Diesel Fuel Quality is a query Not a Guarantee

Diesel engine designs striving to increase engine performance have made great advancements in engine fuel delivery to the combustion chamber. Todays diesel engine is quieter, smoother, and more powerful. But todays diesel engine owners are overlooking one important factor. The quality of todays diesel fuel has not advanced at the same rate as the engine improvements.

Diesel fuel begins to deteriorate as soon as it is produced. Within 30 days of refining, all diesel fuel regardless of brand, goes through a natural process called re-polymerization and oxidation. This process forms varnishes and insoluble gums in the fuel by causing the molecules of the fuel to lengthen and bond together. These components now drop to the bottom of the fuel tank and form asphaltene also known as diesel sludge. The fuel begins to turn dark in color, smell bad, and in most cases causes engines to smoke. The engines smoke because some of these clusters in the early stages are small enough in size to pass through the engine filtration and into the combustion chamber. As these clusters increase in size, only part of the molecule gets burned. The rest goes out the exhaust as unburned fuel and smoke. With increases in cluster size they begin to reduce the flow of fuel by clogging filters. The filters only address the symptom and not the cause.

It is estimated that eight out of every ten diesel engine failures have been directly related to poor quality and contaminated fuel. The build-up of contaminates in the fuel systems and storage tanks can quickly clog filters, thus resulting in engine shut down, fuel pump wear, and diesel engine damage.

Understand that most fuel has some amount of water in it from either condensation or vents. This threat requires that we realize the added burden placed upon diesel fuel as opposed to gasoline. Gasoline acts as a fuel only. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, also must cool and lubricate injection system parts. These parts are engineered to very close tolerances - up to 0.0002 of an inch - and any contamination means rapid part wear. Water displaces the diesel fuel. When the fuel is displaced wear occur because lubrication is now absent.

Water that enters the combustion chamber results in even more serious damage. When it comes in contact with the heat of the combustion chamber (in excess of 2000 degrees F), it immediately turns to steam and often explodes the tip of the injector. Water causes corrosion of tanks, lines, injectors, and greatly reduces combustibility.

Other areas of concern include the producing more exhaust emissions and effecting EPA standards.

Bacteria also present a serious problem. Bacteria feed on nitrogen, sulfur, and iron that may be present in the fuel or tank.

Then there are algae. There are absolutely no algae in diesel fuel. You may have fungus and microbial contamination but no algae. This is a misnomer for diesel sludge. So if you have a diagnosis of ALGAE and add a biocide, you have done two things, 1) found a mechanic that is wrong and 2) done nothing to fix the problem.

Why is there so much bad fuel?

The number one reason is due to the increased popularity of diesel power and the accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel. There was a time when diesel fuel remained in the refinery storage tanks long enough to naturally separate and settle, allowing the clean fuel to be drawn off. Now with increased demand, diesel fuel never remains stationary long enough for settling, and the suspended water and solids are passed on to you, the user.

The change in refinery techniques is another problem. In order to get more products per dollar; diesel fuel is now being refined from more marginal portions of the crude oil barrel. This results in a lower-grade product that is inherently thicker and contains more contamination.

Thirdly, current fuel distribution methods also have a negative impact on the condition of the fuel at the time of delivery. In many cases, brokers control fuel sales to major distribution terminals and determine delivery dates. There is no telling how long that fuel has been in the distribution network and how many times it has been transferred. Seldom do these distributors filter the fuel as they transfer it.

The solution: Multifunctional diesel additive packages and hardware.

For your single vehicle or fleet the improvement of fuel quality by the use of additives and current technology is always a good choice.

Many diesel fuel additive packages address the key issues with respect to fuel performance; some improve fuel economy, increase lubricity, improving cold flow, and improve cetane number. And some only address the issue of rust and corrosion, but all should be considered.

Most diesel fuel additives contain combustion improvers that release oxygen during the compression stroke. This allows combustion to start sooner, providing for a more complete fuel burn. A more complete burn provides all the power your fuel and engine is capable of producing. As combustion improvers and you get a smoother running engine, an increase in horsepower that improves fuel economy and the reduction in black smoke emissions.

