Diesel engines are known for their durability, but they still need routine maintenance to stay in top condition. Find a diesel repair shop with experienced technicians to ensure your vehicle continues to perform at its best.

Many diesel mechanics begin their career with a high school diploma and complete vocational training through a community college or technical school. Look for a program that provides industry certification. Visit https://www.dieselprokansascity.com to learn more.

While your engine is hard at work powering you through your daily journeys, it also generates heat. Over time, this can lead to the engine overheating if it isn’t properly maintained or repaired. When this happens, it’s important to act fast before the damage can become irreparable.

Your car’s cooling system is responsible for removing excess heat from your engine, but a malfunctioning radiator or thermostat can inhibit this process and cause the vehicle to overheat. The easiest way to tell if your engine is overheating is to look at the temperature gauge on your dashboard. If it moves into the red zone, this is a sign that the engine needs immediate attention and you should pull over in a safe place and shut off the engine.

If you can’t immediately stop driving, you should open up the windows and sunroof to allow more air to enter and release the heat. You can also turn off your air conditioning to reduce stress on the engine and help it cool down more quickly. If you see steam or smoke coming from under the hood, it’s even more urgent to stop driving and take the vehicle to your local repair shop.

While you’re waiting for your mechanic to arrive, be sure to drive with caution and avoid harsh braking or aggressive swerving on the road. Additionally, be sure to monitor your temperature gauge while you’re waiting. If it begins to rise, you’ll need to find another safe spot to pull over and shut off your engine once again. Then, you’ll be ready to continue your journey after the engine has had some time to cool down.

Faulty Battery

A battery is responsible for starting the engine and powering electrical components including lights, radios and the dashboard. It also stores energy generated by the alternator and regulates voltage for the engine while you drive.

A faulty battery may cause problems such as flickering overhead lights or a slow cranking engine. You should always pay attention to your battery and consider replacing it if you notice any signs of trouble.

You should also keep an eye on the age of your battery. A battery has a limited lifespan, and it can begin to fail at around three to five years depending on driving habits, climate and maintenance. Keeping an eye on the battery and regularly cleaning the terminals will help prevent corrosion and prolong its life.

A battery that shows visible signs of corrosion is usually at the end of its life and needs to be replaced. Corrosion on the terminals can hinder electrical flow and cause starting problems. Using a solution of baking soda and water or automobile-safe lubricant can help remove corrosion from the battery’s terminals.

Another sign of a failing battery is a low voltage warning light on the dash. A low voltage indicator often means there is a problem with the battery or charging system, and it should be checked out by a professional.

A faulty battery can also damage your alternator, which can leave you with a dead car. The alternator is responsible for recharging the battery and providing power to your vehicle’s electric components while you’re driving, such as power steering and windows.

Oil Oxidation

The chemical process of oxidation happens when your engine oil reacts with oxygen. This causes a permanent change to your oil, causing its molecules to lose electrons. This can lead to a variety of problems including sludge formation, increased oil viscosity, depletion of additives and overall degradation.

Oxidation is accelerated by water, acid, metal ions and other contaminants in your diesel engine. This is why it is important to use high quality synthetic oils that can withstand these conditions. You can test your oil with a FTIR spectrometer to see how much oxidation has occurred.

As oxidation progresses, it can create sludge and varnish in your engine. It can also cause your engine to fail and damage equipment. You can prevent oxidation by changing your oil regularly and using high-quality engine oil that is designed to resist oxidation at elevated temperatures.

Modern diesel engine hardware has pushed the boundaries of lubricant performance and requires more robust formulations to protect against oxidation. This is why API CK-4 was introduced to help reduce the amount of oxidation in engines by incorporating more advanced additives. The Volvo T-13 test is another new engine testing method that began pushing the boundaries of oxidation stability.

It has been found that oxidation of engine oil is most rapid when it reaches high temperature. When the engine is idling, the oil will oxidize slower. The oxidation value will increase with each day that the oil is thermostatted at a higher temperature. This is why it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s drain interval guidelines and keep track of your oxidation level. The auto-oxidation cycle is the series of chemical reactions that break down your engine oil. Antioxidants in lubricants help to interrupt these reactions at specific points in the cycle.

Black Exhaust Smoke

Black exhaust smoke is not only unsightly but it’s also an indicator that your car is burning fuel more than necessary. This could lead to serious problems with your engine and it’s not good for the environment either. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to stop this from happening.

First, check your air filter. If it’s clogged, it will cause the engine to run rich and burn more fuel than necessary. This will also affect your gas mileage and reduce your engine performance. A new air filter should resolve the issue in most cases.

Another common cause of black smoke is a faulty oxygen sensor. This sensor measures the amount of air entering the combustion chamber and tells the ECU how much fuel to pump in. If the sensor is defective, it will inject too much fuel, leading to a rich air-fuel mixture and resulting in black exhaust smoke.

If you are unable to determine the cause of the problem, it may be best to consult with a mechanic. This will allow them to perform a comprehensive inspection of your diesel engine and identify the root cause of the smoke.

A thorough diesel engine diagnostic will include tests for cylinder compression, injector flow and more. Performing these regular maintenance checks will prevent carbon deposits from building up and causing excessive smoke. In addition, it will help to keep the engine in peak condition and ensure it’s operating at maximum efficiency. Taking care of these issues as soon as possible will save you money in the long run and avoid costly repairs in the future. In addition, a professional technician will be able to test your emissions and help you pass your state’s environmental inspections.

Failed Bearings

Bearing failure is a huge problem, often leading to costly downtime, high maintenance costs and lost productivity. While bearings do not last forever, they can be repaired to extend their life. Understanding the primary causes of bearing failure and knowing what warning signs to look out for can help businesses prevent future problems.

One of the most common causes of bearing failure is improper lubrication. This can include using the wrong lubricant, not having enough lubrication or operating at excessive temperatures that degrade the lubricant.

Another common cause of bearing failure is electrical damage. This occurs when currents pass through the bearing causing arcing, erosion and pitting. Electrical damage is a serious issue that can lead to premature bearing failure, but it can be prevented by using insulated bearings and/or grounding to stop current from flowing through the bearings.

A third common reason for bearing failure is excessive heat, which can be caused by several factors including:

Bearings that are operating at an unacceptable temperature can be identified by examining the running surfaces for fractures and/or small particles of material on the rolling elements or inner or outer rings. This condition is called spalling and is a progressive issue that will get worse with continued operation. It is also a good idea to monitor the temperature of all bearings by checking their operating manual for product specific temperatures and ensuring they are not exceeding this limit.