Is the dreaded Diesel Bug going to be a problem due to prolonged storage.

[WildBunch]

Having had a diesel boat, I used to treat the diesel to stop any microbial growth. Most boats were filled with red diesel & this was a potential problem due to large tanks & long term storage. I must admit I have not given it a thought with the motor home..... until today !
Due to the current lock down most of us will not be using our vans in the near future. What are the views on this. I normally fill up at the major supper markets for fuel. Will this fuel be treated to stop the bug or Is it advisable to add an additive. Is it OK to use these additives with a modern diesel 6 engine.
Currently I have the Hymer outside the house for a short shake down of all the systems. Unfortunately it has to go back into storage tomorrow.

 

[68c]

Good recent thread in 'Motorhomefun/Motorhome Chat/Diesel' by Wobblybob on this subject. Sorry cannot figure out how to do a link.

 

[TheHat]

hopefully this is link 68c was talking about https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/diesel-⛽️.217328/

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Unlikely to get Diesel bug in a plastic fuel tank

 

[Allanm]

The UK has been on lockdown for around a month. A lot of people lay their vans up for the Winter, probably 4 or 5 months, I wonder if any of them got diesel bugs or any other problems when they took them out of storage. ( apart from maybe a flat battery.)
I don’t think a few months of non use will cause any problems for the vast majority.

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[Madcaravanner]

From what I know of the bug - yes I get to play with a diesel narrow Boat normally just not at present

The more water there is in the fuel the more chance of bug growth and plastic tanks make no difference either a decent specialist fuel filter will clean it and remove the water too

Like this on fleabay ( http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=163981142084)

 

[Westbarn1]

Put some wynns fuel biocide in my tank yesterday

 

[old-mo]

Is the dreaded Diesel Bug going to be a problem due to prolonged storage.
...........................................

"No"........................... Keep the tank topped up to the brim which will give no room for condensation to hang from the roof of the inside of the tank..

More likely to get a bit of water in the fuel... and most if not all M-homes have a water trap... (I think.)

 

[The Green's]

I can't see it being an issue in motor-homes, but keeping the tank topped up, will reduce any condensation, therefore reduce water contamination which is pretty much key for the diesel bug growth, either bacterial or fungal.

I've used narrow boats and anecdotally it is an issue. I'd suggest the longer the fuel spends in the supply chain, the greater the risk, as the bugs have had time to grow to an appreciable level. Consider a boatyard's storage and refuelling, out of season, they will have virtually no turnover. A part filled tank, condensation forms excessively, water builds up, some growth over winter, then it warms up, lots of growth. (Year on year) That will never match the turnover of a garage forecourt where it would never have a chance to take hold which is where most of us buy fuel.

I should say that "as a rule" temperature has a significant effect on growth of most bacteria and fungi, so actually the risk over these warmer months is greater.

I found the following interesting, but then I did qualify in Microbiology, so have a slight interest!

http://www.hpcdfuel.com/pdf/DOWfuel_training.pdf

 

[PeteH]

Whilst it is unlikely it would be worth bearing in mind. Keeping the tank as full as possible is IMV the best short term answer.

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