Cetane is a performance rating of a diesel fuel, a higher cetane number or cetane rating indicates greater fuel efficiency. The fuels cetane influences, duration of white smoking after start-up, drivability before warm-up, and intensity of diesel knock at idle. Increase the cetane number of a fuel and you have improved performance.

In diesel fuel systems, the fuel provides lubrication for the fuel pump and injectors. A fuel with poor lubricity can cause excessive wear and premature failure of these components. Improve lubricity and extend engine life.

Diesel fuels have pour points (the lowest temperature at which an oil or other liquid will pour under given conditions) within the range of normal winter temperatures. As a fuel approaches its pour point, paraffin in the fuel form wax crystals that prevent it from flowing. Flow-improver additives modify the wax crystals, lowering the pour point of the fuel and give better cold weather performance.

For on-sight storage tanks other issues must be looked at. On-sight storage tanks always have a small amount of the first gallon of fuel ever put in them, unless it is drained 100% and cleaned. So adding new, fresh fuel always has a bit of the bad added to it every time fuel is purchased. Diluting the bad with good over time is a loosing battle. The fuel will always be bad fuel until the core problem is addressed

The order of treatment for fuel related problems should always begin with a determination of whether there is water in the fuel and if the fuel has microbes (fuel bugs) in it. Water Paste and Fuel Test Kits can be used for this stage of maintenance. If microbes are detected, then the use of biocides is needed. Biocides have no effect on and will not eliminate the sludge problem. Biocides kill bacteria, thats all!

The water issue should always be remedied first by the use of fuel water separators on the tank or on the equipment. Next a multifunctional chemical additive should be added to improve fuel performance and then if needed a problem specific additive to dissolve diesel sludge and or a rust inhibitor to protect steel tanks. For long-term prevention, the use of magnet fuel conditioners is recommended. These devices continually reverse the re-polymerization of the fuel during circulation and reduce the need for ongoing additive use. All the needed cures are available from Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering at www.dieselcraft.com.

Conclusion

There is no good time to find out that your engine won't operate or that half its life span is gone prematurely because of contaminated or poor quality diesel fuel. Since no one can predict a breakdown, the only safe method is prevention.

Realize now that you do have a problem, and manage it now, or deal with the unexpected catastrophe and reduced equipment life that comes at the absolutely wrong time and is not in the budget!

Diesel Engine Principles For Beginners

Diesel engine principles are pretty straight forward for the experienced mechanic but what about regular everyday people who have never taken the time to find out more about a diesel engine and how it works?

I am going to explain in layman's terms the basic principles of a diesel engine.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GASOLINE ENGINE AND A DIESEL ENGINE?...a quick overview.

The first thing you should know is a gasoline engine and a diesel engine are totally different. A gasoline engine is constructed much lighter than the heavier built diesel engine and runs on an air/fuel mixture combined with a high energy spark that is timed to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside each engine cylinder at the precise time creating power and torque [turning force] which drives your vehicle.

A diesel engine uses high compression [intake air that is compressed / squished] into a very small space inside each cylinder causing extreme heat! This is called 'Heat Of Compression' which ignites a very fine high pressure mist of diesel fuel that is injected into the cylinder at the exact time.

So you now know that a gasoline engine needs a high energy spark to run while a diesel uses 'Heat Of Compression'

THE FOUR STROKE PRINCIPLE

Every engine today runs on FOUR STROKES or FOUR CYCLES- both these terms mean the same. Here is how the four stroke diesel engine operates.

The four strokes are: INTAKE-COMPRESSION-POWER-EXHAUST. The pistons, valves and injectors work together in each cylinder in a set sequence over and over.

1} INTAKE STROKE:

Intake valves in the cylinder head open allowing pressurized air to enter each cylinder while the piston is travelling downward.{the pressurized air supply is made possible by the TURBOCHARGER which pushes air into the intake system giving the diesel engine a boost of air to keep up with instantaneous injection of fuel}

2} COMPRESSION STROKE:

When the piston starts to make it's way back upward the valves close which traps the intake air in the cylinder which allows compression to take place, the HEAT OF COMPRESSION is reached when the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the diesel fuel is then injected into the cylinder at the precise time.

