Diesel engines rely entirely on the heat generated by the compression stroke to give the required temperature to obtain spontaneous combustion of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders. Normally with a low mileage engine and ambient air temperatures of +1000, and above, a gas temperature in the cylinder of 50000, or more is achieved during the initial compression stroke which is sufficient to give spontaneous ignition and the engine starts. On higher mileage engines or when air temperatures fall below +1000 (and on many mornings throughout the year they do), the ability of a diesel engine to start is greatly impaired! The cylinder walls, pistons and surrounding metal absorb the heat generated by the compression stroke and the required minimum temperature for ignition of 37500, becomes more difficult to reach. At temperatures of zero or below starting can become almost impossible without some form of assistance, especially if the engine is not new. With older engines the first sign of wear is a reluctance to start on cold mornings and the slightest loss of compression means insufficient heat for combustion. Even with the help of various aids engine start may not be achieved! The most logical and simple solution to this problem is heat, increase the block temperature and cold weather starting difficulties disappear. An engine at running temperature before you start will minimise the tendency for fuel to wax in the fuel filter, injectors or fuel lines. The KENLOWE Hotstart can extend the useful working life of an engine by many years, saving the cost of a new! reconditioned engine which, along with lost revenue during expensive downtime, can amount to a considerable sum.
PETROL ENGINE ECONOMY
Cold engines need a rich mixture to start and run whether carburettor or fuel injected. The graph shows up to 46% of fuel is wasted during the first few miles from cold and not even the most modern engine becomes fuel efficient until the engine block has reached full working temperature. The KENLOWE Hotstart ensures the block as well the coolant is at running temperature before you set off, making poor fuel consumption on short journeys a thing of the past - even on a journey as long as 9 miles you can save 12% of your fuel. Of course, being at full running temperature before you start means you arrive at the end of even a short journey with more heatsoak in the engine block than would occur without pre-heating and some residual heat is stored for long periods in the engine block which minimises any tendency for choke to be needed when restarting later in the day. Eight hours of daytime winter ambient temperatures are much milder than a sixteen hour overnight period when the engine is not run! High fuel costs or vehicles with high fuel consumption, such as 4x4 off-road vehicles used for everyday use, turns the percentage of fuel saved into a significant annual sum. What % saving would you make on your journey? Graph shows fuel wasted when starting from cold. Remember the Kenlowe engine pre-heater avoids need for choke or enrichment if the engine in fuel injected.