Hello and welcome! My name is Fareed, and this blog is about car repair. I plan to write about smash repair, body work, painting and other aspects of the industry. I also hope to include a few posts that will help you assess whether or not something is wrong with your car. I have worked on my own car for years, and recently, I've been embraced as the neighbourhood mechanic -- all my friends come to me for help. I'm not a professional mechanic, but I feel confident sharing this info with you as I've been working on cars for years. I am happy you found my blog and hope that you enjoy reading!
Diesel cars are generally more fuel efficient and have a longer working life than their petrol-powered cousins. If you own a diesel car, taking proper care of it is essential to keeping running at its best for as long as possible. That said, you should know what the worst enemies of diesel engine cars are.
Take a look at the top three common causes of diesel car trouble.
1. Bad/Wrong-Spec Diesel
When car manufacturers design and build an engine, they usually build it with a certain fuel specification in mind. But since there are different crude sources, the quality of diesel being sold out there may vary widely. When this happens, the performance of the engine may be hurt significantly.
Although car makers offer warranties on their engines, they sure can't warranty the fuel that comes out the pump. For this reason, you should understand the fuel characteristics required for your diesel engine so you can identify filling stations that meet the design specifications of your vehicle manufacturer. Otherwise, bad or wrong-spec diesel can easily affect the performance and mileage of your vehicle.
2. Water Infiltration
Bad fuel isn't the only fluid that is bad for your diesel car – water too can cause costly damage to it. If water mixes with the diesel in your car, it can hurt the performance of your car but also shorten its working life. Water can contaminate your diesel in many different ways including condensation, poor handling of the vehicle and certain environmental conditions.
Because water is denser or heavier than diesel, it will settle to the bottom of the fuel tank, creating the perfect environment for dirt accumulation and microbial growths. This can lead to rusting of the tank, as well as clogging of the fuel filter. Plus, any water that infiltrates the fuel injectors will reduce the lubrication qualities of diesel, thus accelerating general wear and tear of parts.
Ensuring the tank cap and all other components that protect your fuel system from water infiltration are intact at all times is critical to preventing water damage to your diesel engine. Replace any broken components that may allow water to contaminate your fuel.
3. Air Leaks
As well as bad diesel and water, air leaks can also hurt the efficiency of your diesel engine. This is because the engine will be fed with air instead of diesel. When the engine is deprived of fuel, it won't run at its best. Air can infiltrate the fuel system at various joints including the engine fuel filter, fuel lines, o-rings, seals and many more.
If air leaks are present in your fuel system, they'll need to be fixed and the system bled to remove the air. Any loose or broken parts that may be letting the air enter the system will need to be tightened and replaced respectively. Make sure your diesel car repairs are performed professionally. This will help to optimise the performance and lifespan of your vehicle.
For more information, schedule an appointment with a diesel mechanic near you.
Share27 January 2019
