What If Your Diesel Generator Is Hard to Start in Cold Weather?

In a low temperature environment, diesel generator cold-start difficulty or failure is a common problem. This not only affects the normal operation of the generator, but also may cause damage to the equipment and shorten the lifespan. Therefore, it’s essential to take effective measures to prevent generator start failure to ensure the stable operation of diesel generator sets at low temperatures. Here are several tips for cold weather operation of diesel generators.

Protect your diesel fuel

Diesel fuel can gel in frigid temperatures. This can hinder the flow of fuel and affect the overall operation of the generator. You can add anti-gel and anti-microbial additives to the fuel to stop this from happening. Use winter-grade diesel fuel with a low cloud point and proper additives to prevent fuel gelling in cold temperatures.

Poor-quality diesel fuel may have a higher concentration of impurities, which can lead to issues such as clogging of fuel filters and injectors. This can also cause the engine hard to start in cold temperatures. Make sure you use high-quality diesel fuel to ensure the smooth operation of generator.

Use proper oil to ensure lubrication

The viscosity of lubricating oil will change with the temperature. Engine oil thickens in colder temperatures, which can affect the lubrication of the engine and prevent your diesel generator from starting. Thus, you should use the recommended cold-weather oil or multi-viscosity oil that is suitable for low-temperature operation to ensure smooth startup and operation. And change oil if necessary.

Preheat your diesel engine

In a very cold environment, it is necessary to use engine preheating devices. You can install a block heater or coolant heater to preheat the engine before starting. The block heater helps to warm the engine's oil, reducing wear on engine components during start-up, which makes it easier for the engine to start.

By using a block heater or other heating equipment, the engine can warm up gradually and reach the appropriate operating temperature before starting, thereby reducing the difficulty of starting and reducing the wear and tear on the engine.

Keep the filters clean

Air filters and fuel filters play a vital role in the normal operation of diesel generator. In a low temperature environment, filters are easy to block or freeze due to the increase of moisture and impurities in the air, affecting the flow of air and fuel. Cleaning or replacing filters regularly is necessary to maintain proper airflow.

Check the fuel filters weekly and clean up any possible impurities to ensure the system is in good condition. Due to the poor working environment at low temperatures, air intake is easy to clog, so check the air intake and filters for any blockages or restrictions regularly.

Maintain your diesel generator regularly

It’s important to perform routine maintenance tasks according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Give your diesel generator a thorough visual inspection and clean it periodically. Check and test the batteries regularly in cold weather. Ensure that they are fully charged and in good working condition. If your generator is left unused for a long time during the winter, it’s not strange to encounter the generator start failure problem. You need to schedule regular run times to help keep the engine parts lubricated and prevents stagnation.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for any further information or assistance regarding to diesel generators. Contact us at dingbo@dieselgeneratortech.com, and we will gladly help you.