DJ Says Your Diesel Fuel Might Not Be as Clean as You Think.

In Alice Springs and along major highways, fuel quality is generally fine. Go further remote — roadhouses, stations, small communities — and the picture gets more complicated.

Diesel that has been sitting in a storage tank for months in extreme heat, or that has been exposed to contamination, can cause real problems for modern common rail diesel engines.

Water in diesel: Water contamination — from condensation in storage tanks or from rain ingress — is the most common issue. Water doesn't compress, doesn't lubricate, and doesn't burn. In a common rail system running at 1,800+ bar injection pressure, water contamination can cause rapid injector damage.

Old or degraded diesel: Diesel that has been sitting for extended periods oxidises and forms sediment. That sediment loads up your fuel filter and can partially block injectors.

Wrong fuel: Less common but still happens — misfuelling with petrol, or diesel with a different lubricity rating than expected.

Your diesel has a primary fuel filter and, on most modern vehicles, a water separator with a drain. Check the water separator bowl regularly — particularly after buying fuel from unfamiliar roadhouses. If it's showing water, drain it.

Change your fuel filter at the logbook interval — and more often if you've been fuelling from remote locations.

If your engine starts running roughly, losing power, or smoking shortly after fuelling — particularly at a remote location — suspect fuel contamination. Stop driving if you can, call us. Running contaminated fuel through a common rail system can cause injector damage that is expensive to repair.

Smart Offroad Mechanical | [phone] | Alice Springs