What are the effects of water in diesel on the engine?
2 Answers
If there is only a small amount of water in the diesel, the engine can still start without much impact; however, if there is a significant amount of water, it will affect idle stability and acceleration performance. Below is a partial introduction to diesel fuel quality inspection: 1. Observe the color: High-quality diesel for regular vehicles should be a transparent liquid, colorless, light yellow, or light brown, slightly transparent without any turbidity. If the color is dark or resembles soy sauce, it indicates low-grade blended fuel. Turbidity suggests the presence of water or impurities, indicating inferior diesel. 2. Smell the odor: High-quality diesel has a normal fuel smell, while inferior diesel may have a pungent odor, such as strange or fishy smells characteristic of recycled oil. 3. Check for impurities: Take a small amount of fuel and filter it through filter paper (or a paper towel), then observe whether any impurities are left on the filter paper (or paper towel). 4. Examine viscosity and foam: Diesel itself has high viscosity, which increases as the temperature drops, meaning diesel has poorer fluidity at lower temperatures.
I've been driving a diesel pickup truck to construction sites for a long time, and water contamination in diesel fuel is quite common. When water mixes in, it first causes the fuel injectors to rust or clog, leading to abnormal sparking during ignition, severe engine shaking, and white smoke emission. Once, I didn't tighten the fuel tank cap properly, and rainwater got in. The truck was hard to start and had to be towed for repairs, resulting in the replacement of the pump and valves due to rust. Water can't burn, not only wasting fuel but also wearing down the cylinder walls. In winter, it's even easier for the water to freeze in the fuel lines. The repair costs are hefty, starting from thousands of dollars. I've learned my lesson and now regularly check the fuel-water separator to remove any water. Using fuel from reputable gas stations and avoiding low-quality products can help prevent this issue. Stay vigilant in daily maintenance.
