DD15 Operator Guide – Routine Engine Start

Routine Engine Start

Following are procedures for a routine everyday engine start.‪

ENGINE EXHAUST ‪
To avoid injury from inhaling engine exhaust, always operate the engine in a well-ventilated area. Engine exhaust is toxic.‪

PERSONAL INJURY ‪
To avoid injury when working near or on an operating engine, remove loose items of clothing and jewelry. Tie back or contain long hair that could be caught in any moving part causing injury.‪

Starting-the-Engine Routine

Before a routine start, refer to chapter “Maintenance”

and see the daily checks for your engine.‪

Important:
Before starting the engine, carefully read all operating instructions in this manual and do all the recommended pretrip inspections and daily maintenance. Check the coolant, engine oil, and fuel levels, and drain contaminants from the coalescer (water separator).‪

Note: If you drain water from the coalescer, you have to prime the fuel system with the built-in hand primer (up to about 50 strokes).

Note: As a safety function, the electronic engine control system may be wired to start the engine only If the transmission is in neutral. This is vehicle application specific.

1. Turn on the ignition switch.
2. With the accelerator pedal in the idle position, start the engine.
3. Check the engine for leaks.
   1. Check all hoses, hose clamps, and pipe unions on the engine for tightness. Shut down the engine and tighten them if necessary.
   2. Check the oil feed and return lines at the turbocharger for leaks. Shut down the engine and tighten them if necessary.
4. Shut down the engine.
5. Check the oil level using the oil dipstick. The oil level is measured using the two bends or the crosshatch area on the dipstick. If the oil reading is between these bends or in the crosshatch area, then the oil is at the proper level for engine operation.
   
   

   Note: The engine must be shut down for 60 minutes and on a level surface for an accurate oil level reading. Otherwise, the engine must be brought up to an operating temperature of 60°C (140°F), shut down, and allowed to sit for five minutes on a level surface. Failure to allow the oil to drain back properly as just described can result in a low oil level reading.

6. Check all the mounting fasteners on the engine for tightness.

Checking the Coolant Level (Cold Check)

Check coolant level as follows:‪

1. Ensure that all coolant plugs in the bottom of the radiator and on the radiator outlet pipe are secure and tight.
2. Check the coolant level. The cooling system is correctly filled when the coolant is between the full and low marks on the surge tank.

Note: For more information, refer to chapter “Maintenance”

.

Checking the Coolant Level (Hot Check)

Check the coolant levels as follows:‪

1. Allow the engine to run for approximately five minutes at a moderate speed.
   

   HOT COOLANT ‪
   To avoid scalding from the expulsion of hot coolant, never remove the cooling system pressure cap while the engine is at operating temperature. Wear adequate protective clothing (face shield, rubber gloves, apron, and boots). Remove the cap slowly to relieve pressure.‪

2. Then, with the coolant temperature above 50°C (122°F), recheck the coolant level in the surge tank.
3. Add more coolant if necessary. Open the heater valves before adding coolant.
4. Do not close the heater valves until the engine has been run briefly and the coolant level again checked and corrected as necessary.