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Diesel engines need diesel fuel to work without breaking. Diesel fuel, besides having the properties of combustion under high pressure that diesel engines are designed to use, also has lubricating properties that are important for a number of moving parts within the diesel engine and it associated fuel supply system. This is why diesel misfuel prevention is now a subject that is so much at the fore of motoring and transport news, and why FuelSure is available today as the solution.
Further to this, the latest generation of diesel engines using common rail injection systems are highly dependent on the properties of diesel fuel and also the particular viscosity that diesel fuel has. Common rail fuel systems are designed for increased fuel efficiency and power and have extremely high-pressure pumps built in that need the right fuel to produce the right effect. FuelSure makes sure that diesel, and only diesel, is used in the system.
Using the right fuel and therefore avoiding misfuelling is also important for elements such as the exhaust system, which need to receive the correctly burnt by-products of diesel after combustion in the engine, to then do their job to reduce the amount of noxious emission gas that a vehicle engine produces.
Using biodiesel to replace petrochemical diesel fuel is not necessarily misfuelling, depending on a number of factors. In theory, biodiesel can be used in any diesel motor with the benefits of cleaner, more ecological combustion, although some precautions may be necessary. In particular, biodiesel has a propensity for dissolving deposits in fuel tanks and pipes, which may then block up diesel fuel filters as they are released. FuelSure is compatible with blended versions from standard diesel pumps.
Using biodiesel of the EN590 (European standard) specification as a blended fuel will let you avoid the deposits being dissolved and the filters getting blocked prematurely, which might be termed a first degree of misfuelling. Using this type of biodiesel means that it can replace standard petroleum diesel in all private and commercial vehicles without modifications or impact to vehicle warranty, according to the UK Department of Transport. Both vehicle manufacturers and diesel fuel injection manufacturers support the use of biodiesel, at least to a B5 level (5% mix of biodiesel by volume with 95% petroleum diesel). Such fuel mixes must observe EN 14214 and EN 590 quality standards to fall within the conditions covered by the warranty. FuelSure warranty covers this as well.
However, using SVO (straight vegetable oil) may not suit all diesel engines and in some cases may cause damage. Among other things, SVO has much higher viscosity and does not burn in the same way in a diesel engine (see remarks on common rail systems above). This is an example where being too ‘bio’ can lead to misfuelling. Misfuelling prevention is available by using a blend of diesel and biodiesel as in the EN590 fuel mentioned above.
This compares with a similar situation with the use of bio-ethanol for petrol engines, where E10 (10 percent ethanol, 90% petrol) can be used by petrol engines without modification or impact on warranties. However, with the E85 (85% ethanol) mixture now being sold, car engines must be specifically designed or modified. Note that in no circumstances should any petrol product ever be used in a diesel engine, or vice versa.
Unfortunately, no choice between diesel and biodiesel will prevent the risk of misfuelling by putting petrol in a diesel fuel tank. Stay safe by using FuelSure, the simple misfueling prevention solution that inexpensively and effectively keeps you on the diesel/biodiesel track. Call 0845 475 8397 today or drop us a line via our contact page.
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