What are the possible faults of an air-cooled diesel engine?
2 Answers
Possible faults of an air-cooled diesel engine are as follows: Difficulty in starting: mainly includes starting faults such as difficulty in starting at normal temperature and cold starting difficulties. Unstable idle speed: mainly refers to idle speed faults such as unstable idle speed, no idle speed, and idle speed fluctuation. Unstable operation under medium and small load conditions: the engine is prone to stalling, individual cylinders work intermittently, and power output is unstable. Insufficient power under heavy load: the diesel engine is weak under high-speed and high-load conditions, and the car has insufficient power such as weak acceleration. High fuel consumption: abnormal fuel consumption is found during car use, or the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is significantly increased during long-distance travel. Engine does not stop after fuel cut-off: the engine continues to run without stopping after being turned off; it still does not stop after repeated attempts to turn it off.
After driving air-cooled diesel engines for so many years, the most common issue is engine damage caused by overheating, such as cylinder deformation or piston burning. This often happens when aging fan belts fail to provide sufficient airflow for cooling, thinning out the engine oil and reducing its lubricity. Worn piston rings lead to decreased compression, affecting startup, while dust-clogged air intakes trap heat, creating more failure points. Regularly inspecting the fan system, cleaning dust buildup in the cooling ducts, and using high-temperature engine oil can mitigate many problems. Additionally, hard starting may stem from faulty glow plugs or insufficient compression, especially in cold weather. Overall, maintaining unobstructed airflow is crucial—overlooking these small details could lead to costly overhauls.
