SEBU8726-03 63 Operation Section Fuel and the Effect from Cold Weather Recommendation for Crankcase Breather Protection Fuel heaters, which may be an OEM option Crankcase ventilation gases can 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. Fuel line insulation, which may be an OEM option Winter and arctic grades of diesel fuel are available in the countries and territories with severe winters.
For more information refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Fuel For Cold Weather Operation” The breather heater or other breather thermal protection is important and any OEM equipment must be operational to prevent the risk of breather freezing for operation below −5° C (23° F). Another important fuel property which can affect cold start and operation of diesel engine is Cetane number. Detail and requirements of this property are given in this Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Fluid Recommendations”. i05849931 Fuel and the Effect from Cold Weather i02323237 Fuel Related Components in Cold Weather Note: Only use grades of fuel that are recommended by Perkins.
Refer to this Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Fluid Recommendations”. Properties of the diesel fuel can have a significant effect on the engine cold start capability. It is critical that the low temperature properties of diesel fuel are acceptable for the minimum ambient temperature the engine is expected to see in the operation. Fuel Tanks Condensation can form in partially filled fuel tanks. Top off the fuel tanks after you operate the engine. Fuel tanks should contain some provision for draining water and sediment from the bottom of the tanks. Following properties are used to define fuels low temperature capability:
Some fuel tanks use supply pipes that allow water and sediment to settle below the end of the fuel supply pipe. Cloud point Pour point Some fuel tanks use supply lines that take fuel directly from the bottom of the tank. If the engine is equipped with this system, regular maintenance of the fuel system filter is important. Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) The cloud point of the fuel is the temperature at which waxes naturally found in the diesel fuel begin to form crystals. The cloud point of the fuel must be below lowest ambient temperature to prevent filters from plugging. Drain the water and sediment from any fuel storage tank at the following intervals:
weekly, service intervals and refueling of the fuel tank. This will help prevent water and/or sediment from being pumped from the fuel storage tank and into the engine fuel tank. Cold Filter Plugging Point is a temperature at which a particular fuel will pass through a standardized filtration device. This CFPP gives an estimate of the lower operability temperature of fuel Fuel Filters A primary fuel filter is installed between the fuel tank and the engine fuel inlet. After you change the fuel filter, always prime the fuel system in order to remove air bubbles from the fuel system.
Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual in the Maintenance Section for more information on priming the fuel system. Pour point is the last temperature before the fuel flow stops and waxing of the fuel will start. Be aware of these properties 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 shipped to colder climate. Problems can result due to changes in temperature.
Before troubleshooting for low power or for poor performance in the winter, check the fuel for waxing The following components can provide a means of minimizing fuel waxing problems in cold weather: