1. Corrosion and Rust Water speeds up oxidation on metal surfaces (tanks, lines, pumps, injectors), forming rust. Rust particles become abrasive contaminants that accelerate wear throughout the system.
2. Microbial Growth (“Diesel Bug”) Bacteria, fungi, and yeasts flourish at the water-fuel interface in the tank bottom. They consume diesel hydrocarbons, multiply rapidly, produce acidic byproducts (further corroding components), and form slimy biomass/sludge. This clogs filters and lines, while dead microbes add more particulates.
3. Loss of Lubricity and Increased Wear Diesel provides natural lubrication for high-pressure fuel pumps and injectors. Water dilutes this lubricity, leading to friction, scoring, erosion, cavitation (pitting), spalling, and premature failure—especially in modern common-rail systems.
4. Engine Performance and Combustion Issues
   • Hard starting, rough idling, misfires, stalling, or complete shutdowns (water doesn’t combust properly).
   • Power loss, poor acceleration, reduced fuel efficiency, and higher emissions.
   • In severe cases: Hydro-lock (water in cylinders), injector tip explosion, pump cavitation, or catastrophic damage.
5. Filter Clogging and System Blockages Sludge, biomass, rust, and particulates quickly plug fuel filters, restricting flow and starving the engine of fuel—often leading to sudden failures.
6. Long-Term and Costly Consequences Accelerated wear shortens engine/component life, skyrockets maintenance and repair expenses (e.g., injector or high-pressure pump replacements can run thousands of dollars), and increases downtime risks.

In essence, water doesn’t just sit harmlessly—it creates a snowball effect of degradation, especially in stored, standby, or infrequently used systems (generators, marine vessels, backup tanks, etc.). Prevention is key: Regular fuel maintenance—including water testing, stabilizers/biocides (used judiciously), effective water separators, good tank hygiene, and periodic polishing with tools like your purifier product—removes water early, stabilizes the fuel, and avoids most issues.

https://dieselcraft.com/portable-fuel-polishing/

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When biodiesel is poorly made—often referred to as “bad biodiesel”—one of the biggest red flags is a high concentration of glycerine (or glycerin/glycerol). Here’s why that matters:
What Glycerine Is in Biodiesel
• Glycerine is a byproduct of the transesterification process used to make biodiesel from fats or oils.
• Ideally, it should be separated and removed during production.
• If not properly removed, it remains in the fuel as free glycerine or bound glycerides (mono-, di-, or triglycerides).
Why High Glycerine Is a Problem
• Engine Damage: Excess glycerine can clog fuel injectors, form deposits on pistons and valves, and lead to poor combustion.
• Cold Weather Issues: Glycerine solidifies at relatively high temperatures, which can cause fuel gelling and blockages in cold climates.
• Storage Instability: Glycerine can separate out over time, reducing shelf life and causing sediment in tanks.
• Fails Standards: High glycerine levels mean the fuel doesn’t meet ASTM D6751 or EN 14214 standards, making it unsuitable for commercial use.
How It’s Measured
• Standards like ASTM D6584 and EN 14105 use gas chromatography to measure both free and total glycerine in biodiesel.
• Acceptable limits are very low—typically <0.02% for free glycerine and <0.24% for total glycerine in B100 biodiesel.
Can It Be Fixed?
• Yes, but it requires reprocessing or purification, such as:
• Washing the biodiesel to remove impurities
• Vacuum distillation
• Membrane filtration or electrodialysis for crude glycerine recovery
Contact www.dieselcraft.com for a fuel purifier and centrifuge to fix the problem.

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