If there’s one expression that’s applicable to engine maintenance, it’s this: what you put in is what you get out. Truer words have never been spoken when it comes to the quality of diesel you use for your engine!
Using the right quality diesel when filling up is paramount to the integrity, health, and performance of not only your engine, but all of its individual parts. Poor diesel quality can quickly start to negatively impact a number of vital components, including filters, pumps, and especially your fuel injectors.
Here’s how the quality of diesel you use affects your engine – and some tell-tale signs that poor fuel quality has already impacted its performance!
Poor Quality Diesel: Blocked Fuel Injectors
What is it? Bad quality diesel refers to fuel that has been contaminated or compromised in some way. It may have dirt or debris in it, the biodiesel content might be too high, water could have infiltrated the fuel supply – bad diesel can be caused by a number of factors!
Read More: Benefits of Upgrading Your Common Rail Diesel Fuel Injectors
How does this impact my engine? Blocked injectors will ultimately lead to poor performance and efficiency on your part. You’ll see reduced power output, lower fuel economy, and eventually, over time, they will clog up completely!
Signs of poor-quality diesel causing your vehicle problems include black sooty deposits on the exterior of your tailpipe when exhaust gases are burned off, visible water in the fuel tank, and visible particles in the fuel itself. There might even be a noticeable drop off of power or performance when accelerating or driving uphill.
What’s the solution? The best way to remedy injector clogging is to use a quality diesel additive that helps to clean out your engine system. These can be found at most fuel stations, but performance experts like Just Autos will be able to advise you of the best additives to use.
Poor Quality Diesel: Blocked Filters
What is it? A blocked filter – like a blocked onjector – will ultimately lead to poor engine performance and composition. If you notice your vehicle burning roughly the same amount of fuel but getting less kilometers per litre than usual, this could indicate damage to your filters!
How does this impact my engine? Poor quality diesel can compromise your fuel filters, leading to a buildup of dirt and debris and ultimately causing damage to your entire fuel system. As more and more particles build up in the systems, the pressure put on the components increases, which means that they will start to wear out quicker than they normally would.
Signs of poor-quality diesel causing problems with your vehicle’s filtration include diminished acceleration power (especially when driving uphill), reduced fuel economy (despite using roughly the same amount of fuel per week), and stalling out when accelerating or driving uphill.
Your Check Engine light might also come on if there is an increase in pressure within the engine – another tell-tale sign of blocked filters.
Read More: Top 5 Must-Do Maintenance Tips for Diesel Engines
What’s the solution? Your best bet is to use a quality diesel additive that helps clean out the system and get rid of any dirt or debris. The issue may not always be a result of poor fuel quality, but you’ll be able to rule it out by using an additive
Poor Quality Diesel: Decline in Engine Performance
What is it? Declining engine performance can be a sign of poor-quality diesel, but it could also indicate issues with the engine itself. A decline in power output or efficiency may point to problems with your fuel injectors or filtration elements – but before you rule out bad quality diesel altogether, get your vehicle checked by an expert!
Read More: For the Love of Diesel: Are You Looking After Your Engine?
How does this impact my engine? Poor quality diesel will affect the overall performance and composition of your engine. Over time these particles will start to build up inside the system and lead to corrosion. This will eventually result in damage to not only your filters and injectors, but other crucial components like pumps too.
You might notice black sooty deposits on tails pipes when exhaust gases are burned off, and you might even see visible particles in the fuel itself.
What’s the solution? As with injector clogging, using a good quality diesel additive that helps clean out your engine system can resolve any issues caused by poor quality diesel. Use additives at every fill up to ensure that you don’t experience further problems!
Read More: 5 Ways to Boost Diesel Engine Performance
Restore Your Engine’s Former Glory
Just Autos are diesel performance experts that promote proper car and engine care. After all, it’s far more expensive to repair your car than it is to maintain it. Moreover, keeping your car up to date with its services and required maintenance makes it that much easier to start boosting your performance!
If you’re strict with your engine maintenance and want to see your car perform at the level you know it’s capable of, book it in at our workshop. Our specialists will help you realise your diesel’s true potential – and then have you falling in love with it all over again!
