August 4, 2022

Diesel Generator Component Care: An Amazing Guide

electrician-working-on-industrial-diesel-generator

The success of a diesel generator depends on the quality of its components. To maintain your generator's performance, pay particular attention to each element and ensure they are treated with care.

Diesel Generator Component Care

Diesel Generator Oil

Diesel Generator oil is critical for the operation of diesel generators. This oil is not something like your car's motor oil and should be treated as a different product. The Diesel generator oil should be changed every 50 or 100 hours of runtime, depending on the runtime durations. The recommended way to do this is by changing it once a month and topping it off with new Diesel Generator oil after each use at the 3000-hour mark.

Gaskets

Gaskets are essential in diesel generators because they keep the engine water-tight and do not allow harmful gases to leak into the engine bay. This is crucial to the longevity of any diesel generator because small amounts of this gas can cause a fire hazard. One of the most common problems with gaskets is over-tightening, causing them to be crushed and thus not able to hold water tightly. This is an easy problem to address, making it familiar for gaskets to be replaced more than once in a lifetime.

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are essential in any combustion engine and thus should be taken care of. When the spark plugs are not replaced on a schedule, they can cause premature wear on the cylinder head and pistons. Spark plug gaps should be checked regularly to ensure proper detonation and prevent compression loss. Replacing them every 60 or 70 hours of runtime is recommended for the best performance of your diesel generator.

Air Intake

The air intake on a diesel generator is a system that draws air from the outside world into the engine compartment to be used by the engine's cylinders to combust fuel. Like all engines, air intakes should be cleaned regularly to prevent them from clogging up with debris and causing harm to the engine. Clogged intakes can lead to poor performance, reduced mileage, and increased emissions. If the information becomes too clogged, it could cause damage or even an explosion in extreme cases.

Air Filters

Air filters in a diesel generator are crucial to the engine's operation because they keep harmful particles from entering the engine and causing damage. If the air filters are not replaced at the recommended intervals, these harmful particles will enter and wear on delicate components like pistons and rings. The recommendation to use aftermarket air filters has been made because they can be cleaned easily, have a longer lifespan, and have a higher airflow capacity than their OEM counterparts.

Carburetors

Carburetors are devices that mix air and fuel to create combustion in the cylinders. This is essential for operating a diesel generator because it helps keep things smooth and prevents power fluctuations. Their life span is concise and should be checked periodically to ensure they are still working correctly. If their performance declines, carburetors should be replaced as soon as possible.

Piston Rings

Piston rings are an essential part of the diesel engine and are responsible for controlling compression in the cylinders. If they fail, they can cause damage to the entire machine and should be replaced immediately. Piston rings come in different grades, ranging from light to extra-heavy duty, depending on how much pressure a piston's ring can withstand before causing harm to the cylinders. The lighter ring can endure more stress before breaking, so it's recommended that you replace them often.

Intake Manifold

The intake manifold on a diesel generator is responsible for the air mixture sent to the engine's cylinders. This is crucial to the operation of the diesel generator because it helps control the quality of air going into each cylinder and helps to maintain proper fuel temperatures. Low intake manifold quality can cause issues when a cylinder has too much or too little air, which in turn will cause engine damage. Intake manifold oil should be changed regularly to ensure proper airflow and prevent gasket contamination.

Diesel generators should be looked after properly to prevent future issues or repairs. If you follow the maintenance schedule outlined above, you will help extend the life of your generator while avoiding costly repairs or downtime. Any diesel generator setup should always have a system in place to monitor fuel consumption and maintenance records to be closely monitored. This will allow for early detection of issues and prevent high costs in the long run. If you are thinking about getting a generator for your needs, contact us today for professional assistance.