MotorHome Tech Tips

Fueling with Diesel

Fueling with Diesel

Diesel injection systems are comprised of precision parts machined to very close tolerances. It is vital to the health of diesel injection systems that we buy and use clean fuel. Since there is no way to tell if fuel purchased at a given location may contain water, algae or other contaminants it is a good practice to avoid small gas stations that sell diesel as a side line. It is best to fuel up at large, clean truck stops that sell a large volume of fuel. Not all diesel coaches have fueling available on both sides and often they are unable to fuel from the large nozzles used for trucks, therefore if a coach only fills from one side it is important for the coach owner to know that so that he doesn't get in on the wrong side. At truck stops, usually (not always) the island pumps on the side closest to the office have smaller regular nozzle-type pumps that have the, so that RV's, coaches and pick-up trucks that cannot accept the larger high volume nozzles have a place to fill up where the large trucks usually don't go. It is more important to tell people to buy fuel from a source that is selling a large volume and known to sell clean fuel free of water and contaminants.

Check the water separator for contaminants periodically. If there seem to be excessive accumulation of contaminants, that may be an indication that the last fuel stop sold contaminated fuel. It is also a good idea to keep the fuel tank topped off while the coach is in storage to minimize moisture accumulation. Once a year the fuel tank sump should be drained into a clean white bucket to remove accumulated contaminants. It is enough to drain just 3-4 gallons. The clean fuel can be filtered off and poured back into the tank. Use a good fuel additive such as Howeis. These fuel additives remove moisture and minimize algae growth.

Caution: The maintenance recommendations on this page are meant as general guidelines only. Always consult with a professional RV mechanic, your owner's manual, and/or your authorized RV dealer BEFORE performing any maintenance procedures. See 'Legal Disclaimer' below.

Legal Disclaimer & Caution: Before using any advice, and/or performing any maintenance procedures recommended on this website you should consult with your RV dealer, and/or a professional Motorhome or RV mechanic. The recommendations and advice given on this website are intended as general guidelines ONLY, and may not pertain to your particular make and/or model of RV or Motorhome. Use these suggestions, repair tips, and/or maintenance advice AT YOUR OWN RISK. Under no circumstances will this website, or any of its officers or employees be liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages even if appraised of the likelihood of such damages occurring. The owners of this website do not warrant the information against errors, omissions or deficiencies of any kind.

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