Posted by Paul Cook on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 11:47AM :
In Reply to: Diesel Start Up posted by Sully on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 5:07AM :
There are three basic issues for any engine and other mechanical device or component that has been unused for a length of time. They are lubrication, lubrication, and lubrication. Drain all old lubricants and replace.
For all engines, put oil into upper cylinders and let it work its way between the piston, the rings, and the cylinder walls. Then turn it over by hand to be sure nothing is binding or frozen. If you can power the oil pump without running the engine, do that to prelube all the moving parts. You should also clean the oil pump, the intake screen, and check for correct oil pressure - which can be done in a bench test. There are engine preoilers available for many diesel engines that are routinely used to reduce wear and make them easier to crank at startup.
As far as the diesel engine, be sure to bleed all injector lines. Inspect all injectors and replace as necessary. Diesel fuel lubricates most injector pump designs and they must not be run dry. Diesel fuel is also used for cooling some engine parts. Did I mention fuel filters?
Transmissions and other gear boxes are susecptible to having water from condensation in the lowest places and having corrosion on the gears that have been sitting in the higher places with all the lubricant drained off. This is one of the common mistakes we make when we move an old truck from its long time storage wothout servicing the gear boxes first.
Good luck!
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