PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-593

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 593

APRIL 2002
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-593 - Page 4 of 32
PS 593
APR 02
6
Fuel Contamination…
No
Needed Here
Dirty fuel
gets the blame
for a lot of
maintenance
problems with
vehicles and
other engine-
powered
equipment.
But the
main
cause
of dirty
fuel is
water
.
Water can get into fuel by
condensation, from a leaky fuel cap
or because of contaminated supplies.
The stuff that’s left
clogs filters, lines and
engine injectors.
Once crud forms, it takes
a thorough fuel tank
cleaning to get it all out.
Check out your
vehicle TMs for
how-to info. If
your TM doesn’t
have the info, a
general reference
can be found in fM
10-67-1,
Concepts
and Equipment
of Petroleum
Operations
(Apr 98). Check
out Section IV
of Chap 12.
The additive is really a mixture
of
biocide
and
stabilizer
.
Get a 5-gal can of biocide with
5-gal can of stabilizer with
You can get a 55-gal drum of biocide with
NSN 6840-01-041- 0098 and a 55-gal drum
of stabilizer with NSN 6850-01-167-4788.
The additive will not dissolve
crud that’s already in the fuel
tanks, but it will stop further
growth. It will also kill all the
microorganisms in the fuel.
Never
put the additive in an
empty fuel tank. It mixes better
and works best when added to
a half-full tank just before
you finish filling it.
If you use the additive without first
cleaning the fuel tanks, keep a close eye
on fuel filters. As chunks of the crud
break loose, filters can clog real quick.
Clean or change the filters often until
the crud disappears.
Follow the
instructions
that come with
the additive.
The additive slows fuel break-
down, kills microbial growth
and inhibits corrosion.
It’s not
my fault
-I
blame the
dirty fuel!
‘SCUMMY’!?!
look at me!
Do I look
scummy?
ah-
ha!
you
were
saying?
Hello,
bio!
Hello,
stabe!
you might not
look like it, but
you’re
filthy
with
micro-organisms!
Use a mix of
1 gallon of
each
product
per
5,000 gallons
of fuel.
I
wouldn’t
be
dirty if it wasn’t
for you, ya
scummy bum!
this vehicle
keeps break-
ing down! I’m
going to find
out what’s
causing it!
Shortly…
Once water’s in the fuel,
microorganisms go to work breaking
down the fuel, the tank coatings and
sealants, and fuel system surfaces.
After the system’s clean, work
on keeping it clean with
a fuel stabilizer additive.
Always wear protective gloves
and goggles when handling fuel
additives and be sure to work in
a well-ventilated area.
Do
not
add the additive
to JP-8. It already
contains a compound to
kill microorganisms.
Plus, the
additive is
not
approved for
aviation use.
593. 06-07 (C)
3/1/02
2:26 PM
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