Diesel Generator Maintenance Checklist
Within your team, operators can follow this template guide when performing routine maintenance. And, if you need any more assistance or want to schedule fuel quality testing or refuelling, the Vital Power team will be on hand.
Visual Inspection
The first step should always be to perform a physical (and visual) inspection of the diesel generator. This overall condition assessment will help identifying any potential defects or issues that might need further attention later.
Look out for things like chips or dents in the fuel tank; any rust or corrosion; blockages you can see; or evidence of leakage, damages or other problems.
Routine generator cleaning
During your visual assessment, keep an eye out for any dirt or debris that might have made its way inside the generator vessel, or could be collecting around the outside. Things to remove include dirt, rusted metal, branches, leaves, insects and rodents. Vital Power’s expert team can carry out regular, scheduled or one off fuel tank cleaning sessions for your peace of mind.
Check the water levels
In an ideal world, the water levels would be checked daily as part of your basic diesel generator schedule. While you’re doing this it’s also a chance to have a look around for any potential leaks. Our top tip is to take photo evidence of leakage and damage sites – these will be useful for our Vital Power engineers to take a look at later! Pay particular attention to the radiator and hose, which are more prone to springing leaks.
Check the generator fuel levels
Use a dip stick to keep an eye on the oil level in your generator. Check underneath the engine itself for any leaks or weak points. Make sure the tank is full – and firmly replace the cap if you do top it up! Vital Power offers a generator refuelling service to ensure your tank is always ready to go. We also provide fuel polishing – our team will carry out a general condition assessment of diesel in your tank, so we can clean or replace any contaminated fuel.
Control system check
Do a general once over of the generator control system, to make sure everything’s working as it should. Check on things like the emergency stop (ensuring it’s fully positioned out and not pushed in), and the anti-tamper locks. If applicable, keep an eye on battery levels and make sure any control panel lights are on and visible.
Air vent check
It’s really important to always make sure air vents are clear. They can get clogged or blocked by rust, dirt, debris and leaves which can be a safety hazard. Even if you’re not doing a full check of the entire system, it’s a good idea to have a look at the vents daily if possible.
Diesel Generator Maintenance from Vital Power
This is a general checklist for maintenance of your diesel generator that should prolong its life. At Vital Power we understand that for most businesses, a backup generator is just that – a backup. Regular maintenance and checks can seem time consuming and off-putting. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of services to take all the responsibility for keeping your generator maintained. Our major and minor services include over 100 individual checks to ensure every element of your critical power system is working in top condition.
