PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-584
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 584
JULY 2001
PS 584
JUL 01
49
Generators.
..
Fuel Tank
Fundamentals
O
ne of the things the diesel engine in
your generator needs is clean fuel. So the
PMCS in your TM calls for checking the
fuel-water separator for water and other
contaminants and to drain them.
for your fuel system is a few inches
above the tank bottom and the fuel
will float on top of most contami-
nants.
The problem becomes noticeable
when the contaminant level rises to
the level of the pick-up tube. By then
you have severely contaminated fuel!
In a diesel system, fuel transfer
pumps, injection pumps and fuel
injectors have parts that rely upon
the fuel for lubrication. Water and
other contaminants can permanently
damage these parts.
A small amount of contamination is nor-
mal, but it needs to be removed just the
same. Frequently occurring contaminants
(once a day or more) in your fuel-water
separator may indicate severe fuel
contamination.
Fuel contaminants accumulate in the
bottom of your fuel tank. You won't know
it right away because the fuel pick-up tube
Most
TMs
don't tell you
to
check
generator fuel
tank contaminant levels.
But anytime you find
water
or other
contaminants in the fuel-
water separator or fuel
system filter sump,
here’s what to do…
Check fuel/water separator
Has contamination
reached pick-up
tube inside tank?
today’s
subject
is
clean
fuel!
Find contamination
source
Open the fuel
tank drain
* Open the fuel tank drain cock and
drain a small amount of fuel into a con-
tainer that will let you see the fuel.
* If the fuel is free of contaminants and
water (water will appear as various-sized
beads in the container bottom) close the
drain cock. If contaminants and water
appear, continue to drain the fuel until
samples are not contaminated. Then,
close the drain cock.
* In cases of severe contamination it will
be necessary to de-fuel the system,
replace all filters and clean all strainers.
Follow the TM instructions for this job.
Fuel filters may have to be replaced two
or three times after severe contamina-
tion.
If you found contaminants in the fuel-
water separator or fuel tank and you get
rid of them, you're done, right?
Wrong!
That contamination had to come from
somewhere so you need to find out
where. It could be a fuel truck or an
external fuel tank or anything else in
your fuel pumping chain. Get other users
to help you. It's in their interest to find
the source of the contamination, too.
584. 48-49 (C)
6/6/01
11:50 AM
Page 1
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