How to Use Diesel Engines

Many diesel cars get about twice the miles per gallon as gasoline cars. While diesel trucks do not get twice the mileage, they do get better mileage. Diesel engines were designed to run for long periods and to last for several hundred thousand miles. Farmers use tractors with diesel engines in their fields to plant and harvest crops, and run generators. Semi trucks are equipped with diesel engines for long trips across country. Long life and better gas mileage may cause more people to ask about diesel engines.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Diesel engine
• Block warmer (optional)

1. 
    
   Wait for glow

   Preheat your engine by turning on the glow plugs. Some of the newer diesel engines have plugs that are automatically warmed when the key is turned. Some vehicles require you to turn the key to the first position and wait for a glowing light before starting the engine. Old diesel vehicles had a knob that you pulled out. Then you waited for a light to glow, and turned the key to start the vehicle.

2. Plug in your block heater before you go to bed if you live in a cold weather area and it is wintertime. If your vehicle is not equipped with a block heater, you can purchase a magnetic block heater. Attach it to the engine and plug it in before you go to bed on nights when the temperature drops below freezing. This will keep the engine fluids warm enough so the engine will start in the morning.

3. Bleed your system. If you let a diesel engine run out of fuel, or somehow get air in the system, it will not start when you add fuel, until you bleed the system. Other ways of allowing air into the system include changing the fuel filter, pump, line, or injectors. Some newer vehicles will bleed the system automatically. Other diesels have manual pumps or mechanical pumps.

4. Turn the ignition to the "ON" position if your vehicle has an electric fuel pump. The fuel filter has an air bleed plug that you need to loosen slowly. When there is a free flow of fuel, tighten the air bleed plug. Next loosen the air bleed plug on the injector pump until the air escapes and there is a free flow of fuel, and then close it. If your vehicle is equipped with a self-bleed return valve, open it for a short period, start engine, and as soon as the engine runs smoothly, close it. The engine should start after these steps.

5. 
    
   Diesel running a 50,000 watt generator

   While diesel engines do not accelerate as fast as gasoline engines, they have more torque and power. This allows them to do more work and pull heavier loads.

Tips & Warnings

• Drain muffler as needed while bleeding the system.
• Using higher quality fuel and oil will make your engine start easier.
• While diesel engines do not accelerate as fast as gasoline engines, they have more torque and power. This allows them to do more work and pull heavier loads.
• Don't let your diesel engine run out of fuel or you will need to bleed the system.
• Diesel fuel has a smell that tends to cling to things.
• Diesels tend to smoke more than gasoline engines.

Resources

• Universal diesel owners manual