Jay's suggestions - upgrade your filter setup to multi stage or just add a bulk separator and then go boating. From that day forward you'll be polishing your fuel every day you use the boat.

[jleonard]

Further to Jay's suggestions - upgrade your filter setup to multi stage or just add a bulk separator and then go boating. From that day forward you'll be polishing your fuel every day you use the boat.

Here is my multi stage filtration setup. Not perfect I know but for illustration only.
Large Racor on left is 30 micron.
Dual Racor is 10 micron.
Then it goes to the on engine filter which is 7 micron.
I also included a "typical" 10 micron filter that I just changed out. It does not get very dirty in one season and close to 100 hours.

[mjohnh]

Thanks to all of you...I will have the fuel tested and change the filters. Then, have the fuel polished if necessary. That multi-filter set up is interesting but way beyond my pay grade in skill.......not sure where it could be placed in my 28TE....your boats are longer and, I assume, more space in the holds, etc......but, the filters are likely bad and should be chsnged. I can do that and will........