Regular maintenance and servicing is crucial if you want the diesel engine to last for years and every diesel engine owner will encounter some or the other problems in it. Even though these engines have high durability and don’t require ignition tune-ups and major diesel engines repairs, they do require regular servicing and low-cost maintenance. Regular maintenance involves changes, filter cleaning and replacement. Most diesel engines are designed in such a way that the owner himself can perform routine servicing and maintenance chores without spending much time and money if he/she is technically sound. But, if the owner experience some major problem and the requirement to perform major diesel engines repairs, it is best to consult a well-versed mechanic to resolve the problem as early as possible.
Tips for Diesel Engine Servicing and Maintenance
Following are some of the basic safety precautions that everyone must take during diesel engine maintenance:
- Before you start repairing and loosening any nuts, plugs, or bolts, ensure that the engine is well balanced and is supported in a safe way. Before removing the engine from the mountain or raising it off the ground, make sure to release the tight fastenings.
- Make sure that the vehicle has its gearbox set to neutral. Do not start the engine unless the load is off and the hand brake is applied.
- Ensure that exhaust heat systems are in a correct place before running catalytic converter-equipped engines.
- Allow coolant, oil, and other fluids to cool down before starting diesel engines repairs, this will prevent potential scalding.
- Never attempt to siphon any kind of fluids such as oil, fuel, coolant, solvents, etc. by mouth; this may cause serious health issue. Also, always avoid prolonged contact of these fluids with skin.
- Take off accessories such as watches, rings, bangles, etc. before starting your work. If you have long hair and wearing loose clothes, keep them out of moving parts because if any of these come in the way while engine is operating, it may lead to some serious accidents.
- Never lean towards a running engine, and also keep the tools and equipments away from the battery. Because, sometimes batteries may cause short circuits and in extreme case, they may explode too.
- Follow the steps and instructions carefully, do not rush through and take risky shortcuts to finish diesel engines repairs. If the work has not completed efficiently, you’re likely to face the same issue again and again.
- If the engine overheats it is a warning sign that the engine is going to get damaged beyond repair. So, if you come across such situation, immediately consult a professional mechanic. This will save you some money when you own a diesel engine vehicle.
- Ensure that the oil filter that you use for your diesel engine meets or exceeds the OEM filter recommended by the engine manufacturer. This will help to remove all the corrosive particles from the oil.
- In diesel engine, fuel system is handled in various ways. Never forget to keep tank full of fuel to stop condensation from depositing inside the tank which may gradually come closer to fuel injectors. This also needs replacement of fuel filters to avoid moisture build up.
- As we all know, diesel engines are hard to start during winter. As a remedy to this problem, you can install an electrical heater to the cylinder block or install heater element in series with the heater hose. In extreme case, just spray starting fluid on combustion chamber.
If you pay more attention towards diesel engines repairs and maintenance regularly, diesel engines can be a very good alternative to gasoline engines. Know the basic servicing and maintenance needs; it will save a lot of your money and efforts in the long run.
