the diesel bug problem

Diesel bug microbes thrive wherever there is food and water. Fuel storage, dispensing and some vehicle fuel systems are therefore dream homes for diesel bug bacteria, yeasts and moulds. The trend towards greener fuels is creating pressure to further reduce sulphur and increase biofuel content. Sulphur kills bugs and biofuels attract additional water, so changing fuel specifications are set to make diesel fuel an increasingly diesel bug friendly environment. Diesel bugs which grow unchecked can block fuel filters, and cause injection problems. They are so corrosive that over time, they can damage the structural integrity of the tank and injectors.

the diesel bug test

All you need is 10 minutes, a flat surface, a pair of latex gloves & a 200 ml sample to discover which bugs are living in your diesel fuel. The easy to interpret, pregnancy style test gives a negligible, low or high reading which clearly indicates the fuel system status, and what action to take, if any.

the diesel bug solution

There is no magic bullet to eliminate the diesel bug problem. A multi-disciplinary approach to diesel fuel hygiene is the key to avoiding the inconvenience and cost of contaminated fuel tanks and pump dispensing systems. Good diesel fuel hygiene entails implementing a regular ‘appropriate to risk’ diesel fuel hygiene regime. The risk of contamination is increased in hot, humid conditions, especially where diesel fuel comes from a source that has fewer quality control checks. The chosen regime should consist of regular draining of water, including the hazy layer, and a bug test of each tank at least once a year, followed by appropriate fuel & tank treatments. Appropriate treatments, best conducted by experienced specialist contractors, include tank cleaning, biocides and fuel polishing.