Fuel additives for winter storage

[major hattitude]

Hi putting my boat with Detroit’s in winter storage wondering what additives
are recommended all advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Hat43c1981]

I actually have the same question. First winter owning our Hatt. Wondering what fuel stabilizers everyone uses and suggests. Thanks in advance.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I use PowerService Diesel Kleen at every fill up. I think a Cetane booster and lubricity additive like that has some benefits since the new ULSD has less lubricity than what these engines were designed to burn. Other than that, I don't add anything.

 

[Dan Mapes]

Way back when in college I co-op'd for G.E. and the word in the shop was that diesel is far more stable than gasoline. Anyway all I ever added, and on a regular basis was a biocide. Unless I filled with ValvTect diesel at the pump.

 

[whoover]

I put Lucas treatment in the tanks to the recommended amount, tanks are usually nearly full. I then drain the racors and secondary filters and fill them all with a mix of 50% diesel, 25% SAE 30 and 25% Lucas treatment. Then the engines are run for one minute to get it into the PT pump and injectors. These are cummins engines and the process was recommended to me by a retired cummins mechanic who is very familiar with them.

Walt Hoover

 

[oscarvan]

I use PowerService Diesel Kleen at every fill up. I think a Cetane booster and lubricity additive like that has some benefits since the new ULSD has less lubricity than what these engines were designed to burn. Other than that, I don't add anything.

Fuel manufacturers are supposed to include additives to make up for the lost lubricity. Independent field studies have shown they are not always doing that as needed. Power Service Diesel Kleen is now, after decades of denying the need for any additives, the only additive approved by Cummins. This is an issue in the RV world I play in.

That said, the part most affected by the reduced lubricity is the delicate fuel injection pump. Which we don't have.....(If you're running a DD)

I don't add anything while running. An anti gel additive would be indicated when operating in single digits. I do NOT plan on that. As far as a stabilizer, I plan to lay up for maybe three or four months with full tanks. Don't think I need to do anything there either.

 

[Boatsb]

I've the optilube. Its better for lubriicity and for my area the summer blend is great. Mostly cutaneous boost and lube..they have stuff for winters too.

 

[Lmcruiser]

I have used different additives before. Stabil, Valvtec and with the change to low sulfur fuel I used Marvel Mystery Oil in a trawler with Perkins 6-354s for the injection pump. Never any fuel problems and storing the boats in Michigan and Wisconsin for the winters. I am now using Star Tron. I have used in my last two boats one with Volvo’s and now with my current boat with DD 6-71 TIBs. I am usually able to buy my fuel from Marinas with Valvtec in fuel.

 

[Avenger]

I use PowerService Diesel Kleen at every fill up. I think a Cetane booster and lubricity additive like that has some benefits since the new ULSD has less lubricity than what these engines were designed to burn. Other than that, I don't add anything.

Exactly.

I think I'm going to have to keep a copy of the fuel quality rant to paste when this comes up again,.. and again,... and again.

Fuel quality in the US since the ULSD standard was implemented is marginal at best. A lubricity and cetane booster is necessary for proper performance and longevity of your engine and fuel system. But no, you don't need a stabilizer for winter layup.

Fuel manufacturers are supposed to include additives to make up for the lost lubricity. Independent field studies have shown they are not always doing that as needed. Power Service Diesel Kleen is now, after decades of denying the need for any additives, the only additive approved by Cummins. This is an issue in the RV world I play in.

Even if they do additize the fuel to meet the current standard it is still inadequate. Engine manufacturers will not admit that their engine's life and performance will be compromised by commonly available fuels, but fuel injection manufacturers will tell you that. Believe whichever you want.

That said, the part most affected by the reduced lubricity is the delicate fuel injection pump. Which we don't have.....(If you're running a DD)

That's right, you don't have "a" delicate injection pump in your Detroit,... you have eight. Or however many cylinders you have. Unit injectors are injection pumps. Most other engines have nozzle holders which are commonly mis-referred to as injectors.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

That's right, you don't have "a" delicate injection pump in your Detroit,... you have eight. Or however many cylinders you have. Unit injectors are injection pumps. Most other engines have nozzle holders which are commonly mis-referred to as injectors.

Precisely. And it’s a bitch to figure which injection pump is the problem on a Detroit.

 

[car54]

Diesel kleen every tank, and some biocide added to the last fill of the season. Nothing else needed (even what I’m doing may be considered overkill, and probably is but makes me feel better)

 

[Glory]

Why would you start caring more about your, fuel, engine, injectors or any part more in the winter. You should take care of that stuff all year long.

 

[Boatsb]

Cause thats when you run the boat to get to the travel lift.

Spring is the return trip. Some do monthly runs for pumpouts too.

 

[whoover]

In my case its to keep everything lubricated during winter layup. I have had two broken rocker levers from a stuck injector. Ive also had minor PT pump corrosion. My "hot mix" keeps everything loose for the five months that it is sitting.

Walt Hoover

 

[rsmith]

Thinking of winterizing which I no longer do. Back when my dad had the 34 we left it in the water in NJ one year so we could use it for Cod in January. Some genius talked the old man into plugging the exhaust since being in the water all that damp air would travel up the exhaust and into the engines. Bad idea I guess it became a steam bath in there from the residual water in the exhaust and both engines had the valve trains frozen when we tried to turn them over in the spring.on a positive note it did push him into repowering with the Cats.

 

[Doug.T]

Hi putting my boat with Detroit’s in winter storage wondering what additives
are recommended all advice would be greatly appreciated

I've been using Biobor since 2013 with no problems, and I don't use a lot of fuel. One bottle easily does both tanks.

 

[whoover]

I bar my engine over in the spring just to make sure. Turning it over by hand will tell me if there are any issues. I have rebuilt both engines and don't need and more problems.

Walt Hoover

 

[oscarvan]

I bar my engine over in the spring just to make sure. Turning it over by hand will tell me if there are any issues. I have rebuilt both engines and don't need and more problems.

Walt Hoover

I can probably figure it out, but how do you bar the DD V's?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

A 1-5/16” socket on a breaker bar and 3 or 4’ of pipe will do it.