If you own a car or just drive, you must understand the importance of diesel for the engine. In order for it to work perfectly, the driver must know how to winterize the diesel engine. To be honest, there are not many car owners who understand the terminology of diesel engine wintering and how diesel engine winters. How to make a diesel engine winter? In this article, we’ll give you a 101 tutorial on how to perform this task.
A few things to look out for
A Guide to Wintering Automotive Diesel Engines: Antifreeze
Before we understand how to give a diesel engine a winter, we need to understand each type of antifreeze. There are two options for car owners.
One is the common car antifreeze. Preston is an example of this. This type of antifreeze is amazing for cars, but it’s not the best choice for generator sets or marine diesel engines. Since car antifreeze is toxic, it is recommended to use drug-free seeds. This also prevents harm in the event that there are storm drains or water while using the boat.
The other is a less toxic antifreeze made from propylene glycol. An example of this type of antifreeze is West Marine, also known as premium “raw” antifreeze. In addition to its normal properties, it contains corrosion inhibitors with the aim of protecting the cooling system and the engine.
Focus
In addition to understanding antifreeze, we also need to know about three concentration levels: -50, -60, and -100 degree antifreeze. In order to survive the winter, the owner should choose the highest concentration available, that is, -100. The reason for this is that there is likely to be some residual residual water inside your engine, which will dilute the antifreeze you are applying. This may affect the result of the freezing point.
Drivers should take a look before pouring antifreeze (Image source: Pexels)
In addition to the concentration, the “mud spot” is another note for car owners. In fact, sludge is a normal term that won’t damage your engine or car parts. However, we recommend removing and lubricating the impeller from the raw water pump and then putting it back into the pump. We wanted to replace the cover of the pump casing and screw the cap into place to prevent the impeller from sticking to the casing. The disassembly of such an impeller can be carried out until spring.
How to make a diesel engine survive the winter
Before you understand the steps of a diesel engine for wintering, you need to understand what it is. In order to understand this concept more easily, car owners need to admit that diesel engine wintering is a gradual process.
Once the process is complete, the owner will get a steady supply of fuel and clean oil in your engine. In addition to this, there is a cooling system that is either emptied or filled with antifreeze in preparation for spring commissioning. Not to mention, car owners inspect critical car components, including all the big reminders, openings, and required repairs listed. So the next question is, how to winterize a diesel engine or a diesel truck? Let’s jump right in!
Step 1: Stabilize the fuel
A Guide to Wintering Automotive Diesels: Fuel is by far one of the most overlooked elements when preparing the fleet for winter. It’s fair to say that car owners want to fuel the winter first, especially when equipment is needed throughout the cold season. Therefore, the first thing we need to do is stabilize the fuel.
Car owners need to check their oil-water separator for water and sediment. Most drivers don’t know that water in the fuel system can reduce the performance of the engine and can also damage car parts such as injectors or fuel pumps. Therefore, in order to avoid these problems, the next step is to clean the separator, replace the suction filter and drain the other elements if needed. We want the tank to be filled with about 95% clean diesel to add fuel stabilizers. If the tank has fuel and hydraulic fluid, they can prevent condensation from forming when humidity and temperature change.
According to Practical Sailor, Star Tron Diesel Additive and Biobor JF are recommended products. The final task of this step is to run the engine, with the aim of distributing stabilization additives around the fuel system and throughout the fuel system.
Step 2: Change the oil
How to make a diesel engine winter? The next step is to change the engine oil as well as change the oil filter. Yes, we must carry out this task immediately, and not wait until spring because of the hazards of overtime. To be more precise, dirty old oil contains acids and contaminants. They can damage and destroy the engine while it is on hold. So in order to keep the engine healthy, we need clean oil. The same reason applies to the oil in the transmission, so if possible, change both oils at the same time.
Another thing for drivers to keep in mind is to first run the engine to operating temperature and change the oil when it’s hot. This trick will help to drain all the sticks and contaminants out along with the oil.
Step 3: Paint the cylinder
In addition to using oil, we can also spray some into the intake manifold in order to oil the cylinder. This is an important step that car owners may not want to forget. After applying the oil, we need to turn the engine a few times without starting. The purpose of this operation is to thoroughly coat the cylinder walls with oil.
Step 4: Winterize the cooling system
Fresh water cooled engine
After all these steps are completed, we have completed the task of wintering the cooling system. The first thing we need to do is to change the coolant on the fresh water side of the system. This task is critical due to the fact that antifreeze additives remove and resist corrosion. Antifreeze doesn’t wear out, but additives do. Therefore, if your car has antifreeze that needs to be diluted before use, you need to do so beforehand. If needed, get instructions before adding it to your vehicle’s fresh water cooling system.
Raw water cooling system
Car owners have two options: the first option is to fill the cooling system with antifreeze. It’s our favorite option because it’s better for the engine. It also reduces the chance of frost damage. In order to use antifreeze to survive the winter of the engine, some preparations need to be made. First, the driver must have a five-gallon bucket. Secondly, we also need a relevant pipeline, about two gallons or more is the right amount. Last but not least, it is essential to provide your engine with enough antifreeze. You can check the quantity from the manual or ask the mechanic. If your engine needs a lot of antifreeze, you’ll need another person to help add antifreeze to the drum.
Diesel engine preparation for winter is crucial (Image source: Pexels)
After all the preparations, it’s time to add antifreeze through the engine.
First, the owner fills a five-gallon bucket with non-toxic antifreeze. Leave it as it is, with the correct amount. If this is your first time wintering, or if you know your boat needs more than it is prepared, be sure to have extra antifreeze on hand. Owners can use leftovers from the ship’s plumbing system at any time.
Second, if the boat is in the water, remember to close the water intake. We need to remove the raw water inlet hose from the faucet and insert the end into a bucket filled with antifreeze. This task can sometimes be difficult because hoses and hose clamps can freeze in place.
Third, the owner starts the engine and idles until the antifreeze is discharged from the exhaust port. This step can take about 30 seconds.
Finally, we need to secure the intake hose back to the sea mark.
Another option is to drain the entire system. This step needs to be done carefully and not to leave standing water in any low places. Not to mention, we need to drain the engine completely, because small puddles can break critical engine components. For drainage, we recommend that you check the owner’s manual so that you can find out where all the small taps are. Once they are opened, they may become clogged with debris and rust if the water does not drain freely. The owner will then need to remove the small and release the opening. A hanger is the right tool to do the job. Another thing to keep in mind is draining the seacok body, seawater filter, and riser muffler.
Step 5: Check the exhaust system and hoses
How to make a diesel engine winter? The owner then loosens the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold or the water lift muffler to check for any corrosion or carbon build-up. We also need to remove the raw water injection hose from the injection site. The reason we need to do this is that there may be limescale or debris blocking the way.
In addition to this, we also need to inspect all hoses for signs of swelling, softening, or cracking. The driver has to pay great attention to the hot side of the exhaust as well as the cooling system. Hose clamps also need to be inspected to ensure they are tight and clean.
Step 6: Seal the engine opening
A Guide to Wintering Automotive Diesels: Last but not least, we need to seal all openings to get into the engine. The purpose of this is to prevent moist air from flowing inside. The correct way to seal is to make a lid out of a plastic container and tape it over. By doing so, the owner can cover the air intake, transmission and crankcase exhaust ports, and respirators. A tip for this is to leave yourself a note of all the sealing openings so that you can remember which ones to open in the spring.
