Diesel Engines Do’s and Don’ts for A Trouble-Free Winter

Julian Wood, Perkins Product Manager for Aftermarket

The best solution to cold weather diesel starting problems is to avoid them by being prepared for cold weather before it happens, according to Julian Wood, Perkins Product Manager for Aftermarket. Diesel engines are harder to start in cold weather because they depend on high temperatures created by compression to ignite the injected fuel. In fact, it is five times harder to start a diesel engine at 0°F than it is to start one at 80°F. 

The top reasons for this are gelled fuel, cold cylinder walls, and electrical failure. There are, of course, many others but addressing these three is a good place to start getting ready for winter. 

Fuel

• Do use winter blended fuel which is less likely to gel.
• Do store full portable fuel cans in a temperature-controlled area to avoid condensation.
• Do drain the water from the fuel filter daily, preferably when the machine is shut down for the day so the water does not sit in the filter overnight.
• Don’t forget to drain the water separator on fuel storage tanks every day. 
• Do fill fuel tanks at the end of the working day, as a full tank doesn’t leave room for water to condense overnight. 
• Don't neglect the fuel filter, it’s the most common place for fuel to gel. 
• Do change the fuel filter before winter weather sets in. That makes it less likely to freeze and avoids the need to do the job in the cold.
• Do keep a spare fuel filter and/or water separator on hand. It’s often easier to replace a frozen one than it is to thaw it. 
• Do park equipment in a sheltered location whenever possible. A heated shelter is best, but simply parking where the wind can’t blow snow and ice into the engine can make a big difference when starting

Other Important Equipment Fluids

Engine Oil

• Do switch to a lighter weight engine oil during cold weather. A cold engine needs adequate lubrication especially when it’s started.
• Don't use engine oil lighter than the engine manufacturer recommends as it may not provide adequate lubrication when the engine is hot. 

Coolant

• Do check your coolant regularly with a hydrometer. The glycol in your coolant is there for a reason, it doesn’t boil off and it lowers the freezing temperature of the mixture.
• Don't top off the coolant with plain water. Make sure to use a proper water/glycol mix every time. You do not want water to freeze in your engine or radiator.
• Do pay attention to temperature gauges and avoid overcooling which can be caused by long periods of idling or excessive airflow. Overcooling can cause poor combustion leading to white smoke, increased fuel consumption, and inefficient aftertreatment system performance.