If you are a farmer, rancher or heavy equipment operator, a diesel engine, whether it is in a truck, tractor or ATV, can be your most valuable piece of equipment. Diesel engines differ from gasoline engines in that they don’t require a spark plug to start – instead, diesel engines fire up by compressing air, and using the heat of the compressed air to light the fuel. This characteristic of diesel engines has also lent them the name compression-ignition engines. There are many advantages to owning a piece of equipment with a diesel engine; for example, diesel engines can use less fuel, last twice as long, produce less carbon monoxide in exhaust and generate less waste heat than a gasoline engine. Of course, the longevity and efficiency of a diesel engine (or any other engine) is directly correlated to the degree of maintenance that it receives. By servicing your diesel engine regularly, you can ensure that it will be on the road or in the field for many years to come.
Year-Round Maintenance
Keeping clean and quality fuel in a diesel engine is critical to warrant the efficiency of the machinery. “Check on the fuel sediment filters, and keep water out of them,” advised Rocket Woodlee, Service Manager at Williams Tractor in Berryville, Ark. Water in the fuel filter and fuel injectors can keep the engine from running properly, and so can sediment that is clogged in the filter. These problems often accompany each other, and both of them stem from letting your diesel fuel tank run too low; when your fuel level is low, it allows space for more air in the fuel tank. Air contains water vapor – this water vapor can mix with the fuel in the tank AND it can also create rust, which leads to sediment in the bottom of the fuel tank. This is one reason why you should never let your diesel run empty on fuel.
Clean filters will help keep a diesel running well. “Always check air filters,” Woodlee noted. Air filters can be cleaned by hand, or replaced if they are worn out. Oil filters also need changed regularly because they are responsible for filtering out soot and other corrosive particles created by the combustion of the diesel engine. A good rule of thumb is to replace the oil filter every time you change the oil.
Winterizing Your Diesel
There are several important diesel maintenance rituals that need to be considered in the wintertime. Joe Smith, Shop Foreman at Kubota of the Ozarks in Springfield, Mo., stressed the importance of high fuel quality in the winter. “Treat the fuel to prevent algae,” Smith said. There are several diesel additives on the market that will alleviate this problem.
“Test the coolant every year to make sure that it’s at the right consistency and will hold up to the temperatures,” said Woodlee. He also noted that if freezing of the coolant is an anticipated problem, the radiator cap can be removed to allow for the expansion of frozen liquid. A heater core for the engine block can also be purchased, said Woodlee. The heater core will warm the engine fluid and help the engine start easier on cold mornings. And finally, “letting your tractor warm up before you take off is very key.”
Diesel engines are a useful piece of equipment on a farm or ranch. With regular maintenance and proper winterizing techniques, you can keep your diesel running smoothly.
