Cool, what kind of facility do you manage, if you're allowed to say?

Mechanically engines definitely smoke a lot more on full load application than the common rail engines. Fortunately I haven't come across a mechanically injected engine in quite a while. Data centers always want the newest and best due to reliability reasons.

And you're correct about the engine being kept warm. Also the engines have a pre-lube pump that runs on intervals, to keep the oil film maintained on the bearing surfaces.

All this comes from the NFPA 101/NEC section 70x/JAHCO requirements that you are on the bus in less than 10 seconds. When you hit the start signal, it's pretty much clunk (starter solenoid), a second or 2 of crank, fire within the first revolution, full 1800/min about 3-4 seconds later, rpms stabilized, exciter enabled, and you are at 480 V and 60 Hz in about 6 seconds. That gives you enough time for your transfer equipment to get the generator on the bus and beat the 10 second clock.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech