Washington state department of transportation snow plow parked with large amount of snow on top of the passenger cab

Prep for the Winter to Avoid Costly Downtime

Sep 26, 2013

Summer is quickly fading away as the days get shorter and the nights a little colder. The change of seasons marks an opportunity for some quick and easy winter prep work on your diesel engine. We all know the frustration of starting your truck in the cold weather only to have it crank over and over - smoky exhaust bellowing out, trying repeatedly every few minutes. Now imagine a backup power generator at a hospital trying to start up during a winter power outage. In that instance, the difference between seconds and minutes to restore power could impact lives.

Taking the time to winterize your diesel engine before the cold weather hits can save you time, money and productivity in the long run. Here are a few quick tips to make sure the diesel engine in your backup power generator, heavy duty truck or machine, bus, locomotive or watercraft is always ready

Check the coolant: Verify that your engine has the proper amount of coolant. If it’s a little low, simply top it off. If the engine has been out of service for a while, consider flushing the coolant and replacing with a fresh mixture of 60% coolant and 40% de-ionized or distilled water per the engine manufacturers’ recommendations.
Check your seals and hoses: Seals can wear out and hoses can get brittle over time. Check for leaks at any of the seals to make sure you don’t have any coolant loss. Lightly squeeze the hoses to see if they feel stiff. If they do, the heat from the coolant has probably made them brittle and they should be replaced before they burst and cause a coolant spill.
Check your battery: Batteries also need attention before a winter season. If you have one on your system, check the wires for any loose connections and tighten them if needed. See if there is any corrosion around the terminals. Corrosion could be a sign the battery is leaking or bad. Replace the battery as needed and consider adding a battery heater to help keep it warm. A warmed battery will ensure the battery holds its charge in the cold weather.
Install an engine heater: A diesel engine that is continuously heated will have quicker startups than a cold engine. Consider installing an engine heater that will heat the coolant to an optimum temperature and circulate it through the engine block keeping it warm and ready for startup. To save energy, use a thermostatically controlled engine heater. For engines with in-block heaters, add a Thermocord to reduce electrical use. Thermostatically controlled heaters will cycle on and off based on the temperature of the coolant. Heaters without thermostats remain energized until they are powered off, thus using more energy. If you already have an engine heater installed, be sure to verify it is installed correctly before use. Any dips or bends in the hoses will prevent the coolant from circulating in the engine and any air pockets in the system will cause the heater element to burn out. HOTSTART's Tank Heater Maintenance and Troubleshooting video below can help with any questions on your HOTSTART installed heaters.

These quick and easy maintenance suggestions can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. To learn more, visit www.hotstart.com or call 509-536-8660 to speak to a HOTSTART Engine Heating Expert.