The “Do-Nots” When Refueling Your Diesel Engine

Diesel Engine Do-Nots

Save yourself the time, the money, and (most importantly) the tractor, by avoiding these common mistakes.

Refueling your Yanmar diesel engine seems simple enough, you fill the tank and crank the engine. Well, there are some errors that people make that could result in the tractor not working properly, hours of clean-up and repair, or serious injury. We’d like to take a moment to discuss with you some of the “do-nots” you should remember when refueling your diesel engine.

First, while refueling your tractor might seem like a good opportunity for a cigarette break, please refrain from doing so. An ember from your cigarette can fall into a pile of straw. Combine that with diesel fuel dripping off the end of your fuel can, and you could have a fiery mess. Just as well, never refuel your engine when the machine is surrounded by dried grass and dry debris. Dead grass and other dry debris can decrease the air-flow during engine operation, causing the engine to become too hot and possibly causing a fire.

Next, although it’s always fun to see how one’s engine works, it’s not fun to adjust the engine fittings or work on the high pressure fuel lines if you have not been properly trained to do so (or visiting a qualified technician). Today’s diesel engines have injection pressures that reach up to 30,000 psi. One wrong move, and you could incur a serious injury. Therefore, refer to your owner’s manual, consult with a trained engine technician, or call Yanmar customer support if you have questions about your engine or fuel line.

Finally, a common mistake is filling a diesel engine with gasoline. Your engine could sustain irreparable damage. The tractor will not operate, and in extreme cases, the engine could self-destruct. Extreme cases aside, the process for fixing this mistake can be costly if you take it in for service. The engine and fuel tank must be drained, and the gasoline must be completely flushed out. It’s always safer to make sure you use a properly labeled container for storing diesel fuel. If you think you accidentally poured gas into your diesel engine, call a tractor mechanic.

We also want to mention that, in general, you do not want a build-up of moisture in your fuel tank. Moisture leads to water and water can corrode your engine. This can be prevented by making sure your fuel tank is always full to prevent condensation that leads to moisture build-up.

We hope that awareness of these “Do-Nots” will ensure a long and prosperous life for your tractor. After all, you can’t get work done without a functioning engine.

Connect With Yanmar

Beyond fueling up, Yanmar's Customer Experience Team is here to help you with all of your essential tractor maintenance. Whether that's answering questions or connecting you with a nearby Yanmar dealer, we're dedicated to the best customer service in the industry. Connect with us online or give us a call at 678-551-7369.

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