September 2018

Maintain Your Propane Fuel Tanks

The fuel tank is at the heart of our propane autogas fuel system. Like any other part, you need to consider preventative maintenance.

The propane fuel tank should be inspected during each regular preventative maintenance interval or, at a minimum, annually. Look for signs of corrosion, peeling paint or rock chips.

With time, you may see this normal wear and tear.

Rust or corrosion on the propane tank does not necessarily mean there’s an issue. Propane autogas fuel tanks are designed with strict guidelines to meet or exceed the corrosion and structure requirements for vehicles. But just like with frame rails, axles and suspension components, the tanks will develop rust or corrosion over time.

If operating the vehicle in higher corrosion areas or severe climates, it’s recommended by tank manufactures to routinely clean and repaint the fuel tank with a rust preventative system. If the rust or corrosion seems excessive or concerning, then it’s recommended that the fuel tank be inspected by an ASME-certified repair facility to ensure the tank can stay in service.

Keep in mind that the fuel tanks we use are built to ASME standards and are rated for the usable life of the vehicle when properly maintained. Most propulsion propane tanks are built to stricter ASME standards. This is different than DOT tanks that have a more limited service life. A propane fuel tank should never need to be removed and replaced at any point during the vehicle’s life cycle.

Complete instructions and frequently asked questions can be found on our website in the Service section. For instructions, see “Tank Refinishing Procedure,” and for a downloadable list of FAQ, see “Tank Refinishing FAQ.”

If you have a concern with the integrity of the fuel tank, contact the National Board for tank refinishing at http://www.nationalboard.org/ManufacturerDirectory.aspx.

For other questions about fuel tank preventative maintenance, please contact Mario Genovese at Mario.Genovese@roush.com.

What’s New with HD-OBD

The regulations for heavy duty-onboard diagnostics (HD-OBD) have been updated to include 2018+ alternatively fueled medium-duty vehicles. ROUSH CleanTech is the first propane autogas fuel system manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board’s HD-OBD certification for all its engines. Until 2018 model year, alternative fuel vehicles were exempt from this certification, but are now held to the same requirements as gasoline vehicles.

Keep in mind that this is an emission regulatory standard that requires new vehicle monitor parameters and reporting. We are ready to meet these regulations with a 50-state certified system for all our vehicle platforms.

What does this mean to you? The check engine light will illuminate for more conditions — most notably evaporative emissions systems. ROUSH CleanTech uses an evaporative emissions system to depressurize fuel rails after shutdown, allowing better vehicle starting and injector life.

Our service manuals have been updated with the new monitored parameters to help you diagnose vehicle issues. They contain helpful descriptions and causes for diagnostics trouble codes related to the fuel system. Be sure to download the latest version at roushcleantech.com/service.

If you have any questions about HD-OBD, please contact Lance Suttle at Lance.Suttle@roush.com.