fuel polishing

When the mass power outage spread through Southern California and parts of Arizona in 2013, those who had generators and other forms of emergency power were ahead of the curve. They were prepared, but was their fuel?  If your diesel fuel has been stored or unused for a long period of time, then it is of utmost importance to have it polished.

A clean fuel system is essential for preventative maintenance for your diesel engine.  One of the main problems with diesel fuel is contamination from algae, microorganisms, fungus, yeast, and bacteria.  Algae survive on the hydrocarbons in the fuel and the oxygen in the water in suspension and in the bottom water.  If left untreated, the contamination can cause plugged filters, motor operation problems, and expensive repairs.  These preventable symptoms of unclean fuel can and will lead to unnecessary failure of your emergency generator. 

Early signs of contamination include but are not limited to:

• Dark, smoky exhaust that persists even after the engine of your generator has warmed up.
• Any discovery of corrosion in the fuel tank, or other metal parts that contact the fuel
• Hard deposits on engine injectors are an early and often subtle indicator.  (Normal deposits should wipe clean with a cloth.)

The process is relatively simple.  We circulate the fuel through a special filter system which removes particulates and purifies the fuel.  We then place an additive into the fuel which kills any remaining algae and aids in keeping the fuel clean. There is a clear distinction between samples taken before and after polishing.  Upon request, samples can be analyzed through a lab to provide further verification of these results.

At Jauregui & Culver, Inc., we want to serve you and help prevent the expense and inconvenience of generator failure as a consequence of contaminated fuel.  It is recommended that your fuel be polished at least once every two years, though most major oil companies, engine manufacturers, and regulatory bodies recommend polishing yearly for back up power sources. In critical facilities, such as hospitals, fuel should be polished at least twice annually to ensure that it is in pristine condition when it is needed for use.

We’ll clean up your fuel and keep you out of the dark!

For more information, please contact us at (760) 743-0518