9 Preventive Diesel Generator Maintenance Tips to Follow

No matter your business size, the idea of losing power and getting shut down is a worst-case scenario. This is why you invest in a diesel generator for backup, so you’re prepared.

So, when the need arises for you to put the generator to use, you want to know the generator is going to work.

Are you wondering how to maintain your diesel generator so it runs when you need it?

If you want to ensure your diesel generator is ready, then generator maintenance is key. Read on for nine things you should be doing to care for your diesel generator, so it runs well when you need it.

1. General Generator Maintenance Checkup

You probably go to the doctor for your yearly physical. Your car or truck goes to the mechanic several times a year for an oil change. Routine maintenance and checkups are essential for the overall health of your generator.

Of all the generator maintenance tips you should adhere to, the most important is getting a regular routine maintenance checkup for your generator.

A diesel generator has many systems that sync to keep the machine running well. These systems include:

• Lubrication system
• Cooling system
• Fuel system
• Exhaust system
• Electrical system

When you get general maintenance checkups, the technician can look over these systems to see how they run. This type of general checkup prevents more serious breakdowns from occurring.

An internal combustion engine that runs on diesel needs oil changes more frequently than a gas engine. Some recommend, on average, getting an oil change every 200 hours.

2. Lubrication System

In a diesel generator, the lubrication system is key to keeping the machine running smoothly. The lubrication system is responsible for lubricating, cooling, and cleaning the machine’s moving parts.

When the lubrication system doesn’t lubricate, cool, and clean, other parts of the machine start to break down quickly, too.

The lubrication in the diesel generator also works to help prevent other parts from potential rust developing.

Before running your diesel generator, you always want to check the oil levels. It’s important for your generator to run with full oil, especially if it will be running for a period of time.

If your diesel generator needs oil, you must add the same quality and brand already in the machine. This is even more critical if your machine is still under warranty.

You want to select oil OEM-specified lubricants that go work with the machine.

3. Cooling System

The coolant system helps keep the generator cool enough to continue functioning when it needs to run for a period of time.

Yet, this is not a system you can check out when the machine is hot. You must check the cooling system at regular intervals when the machine is cooled down.

When your machine is cooled down, open the radiator cap. Check the coolant levels. You want the coolant levels to be about three-quarters full with a cooled machine.

When filling the radiator, it’s important to know that heavy diesel generator engines require a balanced coolant mixture of:

• Water
• Antifreeze
• Coolant additives

Remember to change coolant filters at regular maintenance. You should also clean off any debris or dirt around the radiator. When cleaning, you want to be careful not to damage the fins that make up the radiator.

You can clean around the radiator; you can use a damp cloth. Or you can use compressed air to blow out the system. Be careful to blow any dirt or debris out of the system instead of in toward the engine.

4. Fuel System

The fuel system requires several maintenance steps to ensure the matching runs smoothly, especially if there are long intervals between which the generator is run.

A diesel engine can have water vapors and condensation that can accumulate near the engine and in the fuel filter. The fuel filters should be drained at regular intervals to avoid this becoming a problem.

If the generator isn’t running frequently, the fuel should be drained out of the system to prevent old fuel from tainting the engine’s efficiency.

Fuel quality is an important consideration for your diesel generator. With today’s diesel fuels, many of which have blends of biodiesel content, the fuel will start to deteriorate within six months.

If you have unused fuel sitting in your generator, pay attention to how long it is there.

5. Give It Some Regular Exercise

Another important part of backup generator routine maintenance. It might surprise you that giving your generator some regular exercise, like your body, is healthy.

When you give your diesel engine regular exercise, it helps to prevent:

• Oxidation of electrical contacts
• Helps to provide reliable engine starting
• Uses up the fuel before it deteriorates

Engine exercise helps keep the diesel engine’s working parts well-lubricated.

You should exercise your diesel generator engine at least once every 30 days. It’s best to turn it on and run it for around 30 minutes.

Listen to your generator when it runs during this routine exercise. As always, preventative maintenance is better than reactive maintenance and is always less costly.

6. Battery Testing

The generator battery is used to get the engine going like in your car. If the power in the battery dwindles, it can cause the generator not to start when you need it.

Part of your routine maintenance should be to check the battery. You want to see the battery’s status and ensure it’s keeping a full charge. You also want to ensure that gravity and electrolyte levels are maintained in the battery.

Some people will make the mistake of simply checking the output voltage of the batteries. This will not be a clear indicator of the battery’s ability to turn over the engine. The age of the battery will be a factor, too.

You want to keep the battery and cables clean inside the generator. Look around the terminals; if there’s corrosion present, you need to unhook the cables and wipe down the terminal connectors.

7. Load Banking

A key to your regular maintenance plan for your generator is also to run load bank testing.

When you run a load bank test, you’re testing your generator’s full kilowatt (kW) output rating. This tells you how well it will output energy when the machine is needed.

You run your generator in an emergency situation. You need to draw the electrical power from the generator. The load bank test tells you how much electrical energy is available for use.

If the test shows that the energy level is off, the machine needs a recalibration.

8. Exhaust System

One of the complaints of diesel generators often involves the exhaust that comes with the machine. It’s imperative to control exhaust so that this system is clean and working properly.

Look for exhaust leaks along the connection points, the welds, and the gaskets. If you see an issue, you’ll want to get a professional mechanic or generator technician in for a repair.

Intake and exhaust ports should also get covered on the machine.

9. Cleaning

Keeping your diesel generator clean is one key to having it run well. Don’t underestimate the value of a good thorough visual inspection of the generator.

Look for oil drips and locate where they’re coming from. Look at how hoses and belts run to ensure they continue running well.

Often, large diesel generators sit outside. This makes them open targets for outdoor pests like bees, wasps, and mice. When you inspect the machine and keep it clean, you can prevent and get rid of any unwanted pests.

A good practice is also to thoroughly clean the generator after each use to keep all parts ready to go.

Purchasing a Generator for Your Business

Sometimes a diesel generator gets a bad rap. The truth is with the right maintenance practices, this machine will be ready when you need a backup power source.

If you’re considering purchasing a diesel generator, there are many benefits to know about. This type of generator is:

• Quieter than other types
• More energy efficient
• Longer life span
• Less maintenance with regular routine care in place
• Run longer on a tank of diesel fuel

You might be surprised to learn that diesel generators also have fewer emissions. Better engine design and fuel refining have greatly improved a diesel generator’s emission control.

Use These Diesel Generator Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Machine Running Well

Maintaining industrial generators doesn’t need to be complicated. Like all your essential business equipment, you need it on a maintenance schedule to ensure it runs well when needed.

Do you need diesel generator maintenance for your machine? Contact us today to learn more about our maintenance services for your diesel generator.