Read on to learn about fuel contamination and how to prevent it!
Each job site has a silent saboteur. It is not a bad operator; it is not a worn-down hydraulic hose; its contamination is creeping into the fuel supply. The damage will begin long before the engine sputters, alarms flash, or a generator refuses to start up. By the time the symptoms show up, your equipment has already absorbed weeks, or maybe months, of slow and expensive harm. Read on to learn more!
Contamination Does Not Announce Itself
Fuel could look “clean” to the naked eye and still be riddled with microscopic issues. Diesel is especially vulnerable since it’s stored in tanks, transported through hoses, and exposed to any changing temperatures, every step creating chances for moisture, debris, and microbial growth to get in. The early stages of contamination aren’t visible. There is no smell, no color change, and no obvious indicator. Meanwhile, inside of your equipment, the clock is ticking. The first thing it will attack is your fuel system. Before an operator notices anything, contamination has already begun moving through the components that protect your entire engine. These include:
- Clogged filters: filters absorb the initial hit, and even slight water content or particulate matter will shorten the filter’s life dramatically. Plenty of operations do not catch this because filters are replaced right on schedule, not based on condition, so they never see any premature wear.
- Injector damage: diesel injectors are made with microscopic tolerances, and a handful of abrasive particles is enough to alter their spray patterns, reduce atomization, and force the engine to compensate with a much higher fuel consumption. This is not an overnight failure; it’s a slow drift towards inefficiency, which a lot of crews chalk up to “old equipment” or “heavy days on the job.”
- Water as the hidden threat: water enters fuel via condensation, loosened caps, aging tanks, and sloppy delivery. Small amounts create rust inside the tanks, corrosion in the fuel path, and perfect breeding conditions for microbial contamination. By the time the engine misfires, the colony has taken hold.
Partner with Howard Energy, Inc. for Alternative Fuel Supply and Services
We’ve moved! Howard Energy is now located at 34 Thomas Ave, Brooklyn, MD 21225.
At Howard Energy, we fully understand how your business depends on a reliable and steady supply of gasoline and diesel fuel to keep your operations at its peak. As a family-owned, commercial full-service gas and diesel fuel supplier, Howard Energy has been serving companies across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern VA for over 25 years.
Our team of experts has a thorough knowledge of the petroleum industry to devise commercial and retail fueling solutions. As a result, we use our keen insight to build strong partnerships with commercial trucking, construction, manufacturing companies, and more. Howard Energy is proud to bring our products and services to gas stations, car dealerships, marinas, and beyond – 7 days a week with no surcharge on holidays or weekends.
If you need cost-effective and convenient wholesale fuel and related fuel tank storage or monitoring services, contact us to get started. Call us at 410-647-1500, and visit our website. Stay connected with Howard Energy on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.