Diesel Fuel Sampling and Laboratory Analysis for a Perth Business
Identifying Contamination Before It Causes Costly Equipment Damage
Perth, Western Australia
Diesel fuel doesn't always look contaminated, but that doesn't mean it's clean. For one Perth-based business with on-site diesel storage, concerns about fuel quality led them to engage Handy Fuel WA to carry out a formal sampling and laboratory analysis program. The results identified contamination that, left untreated, could have caused significant damage to vehicles and equipment relying on that fuel supply.
We'd been chasing filter problems for months without knowing why. The sampling identified the issue straight away. Handy Fuel WA sorted it out quickly and gave us the information we needed to stop it happening again.
Contaminated diesel is one of the most common and most preventable causes of fuel system damage and equipment downtime. Handy Fuel WA provides professional diesel fuel sampling and laboratory analysis services across Perth and Western Australia. If you're experiencing filter issues, poor equipment performance, or simply want confidence in your fuel quality, our team can carry out a thorough sampling program and provide clear, actionable results. Contact us to arrange a fuel quality assessment.
Fuel Sampling & Analysis
The client operated a fleet of diesel vehicles and plant equipment refuelled from an on-site storage tank. Over time, some vehicles had been experiencing filter blockages and minor performance issues that the maintenance team had been unable to attribute to a clear cause. A decision was made to have the fuel tested properly rather than continue replacing filters without understanding the underlying problem.
Handy Fuel WA attended site and carried out a structured fuel sampling process, drawing samples from multiple points in the storage system, including the tank bottom, mid-column, and from the dispenser outlet. Correct sampling procedure is critical to getting accurate lab results, as poorly drawn samples can miss contamination that is present in the tank but not evenly distributed throughout the fuel.
Samples were submitted to a registered laboratory for full diesel analysis, covering key parameters including water content, microbial activity, particulate count, fuel stability, and adherence to the relevant AS fuel quality standard.
Results returned confirmed elevated water content and a moderate level of microbial contamination, commonly referred to as diesel bug. The microbial growth was the likely cause of the filter blockages, as bacterial colonies in diesel produce a biomass that readily clogs filters and fuel system components.
Handy Fuel WA provided the client with a written lab report and recommendations, which included a fuel polishing and biocide treatment program to remediate the contamination. Follow-up samples were taken after treatment to confirm the fuel had returned to an acceptable standard.
The client was also advised on storage practices to reduce the risk of future contamination, including tank inspection frequency and the use of preventative fuel additives.