Diesel Fuel/Water Separation Test Methods—Where We Are and Where We Are Going

With the automotive industry using high-pressure common rail fuel systems to meet current and future emissions requirements, water removal is even more critical to extend the life of these fuel systems. To meet this challenge, the automotive industry is attempting to improve the current water removal test methods. International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and Technical Specification (TS) 16332 [1] and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1488 [2] are the two major standardized test methods used by the automotive industry at this time. ISO/TS 16332 is replacing ISO 4020 [3] and SAE J1488 is still the U.S. National test method. ISO/TS 16322 is still being developed at the time of the writing. The SAE Filter Test Methods Committee (FTMC) is incorporating improved methodologies to SAE J1488 to improve our National test method and meet the automotive industry's needs. This paper will discuss only the SAE FTMC action items and results.