Tip 3…

Water in Fuel

The greatest enemy of diesel fuel injection components is water.  Once the water enters the system, it will rapidly wear and oxidize steel components and lead to:

• Rusting and corrosion of components
• Governor/metering component failure
• sticky metering components (both pump and nozzle)
• Injection component wear and seizure.

Water contamination can exists in diesel fuel in three forms:

1. Emulsified water, where the water is suspended in the fuel like oil and vinegar.
2. Free water, where the water is separated from the fuel and usually found on the bottom of the fuel/storage tanks.
3. Dissolved water, where the water has been chemically dissolved in the fuel, like sugar in liquid. *The warmer the fuel, the more water will be dissolved, but as temperatures drop, the water will come out of the solution in the form of free water.

Free or emulsified water must be removed from the fuel to prevent corrosion and damage to the fuel system.  The best way to do this is with a Stanadyne Fuel Manager filter incorporating a water separator.  Be wary of certain additives which claim to “remove water.”  In fact, they dissolve the water, which eventually will pass through the filter and attack the injection components. Stanadyne additives demulsify the water, pulling it out of solution so the filter/water separator can more effectively remove it.

What Is A Diesel Vehicle?

A diesel vehicle uses an engine that has a different combustion cycle than a gasoline engine. In a gasoline engine, fuel is mixed with air, drawn into the cylinder, and ignited by a spark plug. In a diesel, air is drawn into the cylinder and compressed first without fuel present. This compression heats the air to such a high temperature that when fuel is then injected into the cylinder, it combusts. By using higher compression ratios and higher combustion temperatures, diesels operate more efficiently. As a result, diesel vehicles attain better fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts. In addition, a gallon of diesel fuel contains about 10 percent more energy than a gallon of gasoline. These two factors help modern diesels achieve roughly 50 percent higher fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel vehicles now account for nearly half of all new vehicle sales in Europe, and a small but growing market share in the US.

Diesel Benefits

1. Higher fuel economy (20-40 percent more than gasoline)
2. Diesel engines last longer, and fetch higher resale values
3. Diesel engines can be run on biofuel (biodiesel)
4. Diesels provide greater torque; great for rapid acceleration and towing
5. Driving range on a tank is longer

Diesel Drawbacks

1. Diesel fuel is more expensive in the US (In Europe, it’s taxed less heavily.)
2. Few models are available with a diesel engine
3. Diesel fuel is available at about half of all service stations
4. Diesel vehicles are usually more expensive
5. Particulate matter and NOx tailpipe emissions are usually higher

From: http://www.hybridcars.com/diesel-efficient-cars

Tip 1:

Fuel quality issues can be addressed by using a quality fuel additive, such as Standyne’s Performance Formula, which helps protect against excessive wear and corrosion while increasing both power and fuel economy.  Performance Formula also has ingredients to help prevent the fuel from gelling in cold weather.

Stanadyne Lubricity Formula is specifically designed to restore optimum lubricating properties to “winter blend” and other “dry” fuels such as kerosene and Jet A.

Check back tomorrow for tip 2; when I dissect fuel filtration.

Diva….Out!

FASS—-Fuel Air Separation System

 FASS has patented a process that removes air/vapor with 1 efficient method.  The process allows for more consistent fuel pressure to be maintained while providing the ability to use more of the fuel filter capacity.  

The mass volume return of the FASS continually “polishes” the fuel as all of the fuel exiting has passed through the fuel filter. The FASS polishes the fuel at the GPH rating of your fuel pump this giving your fuel injection system the cleanest fuel possible. The more time the fuel passes through the filter the cleaner the fuel. 

The benefits of FASS

• Reduces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide ~~Helps you are trying to be more green, and who isn’t these days.
• Increases injector life/dependability ~~Injectors can be pretty expensive and timely to install. Southwest diesel can help you by doing the installation or proving you with an installation manual.
• Increase horsepower~~More Power
• Increase torque~~More Power
• Increase fuel mileage (conservative drivers) ~~More going green help not to mention the money that you could possibly save. You like saved money, right?
• Consistant engine performance  i.e -Hot vs Cold fuel. 
• Excellent cold weather performance  ~~With the ridiculous cold front covering most of the country, it would be nice to have a vehicle that performs good regardless of the temps. Now get yourselves to work.

If you want to save some money, get more power and be green;

Upgrade today, get your fuel air separation system-FASS.  Southwest Diesel & Electrical would be happy to answer all your fuel air separation questions.  Please contact us at 800-658-5806 or email us at esales@swdiesel.com

Information came from FASSride.com and their brochures.