The most frequent signals of fuel contamination in a trawler are clogged filters, and reduced engine performance. However, the lack of these circumstances does not necessarily suggest that your diesel fuel plunger is not contaminated. In fact, it is probable that every trawler’s fuel is moderately contaminated. Consequently, you may never recognize that you have a diesel fuel contamination problem until the fuel is agitated in some way.

Moisture can get into trawler fuel storage tanks in different ways, by condensation of humid outside air, during transport from refineries to distributors, by leakage through faulty fill hoses or vents and by careless handling.

Water can cause injector nozzle and pump corrosion, microorganism growth and fuel filter plugging with materials resulting from the corrosion or microbe growth. In cold northern winters, ice formation in fuels containing water produces severe fuel line and filter plugging problems. Regularly getting rid of the water is the most effective means of preventing this problem. However, small amounts of alcohol may be used on an emergency basis to preclude fuel line and filter freeze-ups.

Regular diesel fuel filter exchanges and the expensive and time consuming project of cleaning diesel fuel tanks have become standard routine maintenance instead of waiting for a warning signal for diesel engine failure. Since diesel fuel is inherently unstable, solid matters begin to take shape and the gathering tank sludge will finally clog your diesel fuel filters, maybe ruin your injectors and cause diesel engines to smoke.

Diesel Fuel stored in trawler DLLA138S1191 tanks for long periods requires special care. This diesel suffers from multiple problems that influence its quality. The presence of free water supplies the platform for microbiological growth that results in the formation of slime and acids inducing corrosion of metal surfaces such as storage tanks, pumps and injectors. Neglected water layer will entrap sludge and become the breeding ground for microbes, fungus, yeast and more. The toxic mix produces acids that compromise the integrity of your storage tank, lines, pumps, fittings and worse, diesel machinery.

Another crucial factor leading to diesel deterioration is mechanical stress created by heat and pressure of pumps. Since most diesel engines return substantial amounts of fuel back to the tank, it is easy to see that the engine itself adds to fuel deterioration.