A Diesel engine has high levels of reliability, power, and torque to weight ratio. Therefore, it is used in vehicles such as trucks and buses. Its fuel efficiency is another factor that many have not considered diesel engines to be inferior to gasoline ones. Nonetheless, like all mechanical systems, diesel engines have their problems. Continue with reading as we list some of the common issues with a diesel engine and solutions for your engine repair.
Diesel vs Petrol Engine
Diesel engines have good fuel efficiency, compress air, and are suitable for heavy-duty vehicles. Meanwhile, petrol engines are suitable for small vehicles, combust a mixture of air and vaporized fuel with a spark plug, and give smoother performance than diesel engines.
Problems With Diesel Engine
The most common diesel engine problems are:
- Engine overheating
- Oil Leakages
- Oil Supply Problems
- Oxidation of Oil
- Using Wrong Fuel
Engine Overheating
The first cause of diesel engine breakdowns is the overheating of the engine. Engine overheating is caused when an engine is pushed too hard and can give rise to a whole host of negative side effects. Overheating an engine can result in many undesirable effects but is not limited to:
- Damage to the bearings and crankshaft.
- Pistons extending and rubbing on cylinder liners which also applies crushing pressure on the head gasket
- Cylinder heads swelling, warping, and cracking.
Oil Leakages
Oil leakage mostly develops only from complications in engine parts like worn-out seals and gaskets. Issues, such as neglecting oil leaks, are incredibly dangerous since the leaking oil will pollute the environment while also being flammable and can lead to complete engine failure.
Oil Supply Problems
Issues more related to specific oil supply result from either improper application of oil or shortage of it. Doing this harms all the engine parts because you used the wrong type of oil while not priming your engine making it run on air instead of oil breaking the engine.
Oxidation of Oil
Conduction can be described as oxidation where air bubbles are found to hinder lubrication within the system. Generally, it is seen that the oil of a diesel engine that has not been in use for months undergoes oxidation.
Using the Wrong Fuel
Misfuelling is a severe issue for diesel engines due to the diversity of sensitive components that are almost damaged and in need of replacement or an entirely new engine in most cases. To avoid one of the most prevalent issues with diesel engines, it’s always important to double-check which type of fuel is to be used next time you fill up.
Solutions of Diesel Engine
Every diesel engine is unique in its way. It is also important to consider that in diesel engines one has to find out what caused the problem and then do simple engine repair and consequent reassembly of the damaged parts. Easy solutions for engine overheating are proper functionality of the engine cooling system, adequate care towards maximum stress not being put on the engine, and consistent regular servicing. For oil leakages, to reduce the impact of the damages it is recommended that the leaking oil should be controlled as soon as possible.
Conclusion
At Hytec Auto Garage, we provide comprehensive engine maintenance. Our service includes overhauls, engine rebuilds, drivetrain, and anything in between. In case of any issue with your diesel engine parts, you should call us and schedule a certified technician to work on it.
