A diesel vehicle has many benefits over a gasoline vehicle, including better fuel economy, improved torque power, and a smoother drive. To enjoy those benefits and prolong your car’s performance, it’s crucial to maintain your diesel engine so it doesn’t degrade over time.
Diesel technology has some slightly different maintenance requirements than the average gasoline-powered engine. Keep your diesel in optimal condition with regular maintenance tasks.
Use the Correct Fuel
Diesel and gasoline engines function differently, so it is crucial to use the correct type of fuel for your vehicle. Diesel engines don’t use spark plugs to ignite the fuel; they use the heat generated by compressed air.
If you use regular gasoline in your diesel vehicle, the engine’s fuel injectors will malfunction, which can cause permanent damage or even total engine failure. Once your fuel levels start getting low, always fill the tank with diesel fuel.
Clean Your Engine
Keeping your diesel engine clean of dirt and contaminants can help you avoid rust and lengthen the engine’s life.
You might be able to wash your engine off using plain water, but some parts of the engine block (as well as its electrical connections) can’t safely be exposed to water. If you can’t cover up these parts, try using a leafblower on low to blast away the dust.
Replace Your Fuel Filters
Like gasoline vehicles, it’s essential to clean or replace diesel fuel filters so they don’t get clogged. Clogged fuel filters can increase your diesel fuel consumption and reduce engine power. Changing your fuel filters every 20,000-30,000 miles ensures that your engine receives clean fuel for optimal combustion and maximum power output.
You can’t just replace a single fuel filter in a diesel engine. Diesel engines have secondary fuel filters because diesel fuel is more likely to become contaminated with water particles; two filters ensure the water from condensation won’t get into the engine.
Take Care of Your Engine Oil
Motor oil is essential for any engine. Without enough oil, the engine components can’t run smoothly: the fuel injectors will stutter, the pistons will catch, and your vehicle risks overheating and excessive engine wear.
You should perform frequent checks to ensure optimal oil levels and top up your diesel oil if it’s low. If your oil levels keep dropping faster than they should look around for potential oil leaks.
You also need to remember to change your oil filters. These filters catch unwanted oil additives, grit, and debris. Clogged oil filters wreck your fuel efficiency and ability to pass an emissions test. The next time you get an oil change, get the filter changed as well.
Swap Your Air Filter
Most vehicles only need their air filters changed every 10,000-15,000 miles. However, if you have a dirty air filter, you’ll likely notice an increase in fuel consumption and a loss of power. Exchanging it for a clean air filter can dramatically improve your diesel’s performance.
Check Your Coolant
Keeping your engine cool is critical in all vehicles, especially diesel vehicles. If the engine temperature gets too high, the engine can overheat and break down, so it’s vital to ensure your diesel has enough fresh coolant available.
If you’re having recurring problems with your engine overheating, schedule an appointment with your mechanic to look for coolant leaks or other issues.
Replace Your Diesel Particulate Filter
Where gas engines primarily emit carbon dioxide from their exhaust systems, diesel exhaust systems also emit soot, which is toxic to breathe and harmful to the environment. Diesel exhaust fluid helps reduce the amount of these harmful particles, while diesel particulate filters are designed as a stopgap to keep the remaining soot out of the air. However, these filters will eventually get clogged and need replacement.
Maintain the Radiator
Your diesel radiator is part of what lowers the engine temperature. When your vehicle’s coolant heats up, it makes its way to the radiator, which diffuses the heat and allows it to escape the engine compartment. However, if the radiator is old or damaged, your engine may begin overheating far more frequently. If you notice your car getting hotter more often, or if lifting the hood reveals signs of a coolant leak, you’ll need to take it to a technician.
Check the Glow Plug
Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines don’t require spark plugs; they generate enough heat in the combustion chamber to ignite their fuel. In cold temperatures, the heat is often absorbed into the cold metal of the engine. As a safeguard, many diesel engines have glow plugs to guarantee the fuel ignites.
While glow plugs burn your diesel fuel, they can also burn out over time. If you notice your diesel is having a tougher time starting up in extreme conditions, call Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a replacement glow plug.
Have a Routine Maintenance Schedule
No matter what fuel your vehicle uses, it’s essential to get it regularly checked out by a trusted diesel mechanic. Regular vehicle maintenance can help all parts of your engine run in excellent condition. You might not like the thought of paying preventive maintenance costs, but the cost of repair is far higher.
Get Your Diesel Engine Tune-Up at Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Are you looking for the best repair shop in the Albion, MI, area? Give Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram a call at (517) 436-0433, or set up an appointment using our online service form. Whether you need a quick engine check or a full-scale diesel engine tuning, our experienced mechanics are ready to help you get your engine running at its peak performance once again.
