Several new diesel vehicles have been released this year by top manufacturers such as Jaguar, Chevrolet, Land Rover, Ford, and others.
Also, thanks to advancements in technology, it is possible for manufacturers to reduce the harmful emissions created by diesel engines.
There are many reasons why you may want to choose a diesel, including its low fuel consumption and higher torque.
With that said, there are some common problems that diesel vehicles are prone to experiencing. In this blog post, we’ll be looking at some of them.
- Black Smoke from Exhaust
Diesels are known to create a lot of smoke sometimes. If your vehicle is creating smoke – whether it is black or white – it is a cause for concern. There are many reasons why your diesel vehicle may be producing black smoke.
One of the most common reasons is an imbalance in the air to fuel ratio in your engine. You may be wondering; what does air have to do with the fuel combustion process? Well, with diesel engines, the fuel is vaporized and mixed with air before it burns up.
If there is more fuel than air in your engine during the combustion process, you are likely to see black smoke coming out of the exhaust.
This air and fuel ratio imbalance could be due to a problem with your air filter, diesel pump, injector, Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve or even your turbocharger (if you are using a turbocharged diesel engine).
This issue can easily be fixed, and the sooner you have it looked at by a mechanic, the better.
- Oil Change due to Oxidation
If you own a diesel vehicle, then you know the importance of changing the engine oil regularly. One reason is due to the accumulation of dust particles which affects the lubrication process.
If you have your vehicle parked in the garage for a few months or you use it only occasionally, you may think an oil change is not necessary. And you’d be wrong. Air bubbles trapped in the oil can affect lubrication and lead to rust in your engine.
Therefore, if you have not been using your diesel vehicle for some time, it is best to change the oil before you start driving it around again.
One way to avoid this is to start your engine at least once every week and leave it running for at least 30 minutes.
- Vehicle Won’t Start
Another issue that diesel owners are likely to experience is difficulties starting their vehicles – especially in the winter or when the weather gets hot in the summer. Changes in temperature can have an effect on the mechanism of diesel engines.
As you may know, diesel vehicles do not have spark plugs. Instead, air is compressed and mixed with fuel for combustion to take place.
If the weather is freezing, there may be issues with the compression process. It could also be due to an issue with fuel delivery or an engine problem.
On the other hand, in hot temperatures, the engine of your diesel car can overheat, and this could prevent it from starting properly.
Sometimes, leaving it to cool down solves the problem. Generally, if your car is taking too long to start or it won’t start at all, it is an indication that you need to have it checked by a professional mechanic.
Known Issues
These are just some of the issues that affect diesel vehicles. There are many others including battery problems, contaminated fuel, humidity issues, and more.
If you are based in Meridian, Idaho or neighboring cities, and you’re looking for experts to work on your diesel, Gem State Diesel and Turbo Repair is a terrific option.
We have a team of highly experienced mechanics who are equipped to deal with all types of diesel vehicles. Book an appointment online or call us on (208) 957-6106 to have your vehicle checked by experts you can trust.