The Hidden Costs of Poor Fuel Quality — And How to Avoid Them

Fuel quality often goes unnoticed until it starts causing costly issues that disrupt operations. Contaminants in your bulk fuel storage tanks can lead to serious consequences, impacting your bottom line. These threats not only reduce engine performance but can also cause long-term damage that requires expensive repairs and extended downtime.

Understanding the dangers of poor fuel quality and how to avoid them is essential for fleet owners who want to minimize costs and keep operations running smoothly. In today’s article, we will discuss how these contaminants affect equipment and explore the best practices for safeguarding against them.

The Impact of Contaminants on Your Fleet

You’ve probably heard it before, but a study by the EPA revealed that 83% of the storage tanks analyzed showed moderate to severe corrosion issues. Now, we’ll ask you: do you know the condition of your tanks? While checking your tanks or testing stored fuel might seem trivial, the impact of poor fuel quality on engine performance can be severe. Even small amounts of water, wax, or microbial growth can cause major disruptions in fuel systems, leading to costly repairs and downtime.

The effects of contaminants can extend far beyond immediate repair costs. Poor fuel quality can lead to:

• Increased Maintenance and Repair Costs – The need for frequent repairs to injectors, fuel lines, and other engine components adds up quickly. These costs can be significant, especially when dealing with engine overhauls due to fuel-related damage.
• Downtime – When fuel contamination causes equipment failure, fleets face unscheduled downtime. This results in lost productivity, delays, and missed business opportunities. Fleet operations may also need to extend service intervals, which impacts overall fleet efficiency.
• Fuel Inefficiency – Contaminants can cause poor combustion, leading to reduced engine performance and fuel efficiency. Over time, this can increase fuel consumption, raising operating costs significantly.
• Shortened Equipment Lifespan – Frequent contamination-related issues can shorten the lifespan of engines and fuel systems, ultimately leading to higher capital expenditures on equipment replacement.

Best Practices

Proper Fuel Storage

Effective fuel storage is one of the most important aspects of maintaining fuel quality. Tanks should be kept in well-ventilated, temperature-controlled areas to minimize the chance of water condensation and wax formation. Additionally, tanks should be regularly inspected for any signs of leaks or moisture buildup.

Regular Fuel Testing

Frequent fuel testing is essential to detect the presence of contaminants and other issues before they escalate. Fuel samples should be taken at regular intervals and analyzed for water content, microbial growth, and overall fuel quality. Identifying these issues early allows for timely action and minimizes the risk of serious damage.

Fuel Additives

Fuel additives play a key role in maintaining fuel quality and preventing contamination-related issues. Water-removal additives can help prevent water from separating from the fuel and forming harmful emulsions. Microbial inhibitors can stop bacteria and fungi from growing, protecting the fuel from sludge buildup and reducing the risk of clogging fuel filters. Winter additives are especially important in colder climates to prevent wax formation and keep fuel flowing smoothly.

Full Fuel Tanks

Fuel tanks should be kept as full as possible to reduce the amount of air exposure and prevent condensation from forming inside the tank. This can significantly reduce the risk of water contamination, which is the most common cause of microbial growth. Furthermore, it’s essential to ensure that the fuel being delivered is of the highest quality, which is why working with trusted suppliers, such as Mansfield, is critical.

Regular Tank Maintenance

Storage tanks should undergo regular maintenance checks to ensure that they remain free of cracks, leaks, or signs of deterioration. Over time, tanks may develop issues like rust, which can introduce contaminants into the fuel. It’s important to monitor and replace parts such as seals, gaskets, and valves to maintain the integrity of the tank and prevent external contamination from entering. These routine checks help ensure that tanks continue to store fuel safely and efficiently.

Tank Cleaning

Fuel tanks should be cleaned every one or two years, whether the fuel is contaminated or not. This is especially important for fleets operating in humid environments or those that use tanks for extended periods without full fuel turnover. During the cleaning process, tanks should also be inspected for corrosion or other damage that could allow contaminants to enter the system.

However, if the fuel dispensed from the nozzle shows signs of contamination, such as being cloudy, unclear, or having a strong, unpleasant odor, you should consider tank cleaning or polishing as soon as possible. Tank cleaning removes sludge, dirt, and water that may have built up over time

Ready to stay on top of fuel quality?

Poor fuel quality may seem like a minor issue, but its long-term effects can be costly and detrimental to fleet operations. By implementing proper maintenance practices, fleet owners can avoid the hidden costs of poor fuel quality. Taking proactive steps will help protect your equipment, reduce downtime, and ensure that your fleet continues to run smoothly and efficiently for years to come.

 Mansfield’s FS&S Program

Mansfield offers a Fuel Systems & Services Program with 24/7 customer support through a single nationwide contact number, eliminating the need to waste hours calling different vendors. Our national repair and maintenance network ensures you only have reputable, expert technicians on-site to fix your problem quickly.

What sets us apart? In addition to Mansfield’s national coverage, we offer advanced tracking and reporting through FuelNet so that you can review tank data and alarms, service records, and warranty information. Your local sites can focus on what they do best – running your business – while you gain complete control of fuel equipment costs and activities.

Contact an expert at Mansfield today and streamline how you manage your bulk fuel tank with Mansfield’s nationwide repair and maintenance program.