How you can save from untimely engine troubles

June 27, 2023 5:59 pm

A routine and timely engine maintenance regime are essential, says Julian Wood, aftermarket product manager at Perkins Engines. The article highlights it’s advisable to plan preventative maintenance schedules and follow regular engine monitoring practices to ensure a longer life for the engine and its efficient performance.

Mechanical components are the backbone of our industry, playing a critical role in keeping our economy functioning smoothly. They are literally and figuratively vital cogs that ensure uninterrupted operations. Even a brief halt in machines, be it in factories or warehouses, can bring the entire system to a standstill. This underscores the crucial significance of engines as an integral component in the overall system.

Thus, a routine and timely engine maintenance regime is essential to reduce your running costs and prolong the life of your engine. Generally, any engine can break down due to normal wear, which is expected and predictable. However, it can also be abnormal wear that might result from improper maintenance or operating techniques, adversely affecting your productivity and operating costs.

To promote the longevity and optimal performance of the engine, it is recommended to establish preventive maintenance schedules and adhere to regular engine monitoring procedures. Here are some suggestions that will assist in maintaining your engine’s excellent working condition while enabling you to anticipate and anticipate normal wear, thereby preventing abnormal wear.

Inspections and regular checks

A decent periodic inspection with an in-depth analysis will allow you to locate the potential problem with the engine before it heads for a major failure. When this is identified, it saves you from major repairs and significant costs later.

The operator should follow a daily routine of visual inspection and operational checks of the engine. Engines indicate problems through warning signs like overheating, smoke, power loss or hard start, it’s equally essential for an operator to understand these indicators and take the necessary actions.

Scheduled maintenance prolongs engine life

Regular maintenance is essential for prolonging the engine’s lifespan. It is crucial to adhere to the prescribed maintenance schedules and guidelines the engine or machine manufacturers provide. Neglecting a service interval can impact the engine’s performance, and the consequences may go unnoticed until the situation worsens or a critical component fails.

As performance checks vary by operating conditions and engine type, ensuring the checks and frequency are right for your engine is wise. Also, the regular checks you need to carry out fall into daily and weekly categories, along with regular servicing and specified intervals. Generally, engine checks are scheduled per the calendar time or for the hours the engine has been running. So, the engines in constant use should be checked more often and vigorously than those used less frequently.

Importance of good oil quality
Oil is another critical parameter for the smooth functioning of engines. Using poor quality oil for an engine can lead to issues with viscosity, bringing down its life. This can also lead to operational or start-up problems, thermal breakdown, corrosion or major wear.
Importance of regular water draining
Generally, all fuels contain some amount of water in suspension. Water in fuel for off-highway engines comes from either condensation within fuel storage, the fuel tank, free water from agitation or poor fuel housekeeping.

Significant water levels can cause problems such as corrosion of fuel systems leading to excessive injector wear, filter plugging, sudden engine cooling, reduced energy and lower power. Thus, it is important to drain out the water periodically. Always ensure the fuel storage tanks are sealed correctly and allow settling time after a fuel delivery. Ensure you avoid condensation from warming/cooling and seal tanks to prevent rainwater contamination. A little time spent every day draining water from the water separator on the fuel filter can save money on replacing damaged injectors.

Quick daily checkup tips

Operators need to check following daily, as part of good maintenance practice to protect your machine investment:

Cooling system coolant level
Air pre-cleaner, empty if necessary
Engine oil level check
Fuel system primary filter check
Drain water from the water separator
Driven equipment, belts, and electrical system check
Walk-around inspection of the machine, especially guards and drive system.

Modern engines have gained significant technological advantages, making them robust and reliable. Nevertheless, operators must conduct daily checks that encompass visual assessments, operational inspections, and routine water drainage. These regular checks and more comprehensive weekly and monthly inspections serve as early warning systems to identify potential issues before they escalate into significant wear. Staying attentive to your engine’s behaviour often indicates something is amiss. Implementing these practices will contribute to prolonged engine life and consistent high performance.