Keep the “Die” Out of Diesel

How to Protect Diesel Engines

Drivers who are accustomed to diesel powered vehicles are typically impressed with ease of maintenance and longevity. This explains why most long distance truck drivers prefer diesels. However, if you are new to diesel ownership, you may wonder how and when to perform service and repair tasks that will keep your vehicle in good condition for a long time. The ASE Certified technicians at London’s Automotive in Corvallis, Oregon, are here to help. Give us a call or come by for advice on all things diesel.

Important Basics

Although your diesel engine does not require ignition system tune-ups like gasoline motors do, there are still some basic service points that are essential to your vehicle’s health. Most new diesels (manufactured after 2010) have a urea tank and injection system which is designed to clean the nitrogen oxide (NOx) from the exhaust. Comparable to a gasoline engine’s catalytic converter exhaust system, the urea-based process is important because NOx is teh greatest pollutant released into the atmosphere through exhaust. The urea tank will need refilling periodically to continue working as intended. It’s also important to change the oil and filter regularly to ensure that moving parts are properly lubricated with clean, fresh oil. Dirty or degraded oil can lead to decreased efficiency and damage over time. Also, most diesel trucks have two batteries to ensure enough cranking amps to handle the high demand placed upon the system on start-up. If your ride has two batteries, make sure to keep both of them checked and maintained. Finally, it is critically important to change the fuel filters often. Most diesels have two fuel filters, one between the fuel tank and the engine (primary filter) and another that cleans fuel before it enters the engine. Failure to replace these frequently enough leads to clogs in the fuel injection system. Once this problem occurs, you usually need an expensive repair to get the vehcile operating properly again.

Local, Reliable Help

If you own a diesel, particularly if this is your first auto not powered by gasoline, it’s good to know that you have a reliable repair shop nearby. London’s Automotive is locally owned, and we have years of combined experience working on all things automotive. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with our community and serving you with all your diesel service and repair needs.