Episode 195: The Million Dollar Mistake: How Contaminated Fuel Took Down 110 Fleet Engines

“By the time we figured it out, we had to replace 110 engines—10% of the fleet. All because of bad fuel.” – Dave Persad

Episode Summary

What happens when your vehicles are running perfectly one week—and the next, you’re replacing 110 engines?

In this gripping episode of The Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton sits down with award-winning fleet manager Dave Persad to uncover one of the most catastrophic fuel contamination events in fleet history. Dave walks us through a nightmare scenario that began with a few strange service calls and escalated into a full-blown crisis affecting hundreds of vehicles.

This isn’t just a horror story—it’s a masterclass in leadership, diagnostics, resilience, and how to turn chaos into a controlled comeback.

Fleet managers, buckle up—this episode is a must-listen if you want to protect your team, your equipment, and your reputation from unexpected disasters.

Key Takeaways

• Bad fuel can destroy your fleet – Learn how fuel contamination silently compromised engines before anyone knew what was happening.
  
  
• Relationships are critical in a crisis – Strong dealership and vendor relationships can be the difference between weeks and months of downtime.
  
  
• Documentation is your legal shield – Dave shares how detailed work orders and PM records saved his team from blame and supported insurance/legal claims.
  
  
• Fleet success relies on preparation – Discover how Dave’s team managed to keep operations going with backup vehicles, leases, and strategic planning.
  
  
• Testing your fuel isn't optional – Implement rolling 30-day sampling to avoid hidden contamination disasters.

Speaker Bios

Dave Persad
Fleet Manager, City of Boynton Beach
With over a decade of award-winning fleet leadership, Dave has led multiple programs to national recognition, including five consecutive placements on the “100 Best Fleets” list. He’s also a Leading Fleets recipient and has overseen crisis-level repairs with incredible finesse. Dave currently manages the Boynton Beach fleet and is known for his practical expertise, operational discipline, and collaborative leadership style.

Marc Canton
VP of Product & Consulting, RTA: The Fleet Success Company
Marc brings extensive experience in fleet operations and a sharp strategic lens to every conversation. As the host of The Fleet Success Show, he digs into the realities of fleet leadership and pulls out actionable insights for RTA customers and the wider fleet community.

PODCAST HOT TAKES:

We Had to Replace 110 Fleet Engines—Because of Bad Fuel 😱

How We Kept Police Cruisers on the Road with 110 Vehicles Down 🚔

“It Wasn’t Us.” How Documentation Cleared Our Fleet Team from Blame

Fuel Tank Mayhem: The Hidden Costs of a Contamination Crisis