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Power Generator Issues: Engine Blow-By

Power generators and diesel generators, in particular, are well-known for their reliability, low maintenance and ability to provide electrical power even in demanding commercial and industrial environments – but that doesn’t mean that they are infallible.  

Diesel Generators

What is Engine Blow-By? 

This is an issue that occurs when the air and fuel mixture in your power generator leaks between a piston and the cylinder wall. If you listen to diesel generators with this issue, you’ll hear a spluttering sound accompanied by high fume and exhaust generation. It’s something that is common in old or poorly maintained cars – but it can affect any engine, including the one in diesel generators. 

Engine blow-by occurs when the internal combustion in your power generator’s combustion chamber forces moisture, fuel, or air past the piston rings within the crankcase. Without a secure fit, these rings can’t contain the pressure produced by the internal combustion, and so a leak will result. 

Deterioration of the piston rings in diesel generators and other types of power generators can be caused by simple wear and tear over the years. It’s a vicious cycle, with old, worn piston rings unable to maintain a pressure seal, leading to leaks, which coat the piston rings in debris as a result of incomplete combustion, which makes the pressure seal even more ineffective, which makes the engine blow-by even worse. 

How Engine Blow-By Affects the Performance of Power Generators 

This loss of compression can quickly lower the performance of your power generator and, over time, more air, fuel, and moisture will gather in the crankcase. Without an effective seal to create compression, the performance of the pistons themselves is also compromised, which means your diesel generator has to consume more fuel to try to meet the electrical power output requirement. The power generator will become louder and more inefficient over time, accompanied by a significant increase in fumes. 

How to Prevent Engine Blow-By in a Power Generator 

Preventative maintenance is the single most critical way of preventing engine blow-by, so it’s important to ensure that your diesel generators are serviced by an experienced technical team on a regular basis. If your engine already suffers from this issue, a technician can clean and replace the piston rings – however, if it has gone on for too long, your power generator may need replacing. 

If you are looking for a new or used electrical power generator for your business, the team at Energy Power Systems Australia can assist you. We’re the CAT engine dealer for Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, offering a wide range of marine, commercial and industrial generators for every application, including refurbished used power generators. For more information on our electrical power solutions, please contact us today. 
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