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What’s worse than dragging out the pressure washer after a period of storage, only to have it sputter and refuse to start? Poor quality, stale, or contaminated fuel can wreak havoc on your equipment and cause it to malfunction. Today we’ll be discussing the effects of using “bad” fuel, and what you can do to avoid it.

The Cost

We’ll come right out and say it: if you allow contaminants to enter your fuel tank, resins and gums may form that can clog and destroy your engine. This could result in thousands of dollars to repair or replace, and can happen to equipment owned by individuals or businesses alike conducting power washing in Chicago, IL.

Avoiding Fuel Contamination

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to minimize the possibility of contamination. It all starts with following best practices for fuel usage! Here are a few tips:

Drain Your Tanks Into a Dedicated Container

We recommend emptying fuel from your equipment in between uses. To make sure that you are using a container that will not deteriorate over time, it is best to use a receptacle designed for this purpose. It’s important to use a vessel with a tight seal that will keep both air and moisture out.

Use a Fuel Stabilizer

Adding a fuel stabilizer to your supply is a great way to help ensure the shelf life of your fuel. If you are an individual who is doing a small or moderate amount of power washing in Chicago, IL, it may be tempting to add kerosene or another chemical to try to ‘stretch’ your supply. Never do this! This can result in sticky, damaging residue.

Change Your Fuel Filter Regularly

Sticking with the manufacturer-directed maintenance schedule for your engine is your best shot at a long lifespan for your equipment. Fuel filters, while very effective if used properly, can become ineffective when soiled beyond the recommended level.

Though bad fuel can seriously damage your equipment, it’s possible that some degrees of damage may be repairable. Contact us for more information or to schedule a repair service.

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