Are you having trouble with your diesel engine? A diesel engine has some very particular problems unique to its intricate design. You need to identify them and fix them quickly, or you can cause lasting damage to the vehicle.
We are here to help. Below, we have collected ten must know problems that mean you need professional diesel truck repairs.
1. Oil Oxidation
Oxidized oil is a common problem in diesel engines, particularly if an engine has been left standing for a long period of time. If a diesel vehicle has not been started and driven, you can place a safe bet that it will have oxidized oil.
Oxidation is when air gets into the oil itself. This forms bubbles in the oil, and they interfere with the lubrication. This can seriously damage the engine.
The only way to solve this problem is to replace oil completely. Even if you have left the vehicle for a long time and suspect oxidization, you should replace it just in case. Starting it up could cause damage, and it is an easy and cheap task to do yourself or with the help of a mechanic.
2. Black Exhaust Fumes
Black exhaust fumes belching out of a vehicle are never a good sign. Not only does it smell bad and make your vehicle odorous, but it can also seriously impact your health if you breathe it in. In fact, you could face a huge fine for breaching emissions regulations if you fail to address it.
Black exhaust fumes are commonly a sign that you have an imbalance in the air to fuel ratio in your vehicle. It shows that the mix is too heavy on fuel and is not getting enough air. Common problems include damaged injectors or injector pumps, air filters, turbochargers, or EGR valves.
3. Lack of Power
One common problem is the vehicle exhibiting a lack of power. This is a sign of fuel system problems, as the engine is not being provided with the diesel it needs. It can be caused by several problems.
The filters in the vehicle could be dirty and need replacing or cleaning. The fuel injectors may have a problem, or there may be excessive lubrication in the engine. This is one time when it is really advisable to get professional diesel truck services to take a look and isolate the problem.
4. Trouble Starting
All diesel engines will crank a little as they startup. However, if a diesel engine fails to start or takes a long time to start, it is a sign of low compression or a fuel delivery problem. This is not a problem you can solve yourself, and you will require the services of professional diesel services and repairs.
5. Contaminated Fuel
Diesel has a much higher viscosity than gasoline. This means that because of its dense nature, it is much easier to contaminate. The fuel that has been damaged in this way can cause serious problems to your engine.
There are several contaminants that can affect your diesel. The most common are water, glycol, soot, and any form of dilution. If you think your fuel has been contaminated, then you need to drain the tank and replace it before continuing.
6. Battery Problems
The lead and acid storage battery in a diesel system often comes under a lot of strain. It is an essential component in the starter system, and without it, the engine will not run. Using an out of shape, old or defective battery is not advised.
A malfunctioning storage battery impacts the compression ratio, causing an imbalance. This will negatively affect the starter system.
7. Compression Ratio
Diesel engines produce more power than gasoline engines, and this is down to their high compression ratio. Whereas a gas-powered engine will have a ratio of around 8:1, a diesel engine has a ratio of 20:1. The high compression gives the engine its efficiency and strength.
This high ratio can cause problems. If a bad burn pattern occurs, the engine can knock. It can also cause problems with fuel injection systems.
8. Humidity
Humidity is another way in which engine fluids can become contaminated. It allows water to get into the engine lubricant, which can impact the process and lead to a damaged engine. Water in the lubricant is very dangerous, as it increases oxidization and this damages additive in the fluid.
This damage will eventually cause the engine to knock. You can avoid this problem with some basic diesel truck care, keeping the engine away from areas of high humidity and not leaving it to sit idle for a long period of time.
9. Glow Plug Problems
A diesel engine does not use spark plugs in the way a gas engine does. Instead, it uses glow plugs. An electric current passes through a heating element, causing plugs to glow and give off heat.
This will not generally cause a problem in summer. However, in cold weather, if your glow plugs are defective, it will cause a problem. Get them checked before the winter hits, or you may be left in trouble.
10. Hard Starting
When problems occur starting the engine, or if it takes a long time to start, it is usually a symptom of weight viscosity. In diesel engine fluids, viscosity is much higher than in gasoline engines. As people replace these fluids, they can get the viscosity wrong, which results in trouble starting.
Diesel Truck Repairs
Once you know the problem, book in diesel truck repairs and get an expert to address the issue. They may notice things you do not and will be able to perform precise testing and troubleshooting.
Your first stop should be We Fix Diesel Trucks. We are experts in diesel engine performance. Click here for a quote, so we can get your engine running smoothly and efficiently as quickly as possible.
