Detroit Diesel engines are designed to power large vehicles and equipment. They are more versatile than regular gas engines and can be used in diesel-powered cars and trucks. However, these engines need some specific care, like priming, before you use them for the first time.
To prime a Detroit Diesel engine, it’s as simple as these steps:
- Apply the needed oil
- Complete some routine checks
- Letting the engine run
- Make sure you run the engine with 95 PSI for optimal priming
While priming an engine can seem like an unpleasant task, it can keep your diesel engine working at its best while using your truck. Is it all that important? Let’s explore the reasons why and how to prime.
How to Prime a Detroit Diesel Engine
If you’re thinking about buying a Detroit Diesel engine, it’s important to prime it before the first time you use it. This is the process of getting oil into all the necessary parts of the engine, which will allow it to start running.
There are a few different ways to do this. Let’s look at them below.
Dry Shaking a Detroit Diesel Engine
One way to prime a Detroit Diesel engine that is popular for beginners is called “dry shaking.”
To dry shake a Detroit Diesel engine, follow these steps:
- Gather your materials, which is a wrench and some motor oil
- Turn off the car or truck’s ignition
- Drain out any water from the radiator
- Remove the air filter cover and air filter element
- Place your wrench around the spark plug socket and tighten it until there is no more play in it
- Take off any wire connections on top of your car or truck’s hood with your wrench as well
- Take your wrench and spin each plug wire counter-clockwise until they are tight against their plugs.
- Put your wrench back on an open hole that has an open plug wire coming out of it so that you can disconnect them completely.
- Grab your container of oil and pour it into one cylinder at a time while you crank up the engine clockwise just enough to create compression pressure in each cylinder (you don’t want to over-prime)
- Continue this process until all cylinders have been filled with oil–but be careful not to overfill.
Now, let’s take a look at another method to priming your Detroit Diesel engine.
Priming a Detroit Diesel Engine
Now that you know how to dry shake a Detroit Diesel engine, you should know the proper priming procedure.
To prime a Detroit Diesel engine, you will need to follow these steps:
- Find the fuel shut-off and remove the high-pressure fuel line from its connection.
- Use a funnel to add the recommended amount of diesel fuel into the high-pressure line.
- Replace the high-pressure fuel line’s connector onto the filter-control module (FCM).
- Close any openings to make sure that no air gets in.
- Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes until you see an even flow of black smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe.
- You can now remove your funnel.
Now, let’s take a look at how to prime any diesel engine, not just the Detroit Diesel brand.
How to Prime a Generic Diesel Engine
A diesel engine is different from a gasoline engine, and the process of priming it is also different.
The process of priming a diesel engine is relatively simple and easy, and it is as follows:
- Make sure the engine is cool.
- Remove the air cleaner.
- Shake up the engine oil and pour it into the engine.
- Reattach the air cleaner.
- Start your engine and let it run for about 10 minutes.
- Shut off your engine and check your oil level.
Add more oil if it’s still below the “Full” line. If it’s above that line, pour some out until you hit that mark or reach the desired level.
Check the Oil Level
Before you start your engine, you need to check the oil level. If it’s at a good level, move on to your next checks.
If the oil is too low, add some more oil before continuing. You can do this by removing the bolt on top of the dipstick tube and filling up the engine with about one quart of oil.
Check Fuel Levels
It is essential to check fuel levels. You will want to fill the tank with diesel fuel that has a high cetane number (a measure of the fuel’s ignition quality). Diesel fuel should be stored in a cool area and an approved container.
Check Compression
To prime a Detroit Diesel engine, it is important to ensure that the compression is at a maximum. This can be done by removing the air filter and letting it run for about 5 minutes. Check the oil level once you have done this, and then re-install the air filter.
Prime the Engine
Before you use your Detroit Diesel engine for the first time, you need to prime it by adding diesel fuel.
Here’s how:
- Make sure there is no gas to prime the engine in the vehicle.
- Start up your engine and let it run for about five minutes
- Shut off your engine and open the hood.
- Unscrew the fuel line attached to the top of your filter housing and replace it with a longer one.
- Pour some diesel fuel directly into the bottom of your filter housing
- Close off the fuel line and remove it from your engine.
- Turn on your engine again and let it run for about five minutes before shutting down again.
- Remove the long fuel line you put in place of your old one; this will allow diesel to flow freely into your filter housing.
You will now be able to start up your Detroit Diesel Engine without any problems!
Keeping Your Detroit Diesel Engine Running
Priming a Detroit Diesel Engine may not be the most glamorous task, but if you want to avoid many headaches, it’s a must-do. The next time you need to prime your engine, use this guide to ensure you’re doing it correctly.
