Top Service Tips for Hard Working Diesel Engines For Operating at Peak Performance

Yesterday we wrote about three reasons diesel engines overheat. Upon seeing today's article about maintenance, it seemed like a good follow up and worth sharing. Rental is a publication for construction pros, but it's relevance is for everyone who owns a hard working diesel.

As we all know, there have been lots of changes in engine technology the past two decades, and this current decade we're seeing an increased transition for diesel to EV in many realms. In this article the author, Alexis Sheprak, reached out to three leading engine manufacturers to discuss some of the challenges this presents along with tips on how to improve the way we take  care of our equipment.

The three manufacturers she spoke with are Cummins, Perkins and Hatz. The question she asked was "What are your top five service tips for larger diesel engines to maintain peak performance year-round?" Here are the suggestions Rental's readers received. For the purpose of brevity, the suggestions are abbreviated and paraphrased. You will find a link to the full article at the end of this post.

Hatz
1. Follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in the owner's manual. If you're working in a harsh environment, however, make adjustments accordingly. (He uses the example of air filters plugging sooner than normal in extremely dusty environments.)

2. Because their is more electronics on engines these days, use more care when power washing.

3. Monitor your diesel particulate filter (DPF). Do not ignore warnings.

4. If you're running idle much of the day or low-load conditions, "make sure you run the engine at full load for at least 30 minutes at the end of a shift to ensure the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is reaching the appropriate burn out temperatures."

5. Pay attention to engine codes, and have them diagnosed as early as possible.

Cummins
1. Use the correct parts.

2. Following recommended maintenance schedules is critical. "Preventive maintenance saves fuel costs, major repairs in the long-term, and maximizes the productivity and life of the engine."

3. Use the correct fuel, oil and DEF. (Also, regularly check tire air pressure and air filter cleanliness.)

4. Engine filters are becoming more technically advanced. Make sure you are using filters that meet standards.

5. If you have a Cummins, they direct you to their service website, quickserve.cummins.com.  Enter your serial number and you're good to go.

Perkins
1. "Engine oil sampling, change intervals and oil grades." Keeping your oil health is critical, especially heavy working engines under load.

2. "Coolant condition and system performance." Overheating does all kinds of damage as we noted here yesterday.

3. Pay attention to fuel cleanliness and filtration. Failure to pay attention to these will cost you money down the road as it impacts fuel pumps and injectors.

4. Be sure you adjust for the seasons. (Here are some winter maintenance tips from the Blue Flame team.)

5. DEF handling and cleanliness. Also, when storing DEF keep it out of direct sunlight in a cooler storage area. It should not be above 95 degrees F.

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Additional questions that these engine professionals answered were as follows:

Q: New advanced engines and cooling systems are changing cooling system maintenance requirements. What should rental houses pay attention to when it comes to cooling systems?

Q: What about proper fuel maintenance?

Q: What technologies are available to help monitor engine performance and manage service schedules?

Q: I know there’s been a big push lately for more sustainability. What are some of the latest advancements in fuel types? And what should rental equipment owners be aware of about them?

Q: What’s next for engine technology?

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This article is packed with valuable, authoritative information. You can find the full article here: Diesel Engine Maintenance Tips for Peak Performance

What Are the Three Main Causes of Diesel Engines Overheating?

On Monday Truck Parts & Service published an article about the causes of diesel engines overheating. Being that we are currently experiencing one of our hotter summers on record, it seems like a good time to review causes of overheating diesels. This particular article by Bill Grabarek is addressed to heavy diesel equipment, but it applies to all hardworking diesel engines. 

An overheating engine can produce serious damage. Head gasket failure and cracked cylinder heads will give you more than a head-ache. Sometimes the damage is so severe, such as a cracked engine block, that it is irreparable.

Perhaps you have had the experience of trying to remove a metal lid that is stuck on a glass jar. One way that often works is to run it under hot water. The heat causes the metal to expand, liberating the lid from where it has adhered to the glass. 

This principle of thermal expansion is what's going on when your engine gets hot. The author points out that the normal operating temps for an engine should be between 190 and 220 degrees. Increased temperatures beyond that will put stress on the cylinder head, liners and engine block, he says. Overheating beyond these acceptable ranges "causes these parts to expand beyond the engine's tolerances." To fix the damage can run into thousands of dollars, and for larger heavy equipment the bill can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. 

All this to say that it's worth reminding ourselves of a few basic steps to avoid such a disaster. In short, a stitch in time saves nine. This is the essence of preventative maintenance.

Mr. Grabarek cites three basic causes of diesels overheating. 

Low Coolant Level or Coolant Loss
One cannot assume that they won't overheat, even if they have the correct coolant level according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Nevertheless, it is important to routinely check fluid levels because this is the first sign you'll have that there is coolant loss taking place. 

There are a variety of areas where one can have coolant leaks. Hoses, gaskets, water pump, thermostat, heater or freeze plugs are just a few places to look. Often you can smell a coolant leak. A cracked cylinder head can also be the culprit, which will sometimes produce white smoke from the tailpipe. 

Air Pockets in the Cooling System
This is a problem that can develop when replacing coolant, or when the  coolant has been drained for a repair job. Air pockets may form when refilling. These air bubbles can interfere with the flow of coolant through the hoses. If these air pockets aren't bled from the system the engine can overheat. 

Faulty Thermostat
Thermostats regulate the amount and flow of coolant by responding to temperature changes in the engine. When the engine gets too hot the thermostat opens to allow more coolant to flow through. Thermostats are a valve that can sometimes get stuck, however. In such cases they need to be replaced.

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The article ends with instructions on how to bleed the air from your cooling system. You can read the full story here.