A diesel bug is a microscopic organism found in a diesel engine. As fuel testing expert Conidia explains, the most common types of diesel bugs cause various problems, including reduced fuel efficiency, black smoke coming from the exhaust, and engine failure.
The good news is that many diesel bug species are easy to identify. With the right equipment, you can screen your diesel engine for a diesel bug and quickly identify the treatment needed to eliminate the bug and prevent future problems. Here is everything you need to know about rapid screening for diesel bugs.
The Benefits of Rapid Screening for Diesel Bug
You will know the proper treatment for the diesel bug
It may be difficult to remove a diesel engine from service for an extended period due to the expense and time required to treat it. Some types of these bugs are extremely resistant and can take months, or even years, to completely remove.
In some cases, you may never know you had a diesel bug until months after the inappropriate repairs have been made. When you get your initial diagnostic results back, you will already have a treatment plan in place that is tailored specifically to your engine’s needs.
You Can Protect Future Engines from These Bugs
This is another reason all motor mechanics and repair professionals need to use rapid screening for diesel bugs when working on their vehicles.
Once an engine has been shown by the testing equipment to contain a diesel bug or other harmful organisms such as fungi spores, mould or mildew spores or bloodroot, something must be done immediately to prevent further damage.
You Can Get Low-Cost, Quick Results
At the very least, knowing that you are damaging your engines by not inspecting the fuel system thoroughly is a sure-fire way to keep your garage looking presentable and professional.
However, at the same time, being able to protect your customers from experiencing premature engine damage due to these bugs.
4 Tips for Protecting Your Engines from Diesel Bugs
The first step to avoiding the diesel bug is protecting your engines. Here are a few tips to help you do exactly that.
- Properly Fill the Tank
Do not fill the tank too full. Remember that gasoline has less than 100% octane, meaning that even if it does have 100 octanes, it will not be suitable for a high-performance engine.
Diesel fuel contains more than 100% octane and is used in most heavy-duty trucks, buses and any vehicle or engine that operates at higher speeds where the RPMs are much higher than the gasoline equivalent. This makes the diesel fuel much better for your machines to run on.
- Properly Maintain Your Engine’s Air Filter
Your air filter should be changed once you’ve driven over 500 miles; better yet, why not change it every two weeks? The testing equipment showed that this reduces airborne particles in your engines by 50%.
A common bacteria found on air filters called Staphylococcus Aureus can cause corrosion in heavily contaminated engines (needing to be replaced on average every 5,000 miles). They can lead to engine failure if not properly maintained.
- Run a Proper Synthetic Oil Change
A synthetic oil change is one of the top steps for keeping your engine running well. The best thing about this oil is that it does not require a filter, yet it outperforms all conventional oils by 10 – 30%.
Synthetics do not produce soot, sludge or waste and reduce combustion chamber deposits, reducing wear and keeping engines running at peak performance. These oils are more efficient and last up to twice as long as conventional oils due to fewer breakdown products during combustion.
- Maintain Your Radiator
Your radiators should be checked once every two weeks for coolant leaks and fluid levels. If you have an air-conditioning system with separate condensers, check your water heaters.
More than half of all coolant leaks are caused by insufficient or inadequate coolant systems maintenance. This, in turn, causes your engines to function ineffectively and increase the parasitic drag.
Rapid Screening for Diesel Bug Final Thoughts
There is no question that the risks of using sub-standard fuel for your vehicles can lead to long-term damage and costly repairing of engines. Like many other associated inspections routinely done, the diesel bug is one of the most overlooked or least prioritized. However, by understanding the risks, you can easily remediate the issue in good time and salvage your engine.
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