Spring Fuel Treatment: Maintenance Considerations
Importance of Year-Round Moisture Control
Proper tank and fuel maintenance is more important than ever for prevention of fuel related issues with modern engine designs. We all know of the issues that can arise due to cold weather, but there are also some very important issues to prevent in the spring as well. During the spring, we typically see large temperature swings in 24 hour periods that can lead to excessive build-up of moisture in fuel and storage tanks. Tanks that are not full and contain large volumes of open air are especially vulnerable to the build-up of moisture due to condensation on exposed surface areas.
All fuel can hold a certain amount of moisture in suspension, but when the limit is exceeded, moisture drops out and forms tank bottoms. Why is this concerning? Moisture can be the cause of several issues such as: microbial growth (commonly referred to as “bugs” or “algae”), icing, dilution of fuel, poor engine performance or damage, corrosion, rust, and more. Unfortunately, water separators and tank drainage are not realistic or effective solutions to prevent moisture issues on their own. Because of this, Fleet Core recommends the implementation of a moisture control plan to both identify and prevent large amounts of moisture from building up in fuel tanks. The use of moisture control agents throughout the year can prevent moisture build-up before it becomes a problem. In addition to this we have also developed moisture monitoring programs through our fuel laboratory that can identify problematic conditions before they become an issue.
Keep tanks full when possible to limit condensation
- Make sure that caps, seals, and vents are in good working order
- Monitor possible problematic tanks during times of large temperature variation through lab testing
- Store nozzles properly, keep tips clean
- Use Core Power premium diesel year round to prevent water bottom build up
