How to prevent diesel generator wet stacking

You might think this concept has something to do with water, but it doesn’t. Diesel generator wet stacking is an extremely common generator issue, usually showing its worst impacts after a period. The good news is that wet stacking is preventable.

All you need are generator specialists to shed some light on the problem – and show you how to stave off diesel generator wet stacking for good. Let’s look at what it is, signs it’s taking place, and how to prevent generator wet stacking:

What exactly is wet stacking?

Like any internal combustion engine, diesel generators have optimal temperatures. Without at least 60% load on the generator when it’s being used, the engine doesn’t get hot enough to burn off excess fuel and carbon deposits.

A build up of these in the diesel generator’s exhaust system is called wet stacking. There are a few indicators of wet stacking that any diesel generator owner should look out for.

Signs of diesel generator wet stacking

There are two main signs of wet stacking becoming a serious problem for your generator’s power output and general longevity:

Black ooze around the exhaust pipe
Continuous black exhaust smoke

So, what’s the big deal with some exhaust soot and decoloured smoke? Wet stacking can clog your generator’s injectors, decreasing its output performance. Backpressure is also a likely outcome, and a combination of factors leads to reduced efficiency, shortened part life, and increased repair costs.

But wait, there’s more! Wet stacking can affect your generator oil’s ability to protect the engine, and will cause increased wear over time. At suboptimal temperatures, the pistons don’t interact with the cylinders as they should, often causing unburned fuel to leak into the oil pan and diluting the oil.

How to prevent wet stacking

There are a few things you can tick off to give your generator the best chance of surviving wet stacking:

Run your diesel generator for 15 – 20 minutes once a week.
Ensure the generator is running at a minimum of 60% load when operational.
Make sure that your genset’s fuel tank is always kept full.
Check that the generator is reaching the manufacturer’s recommended operating temperatures.
Book a planned generator maintenance plan, where your genset will be kept in optimal condition throughout its life.

Expert diesel generator services in KZN

The best way to prevent the devastating impact of wet stacking is to let a qualified generator technician perform regular generator fuel refills and generator maintenance. Wet stacking is one of multiple problems impacting generators that aren’t looked after, so it pays to maintain the generator instead of having to sit without power while it’s being repaired or replaced. Get in touch with S&A Generators to arrange expert diesel generator services in KwaZulu-Natal.