Media post: 3 Maintenance Tips for Diesel Engines

Soot, smoke, noise, and lacklustre performance were correlated with diesel engines in the past. But as time goes on, the ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel has improved because of technological advancements. The diesel engine became quieter, more robust, and more dependable than before. The dawn of turbocharging and common-rail direct injection (CRDI) has also allowed diesel engines to become even more dynamic than previous diesel models.

Diesel engines are unique and intricate pieces of automobile material. Moreover, they’re not the same as standard gasoline-powered vehicles that you can use anytime. Because of that, there are some things you should be aware of before hitting the road with a diesel-powered vehicle and keeping that vehicle running smoothly.

Read on to find out.

1. Clean Diesel Particulate Filter

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is an exhaust after-treatment device designed to get rid of diesel particulate matter, ashes, or soot from the exhaust gas of the diesel engine. It usually uses a substrate created from ceramic material shaped into a honeycomb mixture. Manufacturers use DPF to comply to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) 2007 emission standards.

Likewise, you must clean your DPF every time you notice that the DPF light in your car’s dashboard is lighting up. Not cleaning your DPF can cause it to be blocked by soot or ashes. A filter blocked by these debris can cause your automobile’s system excessive backpressure. Also, it can affect your car’s speed, cause your engine to overheat, and make driving less fuel-efficient.

Throughout normal working conditions, the DPF will clean itself automatically by self-regeneration. However, note that at every regeneration cycle, some ashes can remain in the DPF, causing shorter regeneration intervals. Those kinds of situations call for DPF cleaning services sooner or later.

However, if you notice that your DPF needs replacement entirely, you can check https://www.dpfpartsdirect.com/ or other websites for a range of DPF parts for your diesel engine.

2. Take Care Of Your Engine’s Radiator

The radiator in your car allows the whole engine to be kept cool by transmitting its heat into the air. When the diesel engine gets hot, the radiator’s coolant goes throughout the engine to absorb the heat. The hot coolant cycles again back to the radiator to dissolve the heat into the air. After that, the cooled antifreeze goes back to the engine to repeat the process.

Because diesel engines tend to get warmer than gas motors, their radiators are susceptible to high temperatures, which can cause them to overheat. When the diesel engine undergoes overheating, the engine’s components, such as gasket seals and cylinders, may become warped, leading to more complicated and expensive issues such as engine failure.

To prevent problems caused by overheating, it’s ideal that you perform proper cooling system maintenance such as periodic coolant or radiator exchanges. Many automobile manufacturers advise that the radiator or coolant be exchanged every 40,000 to 60,000 miles, but it’s always advisable to check your automobile manufacturer’s recommendation for your vehicles.

To note, if you’re going to a radiator exchange service to replace your coolant or radiator, here are the things to expect:

• Your antifreeze will be rid of rust and impurities
• A specialized cleaning fluid will be pumped into the radiator and cooling system
• The radiator exchange service will load the system with a new antifreeze to help the engine cool effectively.

3. Replace Fuel Filters

Gas automobiles usually have a single fuel filter. On the other hand, most diesel engines consist of two fuel filters—the primary fuel filter, which is between the engine and the gas tank, and a second one between the fuel injectors and transfer pump.

Because of the less-refined nature of diesel, it tends to suck up more water from condensation in the tank. This caused manufacturers to create diesel engines with two fuel filters that you see today.

To note, when your diesel absorbs water particles, some things can occur:

• Decreased horsepower
• The chance that your fuel injectors could explode
• The possibility that your engine gets stalled

To prevent these types of problems in the future, you should always have complete car inspections and schedule preventive maintenance services. In addition, you can replace your fuel filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Do note to replace both fuel filters in your diesel engine for maximum efficiency and lifespan.

Conclusion

Before, substantial downsides could be seen in diesel engines. But because of technological advancements, these diesel engines have become quieter, more powerful, and more reliable.

Because of the upgrades seen in today’s diesel engines, one can note that they have become standard additions to the car equipment. Likewise, if you want to maintain the quality and longevity of your diesel engine, being aware of some maintenance tips is crucial. Some of those are in this article, so remember them to keep your diesel car running smoothly.