3} POWER STROKE:

After injection takes place an explosion occurs in the cylinder because of the combination of heat and atomized diesel fuel. This causes the piston to be forced downward which produces torque and the horsepower required from a typical diesel engine.

4} EXHAUST STROKE:

After the power stroke the piston moves upward once again while the exhaust valves open allowing the previously ignited gases to escape to the atmosphere out the exhaust system.

As mentioned before each cylinder goes through this exact sequence over and over in a set firing order. For instance, a 6 cylinder diesel engine has a firing order 1- 5- 3- 6- 2- 4 This is the order that each cylinder goes by, following the 4 strokes mentioned above. This sequence has been engineered to allow the diesel engine to run smoothly with no imbalance.

DIESEL ENGINE TRIVIA: Today's high performance diesel engines.

Fuel passes through the injector at speeds of nearly 1500 miles per hour - as fast as a jet plane at top speed.

Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in less than 1.5 milliseconds, the same time it takes for a camera flash to go off.

The minimum amount of fuel injected into a diesel engine is one cubic millimetre - about the same volume as the head of a pin.

Volkswagen has developed a 1 litre diesel powered car that got 100 kilometres out of .89 litres of fuel {60 miles on approxiamately 3/4 of a quart of fuel!}

There is much to learn about diesel engines and a ton of information online. If you have ever considered buying a vehicle with a diesel engine you have my blessing! The extra cost will be to your benefit, so I recommend finding out more about diesel engines before you decide which one to choose..

I hope you have found this information on diesel engines helpful!

John Whelan

For more information go to:
http://www.schoolbusmechanic.blogspot.com

Feel free to use this article, all I ask is that the content does not get altered.

Thank You.

Painting Your Yamaha Outboard

Because of scratches in your paint on your Yamaha outboard motor, corrosion and other damage can occur. Whenever you bumped your Yamaha engine and damaged the paint you should fix it quickly and efficiently with high quality Yamah paints and primers. They are specially developed for water sports and guarantee the best matching colors.

Before spraypainting your Yamaha outboard motor, make sure that the aluminum is well dried. This you achieve by storing the part in a dry space for a couple of days, in a dry shed for instance.

If you have stripped the aluminum Yamaha outboard parts of all paint, it is best to treat the aluminum first with sinc-primer. This will guarantee a good connection between the aluminum and the paint. The sink primer is not suited for the outboard motor top cowling, only for the aluminum and steel outboard parts.

Before you start spraypainting your outboard motor, the surface has to be well sanded, dry, without dust and be cleared of grease.

The most important part of spraypainting your Yamaha outboard motor is the sanding part. The smoother the aluminum is sanded, the more the endresult will be satisfactory. First use sanding paper that is rough, after this use more and more finer sanding paper.

It is better to apply several layers of thin spraypaint in stead of using one thick layer. Between every layer wait for a few minutes, but never longer than 30 minutes. After applying the spraypaint on your outboard parts, make sure the paint is well dried. The best is to wait for 24 hours before doing more work on your Yamaha outboard motor parts. For more info pls visit http://www.aussenbord.de/allprods.php

What Makes a Pit Bull a Pet?

The answer to that question could be the one thing that legislators all over this country need to realize. Im not writing this to bash anyone or scream about my dislike for the way specific breeds are being treated, but I am writing this in the hopes that somewhere sometime someone who makes these decisions will read this and then consider the results of their actions.

The journey for me started just 10 months ago. I never thought I would say this but I fell in love with a Pit Bull, an American Pit Bull Puppy named Donut to be exact. My sister had rescued this puppy, but soon after found that she could not handle the care and training necessary. So my wife and I decided to give that puppy a better home.

