Fuel analysis is a highly detailed and thorough process that can help you identify the causes of engine problems.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what fuel analysis is, how it works, and why it’s important for drivers with diesel engines.
What Is Fuel Analysis?
Fuel analysis is a technique used to determine the chemical makeup of your vehicle’s fuel in order to identify any potential issues with the fuel system. For example, if there’s an issue with your fuel tank or lines, the results of a fuel test will show it – revealing such things as water in your diesel or an incorrect blend ratio for biodiesel.
Fuel analysis is typically performed by a professional mechanic at a local auto shop. They’ll analyze the diesel and send it off for further testing in order to determine its chemical makeup. The results of this test can help identify potential problems with the fuel system or engine and let you know exactly what needs to be done to solve them.
Common Issues Found In Fuel Analysis
The most common issue that can be identified through a fuel analysis is water in diesel. Water can cause corrosion in your tank, lines and engine – which can lead to costly repairs down the road. Another common issue is the presence of contaminants in your diesel. These can come from a variety of sources, including dirt and debris in the fuel tank, water in the lines or rust on your injectors.
The presence of contaminants can cause premature failure of your engine, as well as reduce the efficiency of your fuel system. The only way to know for sure if there are any issues with your diesel is to get a fuel analysis done on a regular basis. Diesel is a fuel that contains a number of different components. When you get a fuel analysis done, the lab will test for water content, as well as the presence of sulfur and other contaminants in your diesel tank.
In addition, the lab will test for the presence of a number of different components that are used in diesel fuel. These can include an additive such as urea, which is added to reduce NOx emissions.
You may have heard of urea, but you may not know what it is. Urea is a natural compound that comes from urine, and it’s used in diesel fuel to reduce NOx emissions. In fact, many locomotives are now using urea injection as part of their emissions control systems.
So how do you know if your fuel has been contaminated?
One way is to test for the presence of urea in diesel fuel. You can do this by using a handheld refractometer or simply using your eyesight to inspect your diesel tank.
If you see a white, crystalline substance in your tank, it’s possible that urea has been added to diesel fuel. This is also why some people refer to urea as “crystal-clear” diesel. If this happens in your area and you use the fuel, it could cause problems with your truck engine or equipment.
You can avoid this problem by adding a urea inhibitor to your diesel fuel tank. Urea inhibitors are designed to keep your fuel free of contamination and help it burn cleanly. They also prevent the formation of crystals in diesel engines — which can cause costly damage.
What is urea?
Urea is a naturally occurring substance that’s commonly used to make fertilizer. It’s also added to diesel fuel as an additive to help reduce emissions.
Urea comes from the amino acid, ornithine. It’s produced in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Urea is also a byproduct of protein metabolism and is responsible for removing waste products from your body. The same properties that help your body remove waste products can also help prevent the buildup of contaminants in your diesel fuel.
This is why urea is used as an additive to diesel fuel. It helps keep it clean and free of impurities that would otherwise cause problems in your engine — such as corrosion, sludge build-up, and soot deposits on injectors.
When you fill up your tank with diesel fuel that contains urea, it’s spread throughout the fuel before being delivered to your engine. This helps keep the fuel clean and prevent sludge buildup in your system. It also helps reduce soot deposits on injectors and other parts of your engine — this is especially important if you drive a lot or operate equipment in dusty environments.
Urea is also used in biodiesel blends (such as B20 or B100), which are made from animal fats and vegetable oils. The urea helps prevent sludge deposits caused by impurities present in the fats and oils, which would otherwise clog up fuel lines and filters.
The use of urea in automotive fuel is not without its drawbacks, however. It’s corrosive to metal and causes a buildup of carbon in the combustion chamber, which can cause performance issues. It also has a tendency to attract water vapor from the atmosphere as it ages — especially if it’s stored under high temperatures or in humid conditions.
Corrosion is a problem because it can cause the metal parts of an engine to wear out prematurely. Carbon buildup can reduce fuel efficiency and power output, while water vapor in the air filter can create problems with starting.
Carburetors are also prone to clogging when urea is used in fuel, which can cause performance issues. Some newer vehicles have fuel injection systems that can compensate for this problem, but carbureted cars may need periodic maintenance to clear out their carburetor jets.
Conclusion
Biodiesel is a great alternative to petroleum-based diesel fuel. It burns cleaner, has a higher cetane number and can be used in any diesel engine. However, it’s not the perfect fuel. There are some drawbacks that need to be considered before you switch over completely — especially if you have older equipment or vehicles with carburetors.
