NURSE YOUR DIESEL

Lake County Mail, Issue 10, 30 July 1947, Page 4

NURSE YOUR DIESEL

Care is Cheaper than Spares In inaugurating this series of articles the writer, who has had 16 years’ experience in the care and repair of all types of Diesel-powered plant numbering at times as high as 100 units of various makes, powers and types, is endeavouring to hand to you the benefit of his experience and to guard you against the pitfalls and expense which inevitably arise from neglect or inexperience. . If you have problems, just write in to “Ariel” c/o Lake County Mail, Box 434, Dunedin and he will endeavour to answer them either: personally or through these columns. !

USE OF FUEL

Adhere to the makers’ recommendation as to type of fuel. Guard it carefully against dust, dirt, and water. If stored in 44 gal. drums draw from a drum which has been allowed to stand undisturbed for several days and if drawing off supplies by means of a hand pump see that the suction pipe does not reach the bottom of the drum, where you can expect water, sediment, etc.

HOW TO USE DREGS

Do not use the bottoms, but empty the dregs from several drums into one container and after allowing to settle for a week, draw off only the top portion leaving say four inches in the bottom, which can then be swilled out and used around the farm for cleaning implements, etc.

'This may seem a nuisance, but do not forget that yoyr fuel injection pump and injectors are costly items manufactured to extremely fine limits and what was good enough for your car is not good enough for this equipment. ■

Having thus ensured a tlean sample of fuel, guard against dirt, dust and water in transferring it to your fuel tank on the unit, be it tractor or, stationary engine.

To guard against air locks in your fuel lines, keep the tank full. Do not turn olf the fuel between tank and pumping unit and please adhere to maker’s instructions with regard to filters. Where these have renewable elements replace them early rather than late, particularly when working under dry dusty conditions.

Remember that the tiny pistons or plungers in the injection pump are such a neat fit that if held in the hand for a few moments, they will expand sufficiently to prevent replacement. Hence the emphasis on cleanliness, first last and always. Believe me, it is the most important point in becoming and remaining a satisfied Diesel-operator. These plungers must be a neat fit to prevent leakage against the terrific injection pressures necessary, and any wear will very soon put them out of action, whereas with reasonable care they will last for years. It is the intention of the writer to publish a Trouble-shooting Chart later in the series, so watch each issue for this valuable fault-finder.

(To be Continued.)