Before meeting Donut my opinion of Pit Bulls was negative. I had always thought of them has such mean dogs that didnt belong in a house with children. But something changed for me. Maybe it was that floppy right ear, or uncontrollable wagging tail, well no matter what it was I was in love.

Once Donut was settled in I really got to know this little guy, who was quickly becoming the big guy. I was amazed he took to training practically overnight and he was so full of love. But wait, this is a pit bull, a mean aggressive and dangerous dog, right?

I then learned that several neighbors of mine also had Pit Bulls. They too were very well behaved and very good around my son. This really got me thinking. Is it just media hype? Where did my misconception of pit bull behavior come from? Then I was confused even more when I heard the news of pit bulls all over being put to death just for being in the wrong city at the wrong time.

How could this happen? Lets put aside the fact that this is America and we are a free country. Those dogs didnt hurt anyone. No, this is just a knee jerk bandaid reaction to a problem that started with the owner and not the pet. I say pet and not animal. (An animal is untamed and wild. A pet is a member of the family.) Responsible pet ownership is the solution to the problem. If a child mouths off to a teacher in class we say its the parents fault, but if a dog barks and bites someone we blame the dog. Why is that? If you own a dog, care for a dog, or are just thinking about getting a dog, I urge you to take the time to train your dog properly and give them tons of love. The song doesnt just apply to people, because Love is all you need.

RP200a: Creating New Patches and Developing Your Signature Sound

Much of the information about the RP200A Artist Amp Modeling Multi-Effects Processor centers around the 80 artists and factory preset patches that come with the unit. Sounding like your favorite guitarists is a great goal. This allows you to play songs at gigs that band mates know and the audience already loves.

But if you think about it, your favorite artist had to develop their own original sound. Maybe they piggybacked from someone else's sound, too. If you've owned the RP200A Modeling Guitar Processor for any length of time, it's time to step out from behind these preset patches and begin to develop your sound.

What defines you? When are you going to sound like...you? Do you feel confident to start writing your own songs and patches? Stop focusing on the 80 presets. Begin punching your 40 patches into the storage containers that Digitech has given you. The best way to think about it is you have 40 original songs that you need to write.

How do you start creating your signature sound? Here are 5 tips to help you begin developing your own sound and patches.

[1] Think about other musical instruments. Piano, organ, slide guitar, oboe, harp, harmonica, bass, and trumpet sounds should all be punched into your unit. Create songs around these "instruments".

[2] Think about sounds for ideas. How would "clouds rolling across the sky" sound? What would a "revolution" sound like? What would be a great sound for "fear"? How about a "patriotic flag"?

[3] Start mixing guitar sounds with other earthly tones. How about distortion with a cello? What about backslap with a train off in the distance? I'd love to hear a bass guitar mimicking a huge dinosaur walking through a forest!

[4] Check out the Digitech RP200a forums for patches that users have submitted. If you're trying to develop your own sound, punch a couple of these user patches into your unit.

[5] Visit my site at http://rp200a.home.comcast.net for a comprehensive listing of all 80 of the patches that come with the DigiTech RP200A Modeling Guitar Processor. You can start from these patches to develop your own.

In conclusion, you can start making a name for yourself by writing patches for your songs. Don't worry if you can't sing. Write down your lyrics and let someone else belt out your original songs. Every cover band should include at least one song that defines them and your guitar should play a huge part in every original tune. Remember, original is as original does!

Facts About Pet Urination---3 Common Reasons For Inappropriate Pet Urination

Having a pet that urinates when and where they shouldn't is tough. Pinpointing the reason brings you closer to a solution, thus reducing the frequency and the odor. Here are 3 of the most common reasons for inappropriate urination.

Poor House Training---If you pet has come from a shelter, you'll probably never know went on with house breaking before you came on the scene. But unfortunately this can have drastic.

For instance, I was talking with a lady the other day who said her husband trained their dog to think he was a bad dog if he urinated in the yard. As a result the dog would need to be taken on a walk to empty its bladder, or when it couldn't hold it any longer, it would urinate in the house, which made the dog an even worse dog in her husband's eyes.

