[echocae]

Hi guys.. i just wondering.. is anyone of u guys know that bacteria/fungus colony can live and breed in diesel?.. if u guys know about this...
can any one know what is the best bactericide for diesel? and also.. every how many KM's that the diesel need to be treated with this bactericide?

thx

[TheBunyip]

Hi Echocae,

First I am NO expert. However like you I have an interest in such contamination of Diesel Fuel. I am sure that you too will have Googled on the subject. It left me concerned to find out more. Marine Diesel seems to be where the main problem occurs rather than the Automotive field. But I do not think we Diesel drivers are immune.

I had an email exchange with BP in the UK. They reckoned that I could ignore the problem in cars that used reasonably fresh fuel. (That was my interpretation of the understandably guarded wording of their replies.) My research into the kind of treatments available led me to conclude that the biggest customer might well be the Diesel Distribution system itself. I read some interesting case studies on a website of one of the treatment producers. Tried but can't find them again. Drat!!

Additives are sold to Yacht and other boat owners in some quantity. . If you trawl the forums frequented by the boating fraternity you can expect to come across questions such as Has anyone used...xx etc., I found discussions on what kind of product works best. One fairly popular type seems to be the enzyme based products such as "Starbrite Star Tron Diesel Additive" see. http://mystarbrite.com/startron/content/view/94/124/lang,en/ Australian sales here.. http://www.sunworld.net.au/starbrite/sproductdetaila26b.html?ID=1163

More info about another product and some info on Diesel Bugs here. http://www.silmid.com/biobor/biocide.htm

Another approach uses Magnetic Filtration on the Fuel Filter.

OK I accept that there are probably more scams claiming to cure all the ills of the world with magnets than we have had "Hot Dinners" but this seems worth looking at. Test results from the American SAE on Magnetic Filtration and articles by respected Australian 4X4 Journalists prompts me to consider this one carefully.

Take a look at http://www.filtermag.com/fuelsys.php and for additional information on Magnetic Filtration for the Oil System you can explore the rest of the site. An Australian Distributor can be contacted here. http://www.camtechcams.com.au/~cam13680/

My position. Well I do not think that I need to add Diesel treatment in my UK Diesel but I would consider the Fuel Filter Magnets even though I know it makes me a "laughing stock" in the eyes of a few that I regard as "Know Alls". It might not do much good but I would be interested to slice open a Fuel Filter fitted with a Magnetic Filter after it reached normal replacement lifespan. I suspect that only those who, like me, intend own a Diesel car for a considerable time will really benefit.

It might be worth searching for some 4X4 Forums to pick up on the experiences of those who take their Diesels to places that cannot guarantee Fresh Fuel.

[Dazzler]

Hi again Bunyip... I don't drill down as much as you do but I'm sure we all appreciate your considered and well worded contributions...

[TheBunyip]

Hi Again,

Browsing the AU 4X4 Forums proved illuminating. Seems they do  run into trouble with HUMbugs (Algae contamination) in Australia. So maybe Australian i30 Diesel owners might benefit from taking preventative action.

Thanks to  those forums I have found an alternative Magnetic Diesel Fuel treatment device for you . It is called a De-Bug and was developed in New Zealand about 20 years ago. It is used world wide and is available in Australia.  It works by inserting a device containing magnets into the Fuel Line. A more direct method than the  FilterMAG system.

The Australian web site promoting it has some good info on HUMbugs here http://www.morison.com.au/contamination.htm

There are also some articles on some serious testing in an Australian 4X4 as well as other information here. http://www.morison.com.au/clippings.htm The pdf of the original article is also available for download from the end of this post. Browsing the site will turn up a huge amount of information (Mainly Marine as expected) on successful case studies that convincingly demonstrate the effective use of magnetism to clean up contaminated Diesel Fuel.

Whilst this device appears to have a good track record it looks to be more  expensive than the American FilterMAG product.

Assuming you can find a steel In Line Diesel fuel filter on your i30 that you can get at easily it should be a simple DIY installation. for the FilterMAG.  The De-Bug device needs to be inserted into the Fuel Line and that is a bit more of a performance for the DIY types amongst us. Without access to a Workshop Manual locating the Fuel Filter could turn out to be a bit of a task..... Unless someone like Thumper has already found its location and could be persuaded to post a photograph to help others find it (Yes that is a Hint   ).

Hope this helps.