Diesel Fuel Cleaner

[lake norman 285]

I am fairly new to sailing and have a Hunter 285 with a 2GM20f.

About 6 weeks ago I filled up the tank with diesel to get it ready for the winter. I also added diesel fuel cleaner to the tank in order to drive off some of the water that probably accumulated over the summer and fall. I may have put in about 8 ounces of the stabilizer fluid versus the 2 ounces that I should have put in.

Ever since that time, I have noticed that my engine puts out a little more black exhaust than it used to. I recently changed the oil and filter on the engine; however don't see how that could have caused the increase in black smoke.

The engine is also a little harder to start when its cold and now requires that I give it a little gas when I didn't before. This is probably due to the colder weather but thought this would be good information to add.......

Can any of this be the result that I added too much fuel stabilizer to the gas tank?

Thanks for your help.

[rebel heart]

My $0.02:

There's no substitution or way around manually cleaning the tank. If it needs to be "polished", then it's because you have crap in your tank and it needs to be cleaned. There are agents you can add to help keep the tank cleaner, but the next time it gets really low, spend a half a day cleaning out the tank with some paper towels. It's not hard.

Directly answering your question, black smoke is usually due to a bad fuel/air mixture. Usually not enough air, or a dirty air inlet. Not sure if it's related to the extra stabilizer but it might be.

PS: Yanmar only recommends one biocide for their engines:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B002OFKE9Q

[lake norman 285]

Thanks Rebel Heart.

How can you tell if you have a problem with the mixing elbow? Any change in the exhaust color?

[meyermm]

Remove and inspect, it is a service item so why try to avoid and then you will be able to cross it off your list of jobs to do.

[svrodeorm]

after checking/cleaning the exhaust elbow - do one have to replace the gasket as a rule of thumb?

Can't recall ever seeing info on this...

[Chief Engineer]

Why put it together twice? Buy a gasket. I would only reuse a gasket "in extremis"

[meyermm]

agree