A poorly trained dog is often the result of human error and the pet's behavior is hard to undo once learned. Unless you are extremely experienced at correcting this kind of behavior, seeking professional help to undo the damage is the best way to proceed.

If, on the other hand, you are getting a brand new puppy, hopefully the story above will make you aware of how important proper training is. Most pets want to please, and when you set the rules so that they can, it makes a happier, healthier relationship between owner and pet; and a cleaner smelling home because you and your pet are on the same page when it comes to appropriate elimination.

Illness---Many times pets can have an underlying illness that has not been diagnosed that is causing frequent and/or uncontrolled urination. Some illnesses that can cause this to happen include bladder infection, diabetes, a blocked urethra, feline leukemia, Vulvovaginal Stenosis in female dogs, and incontinence in older dogs.

One of the side effects of steroids is that they cause pets to drink more which increases their need to urinate; and without a way to let themselves out of the house or enclosure, this can cause accidents to happen inside. Have a veterinarian give your pet a thorough exam to rule out the possibility of an illness causing the behavior.

Behavioral---Many pets, particularly dogs engage in submissive urination. This is their way of letting you know that you're the alpha in the group. This behavior can be genetic, or it can be the reaction of a pet that is afraid, anxious, or one that has been scolded frequently by its owner. It can also be the result of one of the physical issues discussed earlier in this article. So now that you know why, the question is what can be done about it.

If you scold when it is happening, it is likely to continue to occur. If you reward the deed with positive words or actions, it will definitely continue. So probably the best immediate reaction is to ignore the behavior and get professional help to correct the behavior.

Understanding what's causing the problem gets you closer to an effective solution for urine odor. And by minimizing the odor you can enjoy your home and your pet to the fullest.

What to appear for in MOT Testing Centres

The MOT is unavoidable. That makes it prime territory for cowboys, shysters and all the other forms of mechanical low life that tend to slip under the radar of the general public. The bad guys, in the mechanics trade, know that most people cant tell a brush spring from a wishbone and they use that knowledge to milk a little extra cash, here and there, from their MOT station. If a person doesnt know pistons from limiters then he or she can easily be charged a little bit more for work that doesnt need doing, when the dreaded MOT rolls around.

So how is anyone supposed to avoid the threat posed by dodgy MOT testing centres? First thing to do is look for an MOT centre that is quite happy for the customer to remain during the tests, and view them from a viewing area. If asked, the garage or mechanics running the MOT station should be happy to explain the tests, and to go through anything they feel needs fixing, in detail, with a customer before proceeding. The best MOT test depots tend to have big public information posters next to their MOT observation bays, which run through, in clear language, every step a mechanic will be taking over the course of the hour. Trustworthy MOT testing centres all tend to be open and honest, with plenty of display about the MOT, and viewing areas clearly marked. If one goes to an MOT station and feels that the answers one is getting are evasive, or that the staff are clearly not interested in giving out information, theres a simple remedy: drive off and find somewhere else.

By the same token that marks the MOT as good feeding ground for sharks, its also a fine opportunity to exercise a little customer power. Unfortunately, thats not always as easy as it sounds the dodgy MOT testing centres are almost always staffed by mechanics who try and push a customer into having their MOT done with them. Theyll make all sorts of disparaging comments about the garage down the road; theyll adopt that father knows best sort of air, friendly but condescending, as if to say, now, we know youre worried that we wont do a good job but youll regret it if you dont choose us. Ultimately, its down to the strength of will of the customer suspecting and MOT station of being less than kosher to walk away. The more people that do, the fewer suspect MOT testing centres there will be.

A car is an important piece of equipment, liberating and wholly necessary. Its also the most common cause of death in the UK. That, of course, is why the MOT is so important and why its proven so easy for unscrupulous MOT depots to have their wicked way with the wallets of non-expert vehicle owners. Apply a little common sense, though, to the choice of an MOT station and one is very rarely disappointed. Adopt one simple rule, when approaching MOT testing centres, and everything will run smoothly both in the vehicle and on the wallet. If in doubt, walk out.