Whether it is a fuel tank in a vehicle or a large on-site fuel storage tank, the presence of water in fuel is bad news. Fuel contamination by water can have dangerous and costly consequences, which is why it’s important to perform regular tank maintenance and fuel testing.

In this article, we identify the dangers associated with water in fuel, how it can occur and the most effective method for fuel tank testing.

Dangers of water in fuel

Depending on how much water is present, an engine may suffer anything from intermittent power loss to engine failure. This is because fundamentally water will not compress in an engine cylinder.

In truth, any water in your fuel tank is harmful as it destroys the lubrication properties of fuel and can quickly scour or blow injector tips/pumps. The presence of water in fuel can also cause an engine to cool too quickly and potentially crack core components.

Bacteria and fungus can also breed in water, which over time can produce acids that affect fuel quality, clog filters and cause storage tanks to corrode.

How water gets in

If fuel storage tanks are not properly sealed or maintained, rain can seep in. In cooler weather, storage tanks are also susceptible to condensation as lower ambient temperatures can result in water accumulation.

Testing for water in fuel storage tanks

Regular testing of your fuel supplies is necessary to ensure the utmost quality. If water is present, fuel will appear visibly darker than normal. You may also see signs of microbe growth, which is usually accompanied by a foul smell.

Testing for water in fuel storage tanks requires a special water-detecting paste, such as Kolor Kut. As water has a greater density than fuel, it gravitates to the bottom of the tank. As such, Kolor Kut’s Water Finding Paste is applied to a rod/dipstick or weighted string and dipped to the bottom of the tank. If the paste comes into contact with water it will immediately turn a brilliant red and give a visual indication as to the depth of the water present.

Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste is suitable for use with petrol, diesel, kerosene, gas oil, heating oil and lubricating oil.

FREE fuel health check with BFA

If there’s a chance your on-site fuel storage tanks have been contaminated by water, provide free water test checks and a cost-effective way to remove it. To get your project back on track quickly and avoid costly delays, contact Bulk Fuel Australia today on 1300 57 9990.