What is Diesel Bug and why you need to eradicate it?
Diesel bug thrives at the interface between fuel and water – ie just off the bottom of the tank, where the micro-organisms form colonies. In this cosy environment they break down the alkanes in the fuel using oxygen from the water, precipitating a black sludge to the bottom of the tank as they do so. This sludge is formed from the microbes’ excretions and from badly emulsified fuel, and consists in part of thread-like compounds a few microns (micrometers) in size that quickly agglomerate to block fuel filters and stop your engine.
Source from https://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/12-diesel-bug-treatments-tested-43353
When bacteria, sludge or water is sucked into the fuel lines it causes filter and injector blockages. As a result of the blockages the filter, injector, fuel tank and lines may require replacement or cleaning, and if the damage affects the operation of the injector pump then watch out because this can often be a painfully expensive repair.
Water condensation creates the perfect environment for the diesel bug, so removing the water and the bacteria will eliminate the diesel bug and stop any further growth. Additives have been developed to kill the bugs and prevent more from forming. However, the additive doesn’t physically remove the dead bugs. Instead, engine combustion is used to burn them off.
Source from:ttps://www.aa.co.nz/cars/motoring-blog/what-is-the-diesel-bug-and-how-can-i-prevent-it/
What are the symptoms of diesel bug affecting my engine?
Engines can function with a surprisingly high amount of microbial growth in the fuel, so the chances are you’ll see the
warning signs before it gets to the point that the engine actually fails.
Symptoms include
- poor starting,
- fuel starvation,
- erratic running
- black smoke from the exhaust.
How to prevent or remove diesel bug?
Diesel bug, even in a mild form, produces sulphuric acid which causes corrosion in all metal fuel tanks, including stainless, and the fuel system itself. FuelRight not only inhibits the acid production but also coats steel surfaces in your system, protecting them against corrosion from the combined effects of moisture and contamination. Changing the filter regularly won’t solve the problem. You’ll need to eradicate the bug and, if necessary, have the tank cleaned.
FuelRight out of USA and Canada is a diesel bug treatment and fuel system treatment including cold start.
This really is a totally new way to treat fuel, for bug, contaminants and water, plus conditioning. It is NOT another ’ me too’ diesel bug treatment based on detergent function, and is an environmentally friendly non-biocide. Developed over the last 20 years, it is truly a revolution in the managing of diesel bug and other fuel related issues especially with common rail diesels and the advent of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel. FuelRight involves complex
Amine chemistry which among other functions, is extremely effective in breaking down sludge in fuel and preventing recurrence. Amines in effect ‘melt’ the polysaccharides or binding agents holding bacterial sludge together, thereby releasing the bacteria into the fuel allowing them to be caught in the filters or be safely burnt away. No other fuel treatment we know of does this. Amines naturally clean and lubricate the injectors ensuring proper atomization of fuel, and a more complete combustion, thereby improving economy, smoother running and reducing smoke and emissions.
Fuel Right immediately begins to dissolve suspended microbial contamination and pushes it to the bottom of the jar. The Fuel clarifies making it suitable for use. Fuel Right then leaves a microscopic corrosion coating that lines all metal surfaces. Fuel Right continue to dissolve the remaining microbial contamination and prevents further bio-mass development. To dispense Fuel Right solution, you will use 1ml for every 15litres. To dispense this, a measured syringe is included with each product.
For convenience, we offer tablet form of treatment for diesel fueled engines. Although it doesn’t break down the Bug colonies it is a very effective treatment and also helps prevents valve recession on older engines. Visit our online store to shop for a solution and get rid of diesel bug and problems associated.
Shop FuelRight- Complete solution to diesel fuel treatment
Picture show bits of metal from the machine and a small amount of bug.
The machines filter would have caught this and eventually blocked up.
FuelRight would have removed the bug by breaking it down but the metal of course would still be caught in the filter.
Pictures show a water emulsified with Diesel. Hence the milky look.
If this was in a Common Rail Diesel engine machine. There is a good chance the water would have gone through the fuel filter once the water trap was overloaded and caused fuel system, and injector damage.
If this had been treated with FuelRight, the water would have dropped out. Preventing the risk.
Picture taken from a loader tank clean job.
It shows water in suspension making the fuel look white. Also Bug plus some rust floating in the fuel making it look like Cocopops in milk.
This is the result of not treating fuel in this contracting machine. If FuelRight had been used the water would not be in suspension and the the diesel bug wouldn’t be there.