How often Do you Need to Change Engine Oil in Diesel Genset

Engine oil is generally used for lubrication, cooling, sealing, heat transfer and rust prevention. The surface of each moving part of the engine is covered with lubricating oil to form an oil film, avoiding the heat and wear of the parts.

Regular replacement of oil to ensure the stable operation of diesel generator set. Such maintenance can effectively extend the service life of the diesel genset. Therefore, in the process of using the diesel generating set, it is necessary to determine the replacement time of the genset accurately. How long does it take to replace the oil of the diesel generator?

The oil used by different diesel generator manufacturers and diesel generators of different power is different. In general, the new engine works for 50 hours for the first time and 50 hours after repair or overhaul. The oil replacement cycle is usually carried out at the same time as the oil filter (filter element). The general oil replacement cycle is 250 hours or one month. Using Class 2 oil, the oil can be replaced after 400 hours of work, but the oil filter (filter element) must be replaced.

The function of diesel generator engine oil

1. Sealing and leakproof: The oil can form a sealing ring between the piston ring and the piston to reduce gas leakage and prevent external pollutants from entering.

2. Anti-rust and anti-corrosion: Lubricating oil can suck on the surface of parts to prevent water, air, acidic substances and harmful gas from coming into contact with parts.

3. Lubrication and wear reduction: There is a rapid relative sliding between the piston and the cylinder, and between the main shaft and the bearing bush. To prevent excessive wear of the part, an oil film is required between the two sliding surfaces. An oil film of sufficient thickness separates the surface of the relatively sliding part to reduce wear.

4. Cleaning: Good oil can bring the carbide, sludge and wear metal particles on the engine parts back to the oil tank, and flush the dirt generated on the working surface of the parts through the flow of lubricating oil.

5. Cooling: The oil can bring heat back to the oil tank and then dissipate it into the air to help cool the tank.

6. Shock absorption and buffering: When the pressure in the engine cylinder port rises sharply, the load on the piston, piston chip, connecting rod and crankshaft bearing is suddenly increased. This load is transmitted through the bearing to lubricate, so that the impact load can be buffered.

For various reasons, when the oil is not replaced, the oil has gone bad. If the oil is deteriorated, it must be replaced. 

How to judge whether the lubricating oil has deteriorated?

1. Oil flow observation method. Tilt the measuring cup full of lubricating oil, let the lubricating oil flow out slowly, and observe its flow. The lubricating oil with good quality should flow in a long, thin, uniform and continuous way. If the oil flow is fast and slow, and sometimes large pieces of oil flow down, it is said that the lubricating oil has deteriorated.

2. Hand twisting method. Twist the lubricating oil between the thumb and index finger and grind it repeatedly. A better lubricating hand feels lubricated, with less wear debris and no friction. If you feel a large friction feeling such as sand particles between your fingers, it indicates that there are many impurities in the lubricating oil and it cannot be used again. You should replace the lubricating oil with a new one.

3.Use light. Take out the oil dipstick, hold it high for 45 degrees, and then observe the oil drops dropped by the oil dipstick under the light. If there are iron filings and oil sludge in the engine oil, it means that the engine oil needs to be replaced. If there are no sundries in the engine oil drops, it can be used again.

4. Oil drop trace method. Take a clean white filter paper and drop several drops of oil on the filter paper. After the lubricating oil leaks, if there is black powder on the surface and there is an astringent feeling by hand, it means that there are a lot of impurities in the lubricating oil. Good lubricating oil has no powder and feels dry, smooth and yellow.

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