During sea trials, the engine should be shifted from slow ahead to reverse, and the boat then backed down at around 50-percent throttle for a few seconds, while observing the engine feet. If the engine is below the waterline, check for the existence of a vented loop on the raw-water circuit. Remove a sample of diesel fuel and fill the test bottle. That's why it is important to check your fuel quality to prevent these problems caused by bad fuels and to save you from profound and costly effects on your engine. Testing capabilities include ultra-low sulfur diesel, biodiesel blends and more. At best the engine will lose power at high loads because of the obstructed exhaust system, and at worst, there will be a substantial loss of compression requiring an expensive overhaul. You want to know that this has been done diligently. Is the vegetable glycerin used in e-cigarette vaping made as a byproduct of soap or biodiesel or are they all the same? If there is not a significant difference (a minimum of 10˚F once an engine has warmed up and is under load) the heat exchanger is either seeing a lack of flow, or else is scaled up. Testing capabilities include ultra-low sulfur diesel… If possible, I try to draw a sample of fuel from the lowest point in the fuel tank, using a small manual pump and a jelly jar. There are two main components to the fuel gauge system: the sender unit that measures the amount of fuel in the tank, and the gauge itself that displays the amount of fuel to the driver. Microbial Contamination in Diesel Fuel. Handle methanol with extreme care. Most times, this survey will give you a pretty good sense of impending and potentially expensive problems. Do not attempt to synthesize biodiesel around children or animals. Intertek is a world leader in diesel fuel testing and fuel quality control, operating diesel fuel laboratories across the world. If the tank is clean, then most likely the fuel system has been seeing clean fuel. It is also poisonous and can cause blindness if inhaled or ingested. To make bio diesel, make sure that you're working in a clinical lab setting such as a laboratory at a college or research institution. FOI Laboratories is an industry-leading fuel testing, analysis and research laboratory. Home; Our Fuels; About Us; Careers; Contact Us; How To Check Fuel Quality . White smoke may be caused by water vapor in the exhaust—which, if the engine does not overheat at higher loads, is not a problem—or unburned diesel. No ASTM specification, however, any presence indicates a need for fuel treatment. Stiff or sticking cables may just need lubricating, but probably need replacing. The mixture should separate into two layers - biodiesel and glycerin. First, hook the test-light clip to a bolt or bare metal bracket on the engine. The warmer an engine, the easier it is to start even with substandard compression. Also, make sure there is adequate access to maintain the shaft seal, as some require the engine to be removed, making routine seal maintenance expensive. If rust is present, inferior hose clamps have been used, in which case the screws are not 300-series corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Our capabilities include diesel fuel analysis of ULSD ( Ultra Low sulphur diesel Fuel), BS IV Fuel, BS VI Fuel, Euro VI and Marine Diesel Fuel Analysis. Making Biodiesel requires the use of flammable, toxic liquids and strong caustics to make a fuel. Keep a bottle of vinegar on hand - in the event you splash any lye on your skin, rinse the area immediately with vinegar to neutralize the chemical, then rinse with water. Laboratory staff then measure the quantity of microbial colonies formed on the medium and use the results to make an assessment of the fuel. A generator is only as good as the fuel that feeds it. Unplug the electrical connector from the fuel injector you want to test. If it is not working, who knows what harmful conditions may have been overlooked. While waiting, heat vegetable oil to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, then add it to the mixture and blend it for 30 minutes. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Up to 50 hours or more after an oil change, it should still have an element of translucency to it. All Rights Reserved. Yes, you can use any alkyl alcohol. With biodiesel, the volume of glycerine has increased dramatically. You will not be able to do anything about this, and if the engine is otherwise running fine, you may choose to ignore it. The production of glycerine can be done with a variety of different feedstocks and minor variations in the process, but the end result, glycerine is chemically identical. If you have a chance to put sampling flange it continuously take the droplets for a "good" sample. Want to learn more about Maintaining and Troubleshooting Diesel Engines? The ensuing reaction between the methanol and lye produces sodium methoxide. Using a voltmeter to perform an injector voltage supply test requires an assistant and is an important safety step to prevent major engine damage. If you are buying a used boat, the first thing to do is look for an hour meter and a maintenance log book, which you hope show regular oil and filter changes and other periodic maintenance undertaken by the previous owner. We'll walk you through the simple steps and information you'll need to know to get started making your own fuel and driving past the gas stations!