Generators – Water in Fuel – Contamination
A diesel generator requires a clean fuel supply for efficient operation. Commonly using red diesel (with lower tax rates to prevent illegal road use), the fuel can be contaminated by water due to condensation and poor delivery quality. Since April 2022, red diesel is no longer tax-free in the UK, and regulations vary by country. Key maintenance tips include checking for leaks, regularly dipping the fuel tank for contaminants, ensuring the quality of the diesel supply, and filtering the fuel at least annually. Contaminated fuel can affect generator performance significantly.
A diesel generator, as the name suggests, relies upon a clean supply of fuel to operate and to do so in an efficient manner. Any water in the fuel, will contaminate the engine. A common fuel source is red diesel and is known by a variety of other names, such as generator diesel, tractor diesel and cherry juice. It is used widely in industry to power machinery and off-road vehicles. The red dye is added to prevent illegal use of this fuel in road vehicles, due to the much lower tax rate imposed on this fuel compared to standard diesel. Other European countries use blue dye for this same purpose. Many diesel generators are only used sporadically for standby power, and consequently the same fuel can sit in the tank for a long period of time if not years.
Fluctuations in the outside temperature can cause condensation to form in the tank, resulting in water entering the fuel.
Even fuel deliveries can be contaminated with water.
PLEASE NOTE: In the UK Red Diesel is no longer tax free since April 2022.
EVERY COUNTRY HAS ITS OWN TAX LAWS AND REGIME. PLEASE CHECK THE REGULATIONS FOR USE IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY.
Example
The fuel on he left has been filtered. The fuel on the right is the same age and is full of water.
So what can go wrong?
1/ Check the generator has no roof canopy leaks – rain water.
2/ Check the fuel tank has no roof leaks or rust patches.
3/ Regularly dip your fuel tank and have an industry expert check for contaminates.
4/ Listen for your diesel generator ‘hunting’ when running.
5/ Use a reputable diesel supplier.
6/ Never use OLD or RE-USE discarded fuel in your generator.
7/ Do not forget to filtrate your fuel tanks at least once a year.
Fuel-Polishing-Test from Power Continuity Ltd on Vimeo
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