"The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in the course of time as important as the petroleum and coal tar products of the present time." Rudolph Diesel, 1912

Rudolf and his Engine.

   Imagine an engine first developed in 1895 that was so good that examples from this era still work perfectly today. An engine first designed to run on gunpowder then developed to use vegetable oil injected under pressure directly into the combustion chamber. An engine that needed no spark or electricity to run and that is still the only choice for heavy transport to this day. This engine is of course the Diesel engine.

   When Dr. Rudolph Diesel demonstrated his engine at the world exhibition in Paris in 1900 he said two words that astonished the gathered engineers "peanut oil" The patented diesel ran on almost any fuel from petrol to vegetable oil! The engine was demonstrated at this exhibition running perfectly on straight peanut oil. Unfortunately Dr Diesel died 1913 before his vision of a vegetable oil powered engine was fully realized.

   Having already convinced the French navy that the only choice for submarine power was his engine and its associated low risk and edible fuel he was on his way to England by boat to try to do the same for the English navy when he disappeared. When his body was found adrift in the English Channel a few days later. The English newspapers at the time suggested that French operatives trying to keep his engine out of the English submarine fleet had assassinated him.

   After Dr. Diesel's death the petroleum industry capitalized on his engine by labeling a by-product of petrol manufacture "diesel fuel" and modifying his engine to run on it. Diesel fuel was an invention that came much later than the diesel engine! Clean renewable vegetable oil was all but forgotten as a source of power.

   Modern diesels are designed to run on a less viscous fuel than vegetable oil however a few pioneering souls have remembered Dr. Diesel and in times of fuel shortages have successfully run their cars and trucks on preheated vegetable oil. Hydraulic oil, heated animal fat and used sump oil have also been used with varying degrees of success by folks who either for experimentation, desperation or economy tried something different or cheap. The diesel engine is indeed a multi fuel engine.

Diesel Maintenance

   You don't have to be technical guru of a four-stroke cycle of intake-compression-power-exhaust engine to properly maintain it. A Diesel is simple to maintain. It has four major systems:

  •    Electrical
  •    Cooling
  •    Fuel
  •    Lubrication

       Take care of all four and you can get 10,000 - 30,000 hours of operation from your engine. Maintain it properly and you shouldn't have to rebuild it. Marine engines are specially designed for maximum RPM use. The duty cycle of a steadily running Diesel engine is very different from that of an automotive engine that constantly stops and starts at intersections and parking lots.

       Replacement parts for your engine should be original marine quality, made by the manufacturer of your engine. This is the secret of making your Diesel last the maximum hours. Automotive parts aren't built to withstand a marine environment.

    Lubrication

       Oil doesn't wear out but it does become contaminated with the byproducts of combustion (carbon & sulfuric acid) and therefore it must be changed. Many manufactures recommend an oil change every 100 hours of operation. I also recommend draining your oil at the end of the season, add 1 quart and start the engine for 30 seconds. This lubricates the cylinder walls for the winter. In the spring drain again and fill to the full mark. The oil is the blood line of your engine so feel free to change it as often as you feel necessary. When you change your oil filter at every oil change always buy factory parts built specifically for your engine (the best and most expensive) and the rough marine environment. Keep a spare fanbelt, impeller, oil filter, and fuel filter in the engine compartment.

       Under normal operation Diesels burn oil, even new ones. Check the oil every time you start the engine. Keep it to the full mark. This is important in sail boats since they operate when they aren't level and it aids "splash lubrication". When you start your engine, especially after an oil change or a long period of non use, "pre-lube" the engine. Crank the engine for 10 seconds while pulling the stop cable. The engine will not start but gets charged with oil. Wait 15 seconds an start your engine.

    Cooling

       Most Diesel failure is due to lack of cooling maintenance. Piston compression in a Diesel is three to four times that of a gasoline engine. Heat therefore builds up faster and cooling is more critical. A gas engine can over heat without serious damage but not a Diesel. I prevent my Diesel from over heating by inspecting it for leaks and replacing aged hoses. Keep the proper ratio of engine coolant in the engine. Plain water or straight coolant will not properly cool or prevent corrosion. I also test my audible alarm frequently.

       After one month or 50 hours a new engine's head bolts need to be retorqued and thereafter every 1000 hours. The valves should be adjusted at the 50 hour mark and every 500 hours after. Also keep the proper tension on the engine's V-belts. Too tight- water pump failure, too loose - belt wear out or the alternator won't charge.