Poor Fuel Selection Can Lead To Engine Problems in Trucks

Many overseas fleets tend to choose lower priced fuel in order to save costs during operation, but overlook the impact of fuel quality on heavy-duty truck engines. Poor fuel selection may seem to save some fuel costs, but it can easily lead to engine failures, high maintenance costs, and delay transportation time. Poor quality fuel contains impurities, moisture, excessive sulfur, and gum. The precise high-pressure common rail system is the first to be impacted, and the fuel injector is easily worn and blocked by impurities, resulting in poor fuel atomization effect and insufficient combustion. The car will gradually experience weakened power, inexplicable increase in fuel consumption, and idle shaking. Many drivers initially think it is just a small problem, but after continuous use, the fault will continue to worsen. The moisture in the fuel can also cause internal corrosion of the fuel pump, piston sticking, and excessive sulfur content, which will form acidic substances after combustion, continuously corrode the cylinder liner and piston ring, and accumulate a large amount of carbon on the top of the valve and piston. Over time, this can lead to problems such as cylinder pulling and increased wear. Nowadays, new heavy-duty trucks are equipped with post-treatment systems. Poor quality fuel can cause frequent DPF blockages, SCR catalyst poisoning and failure, and the vehicle can be directly limited in torque and speed, resulting in breakdowns halfway. The cost of repairing and replacing such post-treatment parts is high, and it is also the most headache inducing maintenance project for many overseas fleets. The fuel standards vary in different countries and regions, so cross-border transportation fleets need to understand the local fuel indicators in advance, prioritize compliant and stable fuel supply channels, and not blindly choose low-priced fuel. Basic protection can also be done in daily life, such as replacing fuel filters on time, regularly draining the fuel tank, paying attention to the condition of the oil when refueling, and avoiding gas stations with poor storage conditions and unknown sources as much as possible. The fleet can also provide training for drivers to familiarize them with the vehicle signals caused by abnormal fuel consumption. Once a decrease in power or abnormal exhaust is detected, stop refueling the current fuel in a timely manner and check the fuel system and engine as soon as possible. For export heavy-duty trucks, the stability of the engine is the confidence of the fleet operation. Choosing the right fuel that is suitable for the standard and doing a good job in oil quality control can reduce sudden failures, extend the service life of the engine, control the overall operating costs within a reasonable range, and ensure the stable operation of cross-border freight.