Fuel sampling is an essential part of diesel generator maintenance.
Fuel Sampling for Diesel Generators
Crucial Fuel Maintenance
Fuel sampling is an essential part of diesel generator maintenance. It involves taking a small sample of the diesel fuel from the generator’s tank to test for impurities, water content, and other contaminants. Regular fuel sampling can help detect potential issues before they become major problems that can cause the generator to fail.
At Vital Power we’re specialists in all things generator and Uninterruptible Power Supply, so offer fuel sampling as part of our extensive fuel services range for generators. Here’s our guide to the service, informed by our years of experience in top-quality customer service.
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One of our highly skilled generator engineers will visit your site to map out to take note of your power requirements, where the generator will be installed, answering any questions you may have
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Once the order has been placed, our team will then install your generator on site. We also carry out rigorous commissioning processes to ensure that your equipment is ready to support your site.
Why is Fuel Sampling Important?
Fuel quality is crucial to the smooth operation of a diesel generator. Impurities, water, and other contaminants can cause engine failure, leading to costly repairs and downtime. Fuel sampling helps to identify any problems with the fuel before they can cause damage to the generator.
When Should Fuel Sampling be Done?
Fuel sampling should be done regularly, ideally every three to six months. Vital Power’s team can help create a custom schedule for generator maintenance to help upkeep stay manageable for your team. However, fuel sampling should also be done after the generator has been idle for an extended period, such as after a power outage or when the generator is being prepared for use after being in storage.
What is Fuel Sampling for Generators?
Fuel sampling is a simple process that can be done by a trained technician, like the members of the Vital Power team. Our experienced technician will use a special tool to extract a small amount of fuel (a sample) from the tank. The fuel is then tested for impurities and water content using specialist equipment.
There are several methods of testing the fuel, including visual inspection, water detection paste, and electronic fuel testers.
After the fuel has been tested, the specialist will analyse it to determine if any contaminants or impurities are present in the fuel supply. If any issues are detected, the technician will recommend the appropriate steps to correct the problem – which might include fuel polishing or another service.
What are the Benefits of Fuel Sampling?
Regular fuel sampling can help identify potential issues with the fuel in your generator before they cause damage to the generator’s engine and other machinery. It can also help extend the life of the generator and reduce the risk of downtime, which of course can be extremely costly for your bottom line. Fuel sampling can also ensure that the generator is running at optimal performance levels, and can help to improve the performance of diesel generators, extend the life of generator components, and reduce the risk of unplanned outages in a number of ways.
Some of the key benefits of regular fuel sampling for industrial generators:
Improved performance
Fuel quality testing and sampling can help to identify and correct problems with fuel that can cause poor performance. These can include things like water contamination, microbial growth, and the presence of contaminants such as dirt, rust, and sediment. Fuel quality testing can help to improve the efficiency and reliability of your diesel generator.
Extended generator life
Fuel sampling can help to identify and prevent problems with fuel that can cause premature wear and tear on generator components – such as injectors, fuel pumps and filters. By identifying and correcting these problems, fuel sampling can help to extend the life of generator components and reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs.
Reduced risk of outages
Regular fuel sampling can help to identify and prevent problems with fuel that can cause unplanned outages, such as clogging of fuel filters and injectors, and the formation of varnish and gum deposits. By identifying and correcting these problems, fuel management can help to reduce the risk of unplanned outages and keep diesel generators running when they are needed most.
Regulatory compliance
In addition to the benefits listed above, fuel sampling can also help to comply with environmental regulations and ensure the safety of personnel at your site. For example, fuel quality testing can help to identify and prevent the use of fuels or substances that contain harmful pollutants, such as sulfur and particulate matter. Additionally, fuel sampling can help to identify and prevent the presence of hazardous materials in fuel, such as lead and mercury.
What Our Customers Are Saying
"Your engineer was absolutely brilliant - he got the generator working again really quickly and so I have power; he was also really professional and a real asset to your company. I would recommend your company in a heartbeat. Thank you all for helping me out in a time of need. I'm very grateful."
Site Manager
"I would like to say that your company is very customer driven. To offer a service outside your normal scope to fulfil a market need is exceptional and professional. When our new generator requires a service, I will contact Vital Power again"
Maintenance Manager
"I wanted to say a big thank you for the way my generator was installed by one of your engineers. It was done extremely professional and quickly. The engineer projected a tremendous sense of enthusiasm and confidence – and his small-talk is also most interesting to hear. I was left in awe of his complete understanding of the installation requirements. He even management to iron out a difference on the auto start that the manufacturer did not tell him about. A very clean and good working in all respects, he is a tribute to your company"
Site Manager
"Everyone at Vital Power is very professional. I was really impressed with Managing Director, he worked very hard to make sure we were happy and got everything right. The engineers were superb and extremely professional when they came to inspect our cabling requirements. We couldn't be happier with the result and I couldn't fault the work at all. We're really pleased."
Site Manager (BituChem)
"Very happy with the engineer that was on site yesterday to get involved with the power switchover. All went successfully and brilliant result! Thank you."
Maintenance Manager
"Credit to Warren, he's been absolutely unbelievable. To get the generator working in the time that he has is amazing. Great work and thanks again."
Contracts Manager
"I have just received a phone call from the client in regards to the engineer’s visit yesterday. They were very impressed by him, so much so they are thinking of switching all other generators they have over to you. It’s so good to get positive feedback, thanks again for your help"
Contracts Manager
"Your engineers are great, they are keen to help and work proactively to get things done. We were also seriously impressed with Phill Walters getting an emergency hire set to us in just 2-hours from the initial phone call!"
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