DO YOU KNOW HOW ADULTERATED FUEL DAMAGES YOUR VEHICLE?
With prices sky high, saving on fuel is almost a must, isn't it? However, when choosing any station, you run the risk of ending up with an adulterated fuel in the tank and, as we know, this is very harmful. But, after all, what kind of damage can occur? For more insights jump to: signs of a bad fuel filter
In this text, we will explain which components suffer the most from these frauds, some abnormal behaviors that usually appear and much more! Check out!
What are the main damages that tampering causes to the vehicle?
In most modern vehicles, electronic fuel injection—more specifically, fuel injection nozzles—is the first system we think will be damaged by adulterated fuel, whether it's gasoline, ethanol, or diesel. In fact, it can really be quite harmed, even more when there is the presence of solvents, kerosene, water or other impurities in the mixture.
However, the problem usually goes further. In gasoline, ethanol or flex vehicles, the spark plugs, the fuel pump, the pre-filter and filter, the lambda probe and the catalyst, for example, also suffer a lot. This is because products that are mixed tend to attack the components. Also, hoses and seals are damaged, which tends to cause leaks.
In diesel engines the damage is similar and the damage is usually much greater. The new Brazilian fuel, with low sulfur content and a percentage of biodiesel, tends to degrade quickly when adulterated. The result is the formation of a kind of “slime”, which mainly attacks the injection pump, the nozzles and all the filters in the feeding system.
Another serious problem that an adulterated fuel tends to cause is the formation of residues, which accumulate in the combustion chambers, valves and piston heads. But when the mixed substance does not burn, it is even worse: the contaminant runs down the cylinders, attacks the lubricating oil and can even melt the engine. Therefore, it is always good to pay attention to the signals your vehicle gives. Are we going to them?
In this text, we will explain which components suffer the most from these frauds, some abnormal behaviors that usually appear and much more! Check out!
What are the main damages that tampering causes to the vehicle?
In most modern vehicles, electronic fuel injection—more specifically, fuel injection nozzles—is the first system we think will be damaged by adulterated fuel, whether it's gasoline, ethanol, or diesel. In fact, it can really be quite harmed, even more when there is the presence of solvents, kerosene, water or other impurities in the mixture.
However, the problem usually goes further. In gasoline, ethanol or flex vehicles, the spark plugs, the fuel pump, the pre-filter and filter, the lambda probe and the catalyst, for example, also suffer a lot. This is because products that are mixed tend to attack the components. Also, hoses and seals are damaged, which tends to cause leaks.
In diesel engines the damage is similar and the damage is usually much greater. The new Brazilian fuel, with low sulfur content and a percentage of biodiesel, tends to degrade quickly when adulterated. The result is the formation of a kind of “slime”, which mainly attacks the injection pump, the nozzles and all the filters in the feeding system.
Another serious problem that an adulterated fuel tends to cause is the formation of residues, which accumulate in the combustion chambers, valves and piston heads. But when the mixed substance does not burn, it is even worse: the contaminant runs down the cylinders, attacks the lubricating oil and can even melt the engine. Therefore, it is always good to pay attention to the signals your vehicle gives. Are we going to them?
What signs indicate that the fuel may be tampered with?
One of the first symptoms, which you will soon notice, is increased consumption. Often, it also comes with a loss of income. You know those myths about gasoline and ethanol that say additive versions yield more? This is not true, but the “named” fuel certainly reduces efficiency.
Engine failure or difficulty starting are also strong signs that something is wrong with the fuel, especially if they start after a refueling. Even the sound during operation can indicate a problem, especially in accelerations, when there is a detonation noise, popularly known as “pin strike”.
Also be aware of the smell coming out of the exhaust. Adulterations with the use of solvents or kerosene are easily noticed after the combustion process. In extreme cases, when the concentration of impurities is too high, the electronic injection can end up detecting the problem and going into “safe mode” to protect the engine. When this happens, the system warning light usually comes on on the dashboard.
How to identify if the fuel is adulterated?
But after all, to identify if the mixture is adulterated, is it necessary to put it in the tank and wait for signs and damage to the vehicle? No—in fact, that's not a good idea. The ideal is to ask for a test to be taken at no cost, and it has to be done in front of you.
Whenever you are going to refuel at an unknown gas station or notice that there has been any change in the vehicle's behavior, ask for an evaluation, it is your right.
One of the first symptoms, which you will soon notice, is increased consumption. Often, it also comes with a loss of income. You know those myths about gasoline and ethanol that say additive versions yield more? This is not true, but the “named” fuel certainly reduces efficiency.
Engine failure or difficulty starting are also strong signs that something is wrong with the fuel, especially if they start after a refueling. Even the sound during operation can indicate a problem, especially in accelerations, when there is a detonation noise, popularly known as “pin strike”.
Also be aware of the smell coming out of the exhaust. Adulterations with the use of solvents or kerosene are easily noticed after the combustion process. In extreme cases, when the concentration of impurities is too high, the electronic injection can end up detecting the problem and going into “safe mode” to protect the engine. When this happens, the system warning light usually comes on on the dashboard.
How to identify if the fuel is adulterated?
But after all, to identify if the mixture is adulterated, is it necessary to put it in the tank and wait for signs and damage to the vehicle? No—in fact, that's not a good idea. The ideal is to ask for a test to be taken at no cost, and it has to be done in front of you.
Whenever you are going to refuel at an unknown gas station or notice that there has been any change in the vehicle's behavior, ask for an evaluation, it is your right.