BLOCKED FUEL FILTERS
A common problem with diesel engines is the blocking of the fuel filters, often in combination with accelerated wear of the injectors and shorter service life of the fuel pump.
In most cases this cannot be explained.
In many cases the cause turns out to lie in the petrol of diesel oil used.
This may be contaminated with micro-organisms such as moulds, yeasts and bacteria.
Contamination may be caused by:
A. The more advanced cracking techniques in the petrochemical industry.
B. The addition of modern additives. These are needed for current engines to work properly. They also contain nutrients for micro-organisms
C. The presence of water in petrol or diesel oil.
The main cause of micro-organisms is the presence of water in petrol or diesel oil. A few ppms (parts per million) can already be sufficient for bacterial growth.
An important source of water is condensation in the fuel tanks or an engine with gas oil cooled injectors.
Water is necessary for the growth of micro-organisms.
Their development is impossible without water.
Even though the micro-organism may well be statically present in (water-free?) fuel, it cannot develop without water.
Modern diesel engines are often fitted with a water separator, but even that only partly solves the problem.
If the water in the petrol or diesel oil is contaminated with micro-organisms, the growth of aerobic bacteria will start.
These can only develop in the presence of oxygen.
Aerobic bacteria can form slimy lumps and flocs in the fuel.
These lead to blocking of the fuel filters.
If there is no more oxygen in the fuel, or if the oxygen is screened off by, for example, sludge, so-called anaerobic bacteria, or SRBs (Sulphate Reducing Bacteria) are formed.
The excretion product of this group of micro-organisms is a very aggressive acid that literally dissolves metal.
This can have disastrous effects on, for example, the injectors and/or fuel pumps, while the tanks can also be severely corroded with all the consequences that that can bring.
HOW CAN THIS DAMAGE BE PREVENTED?
A. Use the correct amount of Acticide CMG for each bunkering.
B. If possible, removing all the water using a drain, the growth of micro-organisms is not possible without water.
C. Cleaning the whole gas oil system with chemicals and repeating this annually.