Indonesian Fuel help please

[wheels 543]

I have friends bringing a Boat down from Indonesia right now. They had water in the fuel problems and after bleeding fresh fuel through, needed to fill the tanks again. So they called into Dabo and filled up. They are not sure what was put in the tank. The guy called it Solar, or at least that was the way he pronounced it, bit no idea of actual spelling. Apparently it is black and smells a little like Tar. But after a short time of runnong, the engine stopped and know they can not fire it up. So they are heading back to Singapore to get ot looked at. 
Does anyone know what this stuff could be??

[Black Panther 1,591]

Google translate says it is diesel fuel, go figure.

[Island Time 1,239]

Yep, Solar is the local word for diesel. Colors, quality and cleanliness is very variable. Water is pretty common. Before putting this in your tanks, strain it with a water separating filter.  Take plenty of spare filters and check your water traps frequently. Basic precautions, required in much of the world.

 

Diesel/Solar in Indonesia is very cheap (government subsidised), which is just as well, as there is not much wind!

 

If it was not strained and filtered before putting it in the tank, likely the motor won't go as it has a blocked filter, or the water trap is full. Easy to fix either way, no need to turn back!

[wheels 543]

Thanks IT.

[Island Time 1,239]

Wheels, if they are stuck somewhere. I have a few contacts who can help, including Raymond Lesmana, who runs sail Indonesia, and has lots of experience helping yachts all over the country, and has the ear of the government. Let me know if your friends need any help and I'll pass over Raymond's contact details.... he'd be happy to help. his job is promoting Indonesia to sailors...

[wheels 543]

Thanks again IT. I have passed on all the info. I will let you know the results when I hear back.

[erice 732]

sounds like marine diesel as used by the big ships 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_diesel_oil

 

which seems to be a less refined/cheaper diesel

 

big engine have bigger tolerances and so are less picky about what they need?

 

• MDO (Marine diesel oil) - A blend of heavy gasoil that may contain very small amounts of black refinery feed stocks, but has a low viscosity up to 12 cSt so it need not be heated for use in internal combustion engines

[Kevin McCready 83]

So if MDo was all that was available, could you have processed it to make it work in yacht diesel engine?

[erice 732]

afaik

 

just needs some serious filtering

 

i guess that's why you should cruise with LOTS of filters

 

and maybe a meter of muslin, a funnel + a bucket 

[Island Time 1,239]

Solar is Bahasa (Indonesian) for diesel. It is not heavy fuel oil.

The issues are that it is often stored in (old, rusty) 44 gallon drums, sometimes open to the environment. It is very often contaminated - the drums are old and dirty, regularly there is foreign matter and water. Colour varies quite a bit. Use a water separator filter before putting it into your tanks, and carry lots of filters. Check you water traps daily. It's fine to use, and costs about $0.45c a litre.

 

The other point to note, is that they will measure it out, normally with 1 litre scoops. Your average "20" litre plastic jerrycan will often hold up to about 25ltrs in this climate. Many cruisers think they are being short changed, but it fact the 20ltrs is a nominal capacity only, and, in the heat of the tropics, especially in the sun, the plastic jerrycans hold quite a bit more...