Do you have a fleet of transportation vehicles or work with large machinery? Maybe you do a great deal of boating? If so, chances are you buy more diesel fuel than most. As such, you are well acquainted with how much it cost to keep these vehicles working and on the road. And while finding ways to save money is important, skimping on fuel quality is not wise. Unfortunately, not all diesel fuel is the same, and poor-quality fuel can end up costing you more in the long run.

Indicators or Poor Diesel Quality

• If your diesel trucks or equipment are working incorrectly, it may be due to poor diesel quality:
• Engine Light Comes On. Did a ‘check engine light’ come on but there is no discernable difference in how the vehicle is handling? Then there is a strong likelihood that you have used lower-grade diesel fuel.
• Clogged Fuel Filters. If the fuel filter has an abundance of dirt, sludge, or particles, it can be due to the fuel or corrosion from the fuel.
• Fuel Injector Nozzle Is Not Functioning. The fuel injector nozzle sprays fuel into the cylinder. This aids in piston compression and fuel combustion. It is a delicate process, and especially important to use the correct fuel. If the wrong fuel will cause soot to build up in the engine and create harmful exhaust emissions. Low-quality diesel contamination will wear down the injectors and lead to costly repairs.
• Black Smoke, Engine Knocks and Misfires. All these are symptoms of poor diesel quality, and if you notice them don’t delay in acting. Ignoring them can lead to expensive repairs.

What to Do About Fuel Contamination

How you approach the aftermath of poor diesel fuel may depend on the extent of the problem. Ideally, you want to correct the affect sooner rather later.

• Fuel Additives – Perhaps one of the most common and quickest approaches, using a fuel additive will prolong the stability of the fuel. You can purchase fuel additives such as AMSOIL Diesel All-In-One, AMSOIL Diesel Injector Clean + Cetane Boost , AMSOIL Diesel Cetane Boost , and AMSOIL Diesel Injector Clean in bulk from your local AMSOIL dealer, Buy Great Oil.
• Fuel Polishing – A process used to filter the fuel and remove any contaminates. It may be done with a mobile unit or with an automated fuel maintenance system.

Dealing with dirty diesel fuel is, unfortunately, par for the course when you have vehicles with diesel engines. However, with a bit of vigilance and intentional maintenance you can keep your fleet ready to go.