Diesel fuel

[Brian]

Thiis may be a silly question but this is my first year with the boat. Is the diesel fuel that is sold at service stations for cars and trucks the same grade of fuel as we use in our boats? I am going to top off my Cape Dory 27's fuel tank for the winter and it would be much easier to get it from a service station as the boat is now on land. But I don't want to use fuel that's not the proper grade or purity.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Dave Olson]

Thiis may be a silly question but this is my first year with the boat. Is the diesel fuel that is sold at service stations for cars and trucks the same grade of fuel as we use in our boats? I am going to top off my Cape Dory 27's fuel tank for the winter and it would be much easier to get it from a service station as the boat is now on land. But I don't want to use fuel that's not the proper grade or purity.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Use number one diesel and a diesel fuel stabilizer. Put in only the amount that the label indicates. Too much causes a build-up on the injector. Use the search function on this board for further information. Congratulations on your new boat!
Dave



102065.2666@Compuserve.com

[Al Levesque]

Is the diesel fuel that is sold at service stations for cars and trucks the same grade of fuel as we use in our boats?

I believe that the fuel sold at marinas is exempt from the tax required for road use and therefore has the red dye included. I have also read (unverified) that marina fuel might not be as reliable as that sold for road use. This could possibly be due to lower volume of sales. I have also heard that heating oil does not have the same controls applied and that fuel sold in marinas could possibly be that intended for heating.

We have used marina and road fuel interchangeably for the last two years and have not seen a difference (except in price.) OTOH our usage level is so low as to be a poor measure.

I hope we hear from others that are more knowledgable on the subject.

Al



levesquealbert@netscape.net

[Bill Gold]

I, too, am in the first year of boat ownership, and was concerned about the diesel fuel I was adding to my tanks. Here is what I have heard around the Portland, OR area, for what it's worth.

I'm working part time at the St. Helens (OR) marina and I asked the captain of a Corps of Engineers survey boat about the quality of fuel up and down the Columbia River. He told me that #2 diesel is what is generally available, and that they fuel at marinas where there is a good quantity of fuel sold.

I'm also taking a class in small diesel engine maintenance at Portland Community College. The class is taught by a well-respected diesel mechanic with many years experience in the area. He says you don't need to add anything but a biocide with each fillup, since there are already many additives in the fuel. It does lose its cetane rating (power) when stored for long periods (less time in warmer climates).

The diesel we sell has a red dye added, indicating it is exempt from certain taxes levied as a penalty for air pollution (trucks, etc).
We sell for $1.25 per gallon, with discounts for volume fillups.

Anyone disagree?



billgold@hotmail.com

[sam]

Why not go to the Shell, Mobil, Exxon etc web page and ask them. I did that a year ago with a question about CD grade engine oil and got a reply from 2 of the 3 companies I asked. The answer would surely be 'from the horses mouth' and not second hand. If you do be sure to post the answers!!

[George Probolus]

Thiis may be a silly question but this is my first year with the boat. Is the diesel fuel that is sold at service stations for cars and trucks the same grade of fuel as we use in our boats? I am going to top off my Cape Dory 27's fuel tank for the winter and it would be much easier to get it from a service station as the boat is now on land. But I don't want to use fuel that's not the proper grade or purity.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

For the past 12 years I have used #2 diesel from a truck stop to top off the tank. The truck stop was on the way to the yard,I would suggest any gas station that has high diesel volume business. For winter storage I added STORE & START,WEST MARINE or BOATS US etc, this keeps the cetane rating up over the winter, next some MARVEL MYSTERY oil, keeps the injectors clean(I use this during the season 2 oz/10 gallons) lastely a bio stabalizer to stop fungus growth. Never had any problems with fuel or injectors.
As regards to engine oil look carefully at SAE 30 the rating system has changed so the diesel approved oils now complys with DETROIT DIESEL,CUMMINGS,CAT...,FORD&MERCEDES specs.

[Gordon Reed]

Thiis may be a silly question but this is my first year with the boat. Is the diesel fuel that is sold at service stations for cars and trucks the same grade of fuel as we use in our boats? I am going to top off my Cape Dory 27's fuel tank for the winter and it would be much easier to get it from a service station as the boat is now on land. But I don't want to use fuel that's not the proper grade or purity.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

For the past 12 years I have used #2 diesel from a truck stop to top off the tank. The truck stop was on the way to the yard,I would suggest any gas station that has high diesel volume business. For winter storage I added STORE & START,WEST MARINE or BOATS US etc, this keeps the cetane rating up over the winter, next some MARVEL MYSTERY oil, keeps the injectors clean(I use this during the season 2 oz/10 gallons) lastely a bio stabalizer to stop fungus growth. Never had any problems with fuel or injectors.
As regards to engine oil look carefully at SAE 30 the rating system has changed so the diesel approved oils now complys with DETROIT DIESEL,CUMMINGS,CAT...,FORD&MERCEDES specs.

George, It's nice to know your still around and shareing your knowlage! Regards, Gordon





greed@clinic.net

[Stephen Forcella]

Thiis may be a silly question but this is my first year with the boat. Is the diesel fuel that is sold at service stations for cars and trucks the same grade of fuel as we use in our boats? I am going to top off my Cape Dory 27's fuel tank for the winter and it would be much easier to get it from a service station as the boat is now on land. But I don't want to use fuel that's not the proper grade or purity.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

For the past 12 years I have used #2 diesel from a truck stop to top off the tank. The truck stop was on the way to the yard,I would suggest any gas station that has high diesel volume business. For winter storage I added STORE & START,WEST MARINE or BOATS US etc, this keeps the cetane rating up over the winter, next some MARVEL MYSTERY oil, keeps the injectors clean(I use this during the season 2 oz/10 gallons) lastely a bio stabalizer to stop fungus growth. Never had any problems with fuel or injectors.
As regards to engine oil look carefully at SAE 30 the rating system has changed so the diesel approved oils now complys with DETROIT DIESEL,CUMMINGS,CAT...,FORD&MERCEDES specs.

George, It's nice to know your still around and shareing your knowlage! Regards, Gordon