Diesel engines come with numerous benefits but they also experience problems. This isn’t unusual. Anything mechanical will break down eventually. United Diesel works hard to ensure our customers’ diesel engines never cause them any trouble, but we do run across the same issues most of the time when something does breakdown. Here are four common diesel engine problems.
Oil Oxidation
If your diesel engine hasn’t been started and run for quite some time, chances air has made its way into the motor and transmission oils and these oils have oxidized. Oxidation means there are air bubbles in the oil, which causes problems as the oil circulates through the running engine or transmission. If you continue to drive your diesel vehicle with oxidized oil, the air bubbles will damage the engine or your vehicle’s transmission. Oxidation is bad.
Humidity
One thing we do in Flowery Branch, GA, is get humid. Air bubbles can wreak havoc on your diesel engine and so can excess moisture. Excess moisture caused by a humid environment mixes with engine lubricants and breaks them down so they don’t lubricate as well. Excess moisture also rusts engine parts. Humidity isn’t always a diesel’s friend but regular maintenance can prevent moisture damage because we can find it before it becomes a problem.
Exhaust
Diesel engines release exhaust but that release should not be overbearing. You shouldn’t see a ton of black exhaust coming out of your exhaust pipe(s). If your diesel is releasing too much exhaust into the air, you probably have too much diesel fuel in the engine’s fuel/air mixture. Your fuel mileage will suffer because of this mixture imbalance and you’ll find yourself filling up more often because your engine is burning excess fuel.
Hard Starts
Diesel engines have a harder time starting in cold weather. In fact, diesel engines have a harder time starting at all. This isn’t because there’s something wrong; diesel engines are reliable, powerful, and efficient engines. It’s just how they’re built. They don’t use a spark-plug ignition system to start. Rather, they use air compression and glow plugs to ignite the air and fuel. This means you might have to crank your diesel more to fire it up.
If you notice something is off with your vehicle’s diesel engine, call United Diesel in Flowery Branch, GA, today. We would be happy to inspect your vehicle for diesel engine problems, provide the appropriate repair, and get you back on the road.
