Car and truck engines, like any other piece of machinery used on a daily basis, will eventually fail. Continuous use, severe working conditions, wear and tear, defective parts, low-quality fuel, and a range of other factors all affect the work cycle and longevity of engines. While some issues are irreversible, others can be resolved quickly.
Learn how to recognize typical diesel engine issues so you’ll be prepared if your vehicle’s diesel engine fails.
- Oxidized Oil
Oil oxidation is typical in diesel trucks that stay in one place for an extended period of time, run infrequently, or are stored between seasons. Air gets into the oil and creates bubbles that impede proper lubrication, causing the engine to stutter or even fail. Even if the oil is in good condition, it should be replaced as soon as possible after this period of inactivity.
- Humidity Reactions
Water is another substance that could pollute the engine’s oil. If a truck sits or idles for an extended period of time in a humid or rainy area, hydration can cause the engine to knock. Water oxidizes and damages additives. It can also hinder the lubrication process, causing significant harm to the equipment.
- Black Exhaust Smoke
Diesel trucks emit significantly more smoke than other vehicles. They can also give out an unpleasant odour, which can stink up the cab and make breathing difficult.
Black exhaust is frequently caused by an imbalanced air-to-fuel ratio, which means there is too much fuel and not enough air. The problem could be caused by a defective injector, injector pump, air filter, EGR valve, or even turbocharger.
- Hard Starting
Some diesel engines take a long time to start. This is typically a sign of inadequate compression or a fuel delivery problem. If your vehicle is extremely difficult to start, cranks more than usual, or refuses to start at all, have it checked out right away.
- Lack of Power
Another fuel-related issue reveals itself as insufficient power. When it has trouble starting or accelerating, you’ll notice this. This problem can be caused by dirty intake filters, a loose throttle linkage, excessive lubrication, or problems with the fuel injectors.
- Failing Lead-Acid Storage Batteries
The lead-acid storage battery, which is an important part of the engine’s starter mechanism, is frequently under stress. If the storage battery fails or fails to function effectively, it can result in an unbalanced compression ratio. This, in turn, can have a detrimental impact on the starter system.
- Defective Glow Plug
Unlike gasoline-powered cars, diesel engines do not use spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air combination in their cylinders. Glow plugs, similar to the elements in a stove coil or toaster, are used to ignite the mixes through a high-resistance heating element. When a glow plug fails, the engine becomes impossible to start, especially in cold weather.
- Contaminated Fuel
Diesel is more viscous than gasoline, making it more susceptible to contamination. Glycol, dilution, soot, and water are the four most prevalent and harmful fuel impurities. If any of these pollutants get into the fuel system, it might cause serious engine problems.
- Higher Compression Ratio
The average compression ratio of a diesel engine is 20:1, while the average compression ratio of a gasoline engine is 8:1. This high compression ratio increases the engine’s power, smoothness, and efficiency, but it can also cause problems. It can, for example, cause the engine to bang more frequently as a result of an unfavorable burn pattern, and it can also cause fuel injection issues.
- Noise
The smell of a diesel engine is important, and it can also be an indication that something is wrong. Although diesel engines are naturally louder than other vehicles, if you hear uneven noise or obvious knocking, it could be a symptom of a problem with the fuel injectors. This can disrupt the compression balance and limit performance.
- Wrong Weight Viscosity
The improper weight viscosity of engine lubrication often makes it difficult to start the engine. Diesel lubricants have a substantially higher viscosity than gasoline, and many individuals mistake the viscosity weight when refilling the oil. Other times, they’ll use a single-weight engine oil in hot weather and then fail to convert to a multi-viscosity oil when the temperature cools. To avoid forgetting to swap and maybe harming the engine, it’s preferable to simply use a multi-viscosity oil all year.
Consult the Diesel Experts
Because diesel engine problems can quickly escalate into major and costly concerns, you should contact Turbo Express at the first sign of trouble. Some of the diesel engine issues mentioned in this article can affect any type of vehicle or machinery, therefore it’s important to have your engine serviced on a regular basis by our team of expert technicians and diesel engine mechanics.
You can reach us by calling 289-981-7002 or filling out the form on our booking page. If you need diesel truck repair in Milton, call us. We’ll do everything we can to get you back on the road.
