How to Maintain Diesel Fuel for Good Generator Care

Preventive Maintenance for Diesel Fuel

Customers sometimes ask us if bad diesel fuel can cause a problem with a generator. The answer? Absolutely! Ignoring fuel can spell doom for your commercial backup generator. Issues ranging from condensation to contamination can compromise your diesel fuel in ways that can ultimately cause your generator to malfunction completely. Fortunately, you can take measures such as fuel sampling and fuel polishing to identify quality issues with your diesel fuel before they become a bigger (and more expensive) problem.

Although we have found it’s rare for customers to experience total generator failures from bad diesel, there are plenty of companies that do not pay enough attention to their fuel quality and, in turn, increase the risk of their generator malfunctioning during a power emergency. Worst-case scenarios include an engine failure or a stop of the generator while it’s running – two issues that can lead to costly repairs.

Annual Testing of Diesel Fuel is Essential

What can you do? Simple. Include fuel sampling and fuel polishing in your preventive maintenance service appointments. That way, you are less likely to experience any unpleasant surprises during emergencies. How often should you test? At least once a year. And how often should you polish your diesel fuel? At least every three years.

If the fuel analysis shows exceptionally poor quality, you may have to draw the fuel out, clean the tank, and start with new diesel fuel.

For more information on generator care, request a service quote or give us a call at 1-800-899-3931

Learn more from Duthie Power Sales Engineer Peter Thornton in the video below: