2. Abrasive particles, in addition to the risk of blocking the fuel filter and clogging the fuel lines, lead to wear of the injection system elements, and, accordingly, to a decrease in the power developed by the engine, and, ultimately, to failure of the high-pressure fuel pump and injectors.
3. Water appears in the fuel system as a result of filling with low-quality fuel, as well as as a result of condensation of moisture present in the atmospheric air. In addition to the development of corrosion on the metal components of the fuel system, water entering the engine cylinders is especially dangerous. Diesel engines have a very high compression ratio, and water is a virtually incompressible physical substance - even a small amount of water entering the cylinders of a running engine can lead to engine failure due to hydraulic shock. It is necessary to drain water/sediment from the fuel filter in a timely manner (see Chapter 1, Section 8).
Note: Diesel fuel storage tanks (including both large tanks and vehicle fuel tanks) are more susceptible to moisture formation than gasoline storage tanks, since the vapor pressure of the latter is significantly higher. In order to minimize the ingress of condensate into the fuel, try to keep the tank full at all times and avoid long periods of vehicle downtime.
4. If small particles of dirt or natural water contamination of the fuel occur, it is sufficient to perform maintenance work in a timely manner. In case of severe contamination of the fuel system as a result of any special circumstances (dropped a piece of rag into the tank, filled the tank with very poor quality fuel, strong corrosion development, untimely transition to winter fuel, and as a result - paraffin in the fuel lines, etc.) a complete system cleanup is required.
5. Completely empty and remove the fuel tank (see Section 10). Note: Drained fuel should not be reused. Wash the tank thoroughly, flush it from the inside with clean diesel fuel/petrol. Using a flashlight, make sure the inside walls of the tank are absolutely clean. If you cannot completely remove all deposits by flushing, use steam cleaning.
6. If paraffin forms in the diesel fuel, disconnect the fuel supply and return lines, remove the fuel filter and flush the fuel lines with clean fuel.
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7. Replace the fuel filter, reinstall the tank, reconnect the fuel lines to their original connections, and fill the tank with clean diesel fuel. Bleed the system (see Section 4). At the first stage of vehicle operation, make sure that the power supply system is fully restored to working order.
8. If there is a suspicion that the fuel injection pump is dirty, it must also be thoroughly cleaned. Do not attempt to carry out this procedure yourself - entrust it to car service specialists.
9. Special additives that prevent the formation of microorganisms and water condensation are always available in car accessory stores - consult with official Opel representatives about which additives are approved for use in a specific car. Manufacturers of high-quality fuel themselves add such additives to diesel fuel.
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