Cold Weather Operation Fuel and the Effect from Cold Weather 34 SEBU9064 Note: Do not restrict the air flow. Restriction of the air flow can damage the fuel system. Perkins discourages the use of all air flow restriction devices such as radiator shutters. Restriction of the air flow can result in the following: high exhaust temperatures, power loss, excessive fan usage and reduction in fuel economy. Note: Group 2 fuels must have a maximum wear scar of 650 micrometers (HFRR to ISO 12156-1). Group 2 fuels are considered acceptable for issues of warranty. This group of fuels may reduce the life of the engine, the engines maximum power, and the engines fuel efficiency.
A cab heater is beneficial in very cold weather. The feed from the engine and the return lines from the cab should be insulated in order to reduce heat loss to the outside air. When Group 2 diesel fuels are used, the following components provide a means of minimizing problems in cold weather: Glow plugs Recommendation for Crankcase Breather Protection Engine coolant heaters, which may be an Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) option Crankcase ventilation gases contain a large quantity of water vapor. This water vapor can freeze in cold ambient conditions and can plug or damage the crankcase ventilation system.
If the engine is operated in temperatures below −25° C (−13° F), measures must be taken to prevent freezing and plugging of the breather system. In extreme weather conditions insulating the breather hose will help to protect the system. Fuel heaters, which may be an OEM option Fuel line insulation, which may be an OEM option There are three major differences between Group 1 fuels and Group 2 fuels. Group 1 fuels have the following different characteristics to Group 2 fuels. A lower cloud point A lower pour point Consult with your Perkins dealer or your Perkins distributor for the recommended breather components for operation from −25° to -40°C (−13° to -72.°F).
A higher energy per unit volume of fuel Note: Group 3 fuels reduce the life of the engine. The use of Group 3 fuels is not covered by the Perkins warranty. i05340086 Fuel and the Effect from Cold Weather Group 3 fuels include Low Temperature Fuels and Aviation Kerosene Fuels . Special fuels include Biofuel . Note: Only use grades of fuel that are recommended by Perkins . Refer to this Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Fluid Recommendations”. The cloud point is a temperature that allows wax crystals to form in the fuel. These crystals can cause the fuel filters to plug. The following fuels can be used in this series of engine. The pour point is the temperature when diesel fuel will thicken.
The diesel fuel becomes more resistant to flow through fuel lines, fuel filters, and fuel pumps. Group 1 Be aware of these facts when diesel fuel is purchased. Consider the average ambient air temperature for the engines application. Engines that are fueled in one climate may not operate well if the engines are moved to another climate. Problems can result due to changes in temperature. Group 2 Group 3 Special Fuels Before troubleshooting for low power or for poor performance in the winter, check the fuel for waxing. Perkins prefer only Group 1 and Group 2 fuels for use in this series of engines. Low temperature fuels may be available for engine operation at temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F).
These fuels limit the formation of wax in the fuel at low temperatures. Group 1 fuels are the preferred group of fuels for general use by Perkins . Group 1 fuels maximize engine life and engine performance. Group 1 fuels are usually less available than Group 2 fuels. Frequently, Group 1 fuels are not available in colder climates during the winter. For more information on cold-weather operation, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Cold Weather Operation and Fuel Related Components in Cold Weather”.