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

Basic Fundamentals for Adding Life to Your Diesel Engine

Last week The Intelligent Driver published an article on how to increase the lifespan of your diesel engine. Zeid Nasser's story was titled Innovative Ways You Maintain Cars With Diesel Engines Better. 

It's well known that diesel engines are famous for their longevity, but to to get the most out of your workhorse you also need to feed it with TLC. Or as the saying goes: the more you give, the more you get. 

Here are Nasser's seven tips for extending the life of your diesel.

Use the right fuel

Diesel fuel is a petroleum product like gasoline, but it is refined differently. Diesel applications vary, and so do diesel fuels. What you put in a car is not what is recommended for off-road. The key, then, is to use what your manufacturer recommends. In either event, avoid low quality fuels.

Keep your fuel injectors clean

Injectors on a diesel are its most complex component. Unlike port injectors on gasoline engines, diesel injectors spray fuel directly into the cylinders. Injectors must be able to withstand intense heat while delivering the fuel in a fine mist. This is why injectors need to be kept clean and free of deposits. Fouled injectors will result in poor performance and, according to Nasser, eventual failure.  

Allow the engine to cool down

Longer service life for most vehicles corresponds to how we drive. Diesel vehicles should be allowed to cool down before attempting to restart. After a hard day of towing, it is recommended that you not shut off the vehicle immediately upon arrival at your destination. Rather, you want to idle the engine, give it a little rest time so it can cool down. 

For a deeper explanation as to why this is recommended, check out this excellent breakdown: To Idle Your Diesel or Not, That Is The Question!

Keep your filters clean

The author states that keeping your fuel filters clean is an imperative for longer life expectancy. We think this advice should be carried over to all your vehicles filters. They serve important functions and should not be neglected.

Change fluids on schedule

It's one of the first things new drivers learn when they get their license. Check your fluid levels on a regular basis. By paying attention to fluid levels one can often catch a signal of other problems that may be taking place and fix it before it. worsens.  

Winter requires extra care

The harsh conditions of winter can have consequences for the unprepared. Moisture, snow and low temps can be quite unkind to your engines. Check out this article on More Maintenance Tips for Your Diesel Equipment.  

Routine maintenance with a reliable mechanic

The author's final recommendation is a familiar one. Someone once said that whenever you move to a new location, one of the first things you should do is find a competent mechanic whom you can trust. "Diesel engine maintenance is a vital component of keeping your truck or car running properly." It is wrong to assume diesel engines require less maintenance, Nasser writes. 

In short, not only will a good maintenance regimen help your vehicle last longer, it will also save you time and money.

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To read the full story, visit:
https://www.theintelligentdriver.com/2021/03/16/innovative-ways-you-maintain-cars-with-diesel-engines-better/

How Old Is Your Diesel Exhaust Fluid?

Photo source: American Petroleum Institute

A few weeks back we shared some important information about winterizing your DEF. This weekend Trucking Info published information from the American Petroleum Institute (API) about another important facet of keeping Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) effective. 

The article begins by noting that the Covid pandemic resulted in many diesel-powered trucks, buses and fleets sitting idle for much of 2020. Putting idled vehicles back in service involves a number of steps, but according to Jeffrey Harmening of the API, DEF maintenance is one of those things that can get overlooked.

DEF has a limited life span and may need to be changed before boing put back into service.

The American Petroleum Institute recommends that you determine when DEF was put in the vehicle. The storage life of DEF is about 12 months in optimal conditions. If DEF has been stored in the vehicle over the past 12 months, it is recommended that it be drained and replaced. 

The author goes so far as to say you should check the expiration dates on the DEF you have stored on your shelves. You should dispose of the expired DEF in accordance with local regulations and order new DEF.

Harmening addresses the winterizing issue (DEF expands when it freezes) by reminding us not to have the DEF tank too full in freezing temperatures. Don't use additives to melt the DEF if it freezes. Your engine will start as normal and heaters will warm it to a working temperature.

After elaborating on purchasing and managing DEF in your shop, he closes with this summing up:

For shops and drivers, it’s important to know what you are putting into your DEF tank. The quality of the DEF going into your vehicle is as important as the quality of the engine oils or fuels used in your vehicles. Use of API-licensed Diesel Exhaust Fluid will ensure that it meets the high standards required by engine and vehicle manufacturers.

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You can read the full story here.

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Related Links
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Q&A (Cummins)
What Happens When the DEF Runs Dry?
20 Facts You Need To Know About DEF

More Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Diesel Equipment

In much of the country mid-January is the coldest time of the year. Arctic blasts send shivers up our spines. Though most folk hunker down on those coldest days, there are others who make a living outdoors. It's not a matter of dressing for success (the white shirt, the right tie) but rather learning how to dress to survive. (Choppers, lined pants, layers of shirts, parka, snowmobile boots, etc.) 

Diesel engines need a different kind of treatment in extreme cold as well. On Monday, ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com published a useful story on this topic titled Diesel Engine Do's Don'ts for Trouble-Free Winter. The main point the author strives to get across is that the best solution to avoid problems with diesel starts is to prepare in advance. Don't wait till you have a problem. You know it will be cold, so be ready.

One reason diesels are a special problem in cold weather is because "they depend on high temperatures created by compression to ignite the injected fuel." Our diesels do not have spark plugs. Internal combustion operates on a different principle. Because of this, the author states that "it is five times harder to start a diesel engine at 0 F (minus 17 C) than it is to start one at 80 F (26 C).

Though there can be a number of causes for challenging winter starts, the top three reasons are gelled fuel, cold cylinder walls or electrical failure. The article offers practical actions you can take to avoid being stranded in the cold.

It's worth pointing out that these tips aren't just assembled from miscellaneous trucker lore. The author, Julian Wood, works with Perkins which has documented billions of hours of testing in all environments. Their cold weather testing is performed 100 km from the Arctic Circle in Sweden at near 50 below.

FLUIDS
The first area of focus is on the fluids. Just as water undergoes changes based on temperature (ice, liquid, steam) so are the fluids in your vehicle transformed as temps drop. 

Recommendations fall into four baskets. Nine pertain to the fuel, two address the oil, three pertain to the coolant and two more to the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

The second area Wood addresses is the engine itself. Some of these steps should become part of your regimen at the beginning of winter, not when you're in the middle of a blizzard.

The third area is a the electrical system, specifically your battery. This is where the energy comes from to start your beast. You want a strong battery going into winter, and the author reminds us the batteries lose a portion of their cranking power when temperatures drop. You may even want to consider a battery warmer.

A couple other items of note. Beware of parasitic loads. That is, be aware of the things that can be a drag on cranking. Also, always let the engine warm up for five minutes before putting it into work mode.

The key idea that the author strives to sink home is here in the conclusion:

"A modern diesel will start and run under extreme conditions with very few issues, but ignoring those issues can be expensive. Proactive preventive action may seem like an extra expense or time spent on something that isn't a problem — now — but it makes economic sense in the long run. The consequences of ignoring winter diesel issues can range from losing all or part of a day's work to repairing expensive engine damage."

Read the full article here:
https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/diesel-engines-dos-donts-for-trouble-free-winter/50940

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