Katakalousse Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 After taking ownership of Katakalousse, her port side fuel tank split and all the diesel from both tanks ended up in the hull, along with Debris from years and waste matter from a split toilet to boot (just my luck). New tank fitted and now to replace 250 gallons of diesel I've been told locally (Brundall) that the cost of red is only slightly cheaper than white from normal supermarkets and that red is a rougher diesel due to being for agriculture, and if I can afford to fill her with white it would be better for her in the long run. Any thoughts on this matter would help me greatly as after running back and forth with 4 x 20l fuel cans I'm now about the 50gallon mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBA Marine Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 It would depend on the engine, nice and new and it will be happy on white, old engines like the heavy fuel, you can do a lot of research and there are posts on here regarding the FAME content of the fuel, If its a old Perkins BMC or similar putting in a litre of 2 stroke oil in the tank when you fill up puts back some lubrication that the old engines like. If you have a webasto or like, then the more refined the fuel the better, to stop it coking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katakalousse Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 Thanks Mark, none the wiser lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbird Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 I don't know anyone who uses white diesel in their boat. As for the statement that red is only slightly cheaper than white, that's poppycock. The last time I filled up, at Titchmarsh Marina on the Walton Backwaters, I paid £1.10 per litre. On the Broads, Goodchilds are usually the cheapest (I think at around £1.18 though I haven't filled up there this year so far). Both these costs are based on the 60/40 split, and are considerably cheaper than the £1.40ish that white diesel will cost you from the roadside pumps. If you are buying 600 litres, that makes a saving of around £130!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katakalousse Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 Thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbird Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 No problem! By the way, really sorry to hear about the diesel/poo cocktail in the bilges! I bet that took some serious cleaning up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katakalousse Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 You wouldn't believe how long it took to clean it all out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlesprite Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 40 years ago (ok I admit I'm getting old) I used to work for a petrol company, diesel and gas oil (denatured diesel, red diesel the names were endless) were both the same except for the red die used to "prevent" use as a road fuel. Things may have changed since then but it's unlikely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katakalousse Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 Thank Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockham Admiral Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 We had reams on this topic a couple of years ago and the one thing that sticks in my mind is the problem if you use white ( bio) diesel. It can eat through your old pipes which aren't designed for it. Also quite costly to replace them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockham Admiral Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 40 years ago (ok I admit I'm getting old) I used to work for a petrol company, diesel and gas oil (denatured diesel, red diesel the names were endless) were both the same except for the red die used to "prevent" use as a road fuel. Things may have changed since then but it's unlikely.In fact, Martin, they were markedly different in sulphur content until recently. Then the government in its quest for an ever greener planet had the manufactures clean red diesel up. A great advantage for those of us with diesel heaters! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExUserGone Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Bear in mind the levels of technology and costs of modern farm equipment and you'll soon see if red diesel was so rough no farmer would let it near his new tractor, they don't use rattly old perkins diesels anymore, usually much higher performance engines than you'll find in any family saloon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katakalousse Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 Thank you everybody for your input, I shall now get my barrels and go to Brooms for some red and save some money : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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