Making sure the best possible fuel is used by the fleet is one of the biggest responsibilities of fleet managers. The quality of the fuel is imperative in keeping the fleet in optimal operating condition. Because engines and fuel systems are becoming more sophisticated, it is more important now to use cleaner fuel than it ever was before.
Here are a few facts that fleet managers must know about fuel used by their fleet.
Water Is Always Going to Be A Problem
High pressure common rail fuel injection systems are very vulnerable when it comes to water damage. If there’s water in the fuel supply, it can create a lot of problems for the engine when regarding its performance and filtration system. There is a need for better separation in the fuel and the water. Fleet managers should make sure that there is a use of coalescing filtration. It’s a more advanced system for fuel filtration that can properly separate the water from the fuel so the water can be removed from the fuel with ease.
Choosing the Right Biodiesel Blend
Today, more fleets are using biodiesel. The increased usage of it puts the filtration systems through more stress than traditional diesel did. The additives from the glycerol chemical family present in biodiesel blends can become a problem source especially if the vehicles using them are operating in colder climates.
The glycerol content within biodiesel changes consistency into a waxy solid state that can sink to the bottom and get stuck in the fuel filtration system. It is also damaging when it settles in that state within the engine. The deposits are difficult to get rid of and corrosive for engines over a long period of time. Fleet managers should make sure that the biodiesel blend used by the fleet has low glycerol content in order to ensure less pressure on the filtration system.
Even the Smallest Contaminants Can Be Harmful
The HPCR fuel systems, which are used by modern diesel engines nowadays are much better at delivering diesel fuel. The problem is that because the modern diesel engines are sophisticated, they are also susceptible to damage from contaminants.
Fuel contamination can cause problems within the engine, which will initially lower engine efficiency, decrease potential mileage, and result in engine failure (if not checked and acted upon). This is why fleet managers should make sure the fuel storage practices do not allow any contaminants to enter the fuel before it is used.
