Diesel Quality Testing: The Basics Every Operator Should Know—& How Clear Fuel Technologies Fits In
Bad diesel costs twice — once in repair bills and again in lost uptime. Here’s how routine testing plus Clear Fuel Technologies (CFT) services keep every engine in your fleet running clean.
1. Start with the Right Tests
CFT’s Fuel Sampling & Risk Analysis bundle covers the four checks modern common-rail engines can’t live without:
| Test | What it spots | CFT follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Sediment ASTM D2709 | Free water, sludge bottoms | On-site Tank Cleaning & Fuel Remediation plus biocide dose |
| Particle Count ISO 4406 | Dust, rust, tank scale | Tank & Inline Filtration upgrade to β200 = 4 µm |
| Microbial Activity ATP test | Bacteria & fungal colonies | Shock biocide + automated Fuel Tank Maintenance System |
| Spec Check Sulfur, cetane, density | Off-spec or adulterated fuel | Compliance & Risk Assessment report for supplier / insurer |
2. What Happens When a Sample Fails?
- Immediate remediation — CFT’s high-flow polishing rigs strip water and debris on-site.
- Deep tank clean — Vacuum-wash or man-entry service for heavily fouled storage.
- Preventive retrofits — Water-sniffer alarms, recirculation loops, and other Custom Built Solutions stop repeat failures.
3. Build Testing Into Routine Maintenance
| Asset type | CFT testing cadence | Added protection |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk depot tanks | Each delivery + quarterly check | Fuel Tank Level Monitoring with SMS/e-mail alerts |
| Critical generators | Monthly | 24/7 kidney-loop filtration via Fuel Tank Maintenance System |
| On-road vehicles | At each scheduled service | Sample kits issued to workshop staff |
All plans include a digital logbook for painless ISO 45001 or SANS 10089 audits.
4. One Partner, Complete Coverage
- Tank Supply & Maintenance — Certified above-ground tanks, installed and serviced.
- Compliance & Risk Assessments — Reports that satisfy environmental and insurance bodies.
- Custom Built Solutions — From 50 L day-tanks to 1 ML bulk farms, tailored to your budget and footprint.
Takeaway
Contaminated diesel doesn’t just eat injectors; it eats profit. Partner with CFT for Fuel Sampling & Risk Analysis, on-the-spot remediation, and proactive monitoring, and turn fuel quality into a competitive edge.
Ready to test—or retest—your diesel? Contact Clear Fuel Technologies for a no-obligation site survey and keep every engine running clean, compliant, and cost-effective.