Our ASE-certified Technicians see these diesel problems frequently:
Low Power
You bought your diesel vehicle expecting terrific towing and hauling power. If it’s not delivering, here are some possibilities. A filthy air filter can obstruct the airflow to the fuel injection system. Your engine is a big air pump, and power loss results when the airflow is impeded. The fuel injection system is reliable but can develop problems over time. The injectors will develop deposits with age. We will troubleshoot your power-loss problem and have you hauling big loads quickly.
Starting Problems
Diesels are compression ignition engines. They don’t need spark plugs to operate; heat from the compression stroke ignites the fuel. For starting, diesel engines require a heat source; glow plugs serve that purpose. Like spark plugs, glow plugs have diminished capability as they age and must be replaced on a schedule. Let us find the source if you experience a hard starting diesel engine. It may only need new glow plugs.
Another cause of difficult starting is incorrect engine oil. Because they run hot, diesel engines use higher viscosity oil than gasoline engines. Often a higher-than-recommended viscosity oil is suggested for an oil burner. Thicker oil stresses the starter and can lead to a prematurely worn-out starter.
Diesel engines have a high compression ratio to generate enough heat to ignite the fuel. A high compression ratio also stresses the starting system. Some diesel drivers replace their worn-out battery with a lower-rated one that is inadequate for starting a diesel. Bring your hard-starting diesel to us, and we may find your starting problems are due to a bad battery or a worn-out starter.
If you experience poor running, the problem may be water-contaminated fuel. Many operators don’t fill up until it is time to drive their trucks. A mostly empty tank will fill with moist air during the day. At night the air in the tank cools below the dew point, and the water in the air condenses.
If you continue that process, water-laden fuel will cause poor running and a rusty fuel tank. The rust will clog your fuel filter, causing more problems. The answer is to park your diesel vehicle with a full fuel tank. If you already have a poorly running car, bring it to us to remedy your water and rusty tank problem.
Black Smoke
When the fuel/air mixture is rich, extra fuel comes out of the tailpipe as smoke. Several malfunctioning parts cause excessive black smoke. A broken injector pump, old injectors, a clogged air filter, or a faulty turbocharger are possible culprits. If you put down a smoke screen as you accelerate, we will get to the bottom of it cost-effectively.
Don’t let a minor problem become a big expensive one. Visit our website or call us for any repairs you need for your diesel-engined vehicle.
