Engine's

As there are many types of engines in narrowboats here is some general information on diesel motors.

Here is two general check lists when it comes to looking after a diesel engine.

Fuel Savings:

Most diesel engine fuel is 30% more efficient than gas powered engines.

Engine Reliability:

Unlike most gas engines, diesel engines likes to run all the time. The engine life can last between 300-400k miles. The last current world record was made by MB (Benz) for two vehicles having 900k miles on the same original engine.

Gas engine emissions:

Emit less carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons over gas engines.

Less maintenance:

Diesel engine does not require "Tune Ups" because it does not have spark plugs which is a big plus in maintenance.All you need is to keep regular oil and filter, air filter change at scheduled interval.

1.) Unlike the gas engines, diesel engine has no electrical ignition parts like plugs, wires and moving part like distributor rotor which is subject to wear. These parts have a limited life and have to be changed on regular basis. Because of this, this is one chore we don’t have to worry about.

2.) Diesel engines run at higher compression pressure than gasoline engines. Where the highest compression for most high performance gasoline engines is close to 200 psi, diesel runs almost 3 times that pressure. As a consequence, more heat is generated putting extra demands on the engine cooling system. Study shows diesel engines usually fail 50% more on cooling related problems because it cannot stand prolong overheating. This is why the cooling system is a high maintenance issue.

Tips on basic diesel engine maintenance:

a.) Do you notice that when your gas engine overheats, you can stop it and rest the engine for a few minutes? Later you can re-start and the engine will be fine. If similar situation happens with your diesel engine, the engine is almost always damaged beyond repair. Knowing this tip can save you a lot of head ache when you owned a vehicle with diesel engine.

b.) On some diesel engines, the cooling system uses a coolant filter to control the acidity (or ph value) of the coolant. This filter ensures that the cylinder block does not have a build up of corrosive particles inside.

c.) One advantage of using a coolant filter in your diesel engine is that besides applying a coat of protective lining to the surface engine metals (like your engine block), it also has an active anti-foaming chemical agent that protects the liquid's surface tension and thus reducing the creation of coolant bubbles. Since this chemical agent depletes over time, the coolant filter must be replaced periodically.

3.) Gaskets on diesel on engines must be monitored closely since they are exposed to extreme operating conditions. If possible, all mounting bolts must be re-torqued at regular intervals to prevent leaks especially in the combustion mounting areas. This is also true for coolant hoses which can deteriorate quickly if not secured properly. A lot of this is also caused by engine vibrations which is common on diesel engines. Always replace a leaky gasket as a set. If one starts to leak, the rest is not far behind.

4.) Since diesel engines use a lot of air, greater attention is paid to the engine air filtration. A common practice among truckers is to install a tell-tale plastic indicator on the side of the air filter housing. The indicator changes color as soon as the engine filter element becomes dirty. Cooling this air is also critical especially if the engine is turbocharged. On some high end diesel engines they are fitted with after coolers to cool the air from turbo charger.

5.) The oil filter selection is very important on diesel engines because of the bad elements of sulfur residue and carbon created when fuel is not burn completely. The filter used must meet or exceed the OEM filter recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. This will ensure that all corrosive particles are removed from the oil. Using synthetic oil will also help because the additives in the oil will resist premature breakdown.

6.) Since the cooling system is critical on diesel engines, it is important that an early warning system should be in place. Located in the dash panel, the early warning device must be easily seen and heard. If the engine has already overheated and it was not caught on time, the engine could be damaged. Most trucks have this feature in their dash and must be checked regularly to see if early warning system works.