Diesel Bug and All You Need to Know About It
Posted on: 24 February 2022
Faulty or contaminated fuel systems are among the top reasons your marine diesel engine may break down at some point. Therefore, proper maintenance can save you from regular lifeboat call-outs when you are out in the water. Typically, marine diesel engine maintenance involves several aspects. One way to take proper care of your marine diesel engine is to understand the problems you are likely to encounter and identify appropriate ways to avoid or solve them early enough. Diesel bug is one of the standard issues you will likely face.. Here is all you need to know about it.
What It Is
Diesel bug is a marine diesel problem associated with contaminated fuel. It collectively refers to all the contaminants found in your diesel. These contaminants may include microbial bacteria, mould, algae, fungi, etc. Generally, these contaminants may find their way into your marine diesel tank or system when filling your boat. They can also emerge from air or water. Usually, diesel engine boats and other marine vessels tend to have a condensation problem because most of them don't have vapour pressure to act against condensation, as with their petrol counterparts. Therefore, as your marine tank cools, the air being drawn back inside may result in condensation on the walls. Leaks, loose caps and tubes, etc., are other issues that may cause water and air to get inside your marine fuel tank, causing corrosion, rust, microbial germination, and other problems that collectively form diesel bugs.
Why You Should Care About It
Ignoring or overlooking diesel bugs can leave you with more severe and costlier problems down the line. That's because these contaminants can cause several issues in your marine diesel fuel system and even the engine. For instance, fuel tank corrosion, blocked filters, fuel injector blockages, fuel quality issues (resulting in reduced performance, poor fuel economy, etc.), premature wearing of cylinder liners and rings, and engine failure are some of the problems you may encounter when your boat has diesel bug.
How To Prevent/Deal with It
You can prevent diesel bugs in many ways. First, ensure you use proper quality diesel when fueling your boat. Therefore, do some due diligence when looking for a place to source diesel for your boat. You can also use treatments like diesel stabilisers, particularly when storing your fuel or when your boat is about to sit idle for quite some time, like in winter. It would also help to ensure your fuel tank is always full, especially when you don't intend to use your boat for some time. Doing this can help reduce the space in your tank for condensation to occur. Regular fuel testing can also come in handy in identifying quality issues. If you already have a diesel bug in your marine diesel, you may need to pump it out to prevent more damage to other components.
Learn more about marine diesel services near you today.
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