Do You Think About What Happens To Fuel When A Vehicle Isn’t Used For A Period Of Time?
Within a lot of industries, vehicles such as marine vessels or even ordinary cars are often left standing for periods of time or are only used seasonally, meaning that the unused fuel is stored within these tanks for long periods of time. Ensuring that the fuel remains at a good quality is of great importance, otherwise, fuel ageing may take place, degrading the fuel and rendering it almost useless, certainly making it inefficient to use.
Fuel starts to age from the moment it is produced, due to environmental factors such as heat, oxygen and humidity. These factors are important to consider when leaving fuel in a tank or storage container over time, as most fuels contain ethanol. Ethanol binds itself to any water that appears within the tank, providing the perfect conditions for oxygenation and the growth of microbes, leading to fuel ageing.
Aged fuel often discolours, forms gums and other deposits, resulting in a deterioration in the ignition quality of the fuel itself. Once the fuel has aged it is irreversible and is accelerated by the addition of bio-components to the extent that fuels may only have a shelf life of 6-8 months. Once the fuel has degraded and formed deposits, it is ill-advised to try and use the fuel as it will cause damage to the engine and result in expensive repair work.
Five signs that the fuel in the tank has gone bad:
- Rotten Smell – due to sludge and the decaying microbes within the tank’s deposits, there will be a bad smell.
- Engine Stops Running – this will happen due to the internal combustion system being unable to generate the necessary power to sustain the demands on the engine.
- Abnormal Speed Changes – the user may notice sudden changes in the driving speed.
- Acceleration Issues – if the user steps on the accelerator pedal and the vehicle does not accelerate straight away then there is hesitation from the engine. The vehicle will either take a few seconds longer to respond or won’t at all.
- Trouble Starting Engine – due to foreign components contaminating the fuel due to the ageing process, then the engine will either struggle to start or not start at all.
This problem can be prevented by using FAST exocet®’s Fuel Store Plus fuel additive. It has been formulated to protect fuels and fuel systems where fuel is stored for long periods of time due to infrequent use. It delays the symptoms associated with fuel ageing and also provides anti-corrosion and biocidal properties to help keep fuel optimal for longer, extending its shelf life by up to 12 months.
What Does Fuel Store Plus Do?
- Delays discolouration and solidification of fuel
- Prevents microbial growth and infestations (diesel bug)
- Extends shelf life
- Reduces the potential of blockages within the engine
- Maintains fuel ignition quality
If you would like more information about Fuel Store Plus, Diesel Bug or would like to order a sample of our products, speak to our specialist technical team on 01743 761415 or email info@fastexocet.co.uk
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