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.
A cab heater is beneficial in cold weather. The feed
from the engine and the return lines from the cab
should be insulated to reduce heat loss to the outside
air.
i05927268
Fuel
and
the
Effect
from
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.
Critical
to
the
low
temperature
properties
of
diesel
fuel
is
the
acceptability
for
the
minimum
ambient
temperature
the
engine
is
expected
to
see
in
operation.
Following
properties
are
used
to
define
fuels
low
temperature
capability:
• Cloud point
• Pour point
• Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP)
The cloud point of the fuel is the temperature at
which waxes naturally found in diesel fuel begins to
form crystals. The cloud point of the fuel must be
below lowest ambient temperature to prevent filters
from plugging.
CFPP is a temperature at which a particular fuel will
pass through a standardized filtration device. The
CFPP gives an estimate of the lower operability
temperature of fuel.
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:
• Fuel heaters, which may be an OEM option
• 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, “Cold Weather Operation”
Another important fuel property which can affect cold
start and operation of diesel engine is cetane
number. For more information refer to the Operation
and Maintenance Manual, “Fluid Recommendations”.
i01903588
Fuel
Related
Components
in
Cold
Weather
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.
Some
fuel
tanks
use
supply
pipes
that
allow
water
and
sediment
to
settle
below
the
end
of
the
fuel
supply
pipe.
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.
Drain
the
water
and
sediment
from
any
fuel
storage
tank
at
the
following
intervals:
weekly,
oil
changes
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.
Fuel
Filters
It
is
possible
that
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.
32
M0106585