A Guide to Maximizing the Lifespan of Your Industrial Engines

Industrial generators are capable of providing the power required to operate a broad range of electrical systems. As a result, their engines can experience extra wear and tear as well as an overall reduced lifespan if they don’t get the care they need. Considering the significant financial investment involved with these heavy-duty machines, getting years of great service from them should definitely be a top priority for your business.

But how do you achieve that? Let’s take a look at some of the most important things you need to do to maximize the lifespan of your industrial engines.

Let the Engine Warm Up Properly

Cold weather can make it tougher to start up an engine. This is because lower temperatures can cause the battery to lose some of its strength and also thicken and cool the oil. This makes it more difficult for the engine’s internal moving parts to operate normally. As a result, it takes more energy to start an engine when it’s cold. Diesel and natural gas fuel is also harder to burn when it is cold. With that in mind, once you turn on the generator, wait at least 30 seconds before you start working it too hard. Then, load it gradually in order to give it enough time to warm up.

Change the Oil Regularly

Did you know that oil can degrade over time? That’s why mechanics stress the importance of regular oil changes. This stale oil won’t work as effectively and may cause widespread interior damage to your engine’s parts, leading to poor performance. Considering engines produce high temperatures, the need for a regular oil change is essential. Synthetic oil is the best to use because it not only improves performance but also protects the moving components better.

Check the Coolant

An overheated engine can wreak havoc on your power system. To keep your generator cool–and to help it last as long as possible–you should check the coolant level regularly. The coolant works by circulating through the system in order to cool down the engine temperature. Don’t forget to have the coolant sampled by a professional at least once a year to maintain its overall quality.

Repair Any Leaks

It is imperative that you regularly check for oil leaks and fuel hose leaks as well as coolant leaks. Leaks can cause many problems for an industrial engine as they make the power system much less efficient. An inefficient system is at a higher risk of malfunctioning.

Don’t Deplete the Fuel in the Tank

For the best fuel performance possible, never allow the fuel tank to deplete. This is because the fuel at the bottom of the tank contains sediment and other impurities that can really harm your engine. The last thing that you want to do is have this dirty fuel in your engine, so make sure the tank is refilled with fresh fuel consistently.

Check Seals

You should also inspect the seals around the connections of your unit. Are they damaged, corroded, or loose? These can all impact the performance of your equipment, so you should have them replaced immediately.

Clean the Filters

To maximize engine life, you must also keep an eye on both the air and oil filters. Filters block dust, dirt, and other particles from the internal parts of the engine. If the filters are consistently dirty or clogged, your engine will underperform and likely experience a shorter lifespan. Cleaning filters is an easy job that you can usually do yourself, so be sure to check them once a week and replace them altogether once the filter begins to wear.

Schedule Service Visits

One of the most important things that you can do to protect your engine is to schedule regular service visits by a generator professional. This person is trained to provide the maintenance your unit needs and to identify any potential problems. Missing these appointments will eventually affect the lifespan of your engine. Without regular maintenance checks, you will not know about issues with the system until it’s already too late. To prolong the life of your industrial generator, call in a Valley Power Systems technician to take care of any necessary maintenance tasks for you promptly.

Operate the Engine Once a Month

If your generator doesn’t get used regularly, it may have problems powering up when you need to rely on it during an outage. For optimal performance, it is recommended to run industrial engines at least once every 30 days. Doing so will help keep power issues at bay and allow you or a technician to handle any issues it has before they have the opportunity to result in full mechanical failure.

How Important Is Industrial Engine Maintenance?

It’s a fact that engines today are able to operate more efficiently between maintenance checks for far longer than they ever have in the past. However, it is vital to stay on track with your regular service appointments. Without proper engine maintenance, the system will begin to wear down more quickly. A tired engine will have to strain in order to deliver the required power. Eventually, this can lead to a breakdown and expensive repairs, if not a full system replacement.

Proper engine care offers benefits like:

• Peace of mind – You’ll know your generator will run when you need it most.
• Consistency – Employees will remain productive during a blackout.
• Reduces repair needs – A well-maintained engine will be less likely to break down.
• Fuel efficiency – Maintenance improves fuel performance, saving you on fuel costs.
• Financial protection – You won’t have to worry so much about the impact a broken unit will have to your bottom line.

Serving California Businesses

You can count on Valley Power Systems to deliver the top maintenance services for all your industrial engines in California. Our team is made up of experienced and highly trained technicians who can help with any generator service your facility needs. Contact our generator company today to find out more about our power solutions.

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