Six Tips for People New To Diesel Engines
Modern diesel engines are a feat of engineering, combining impressive power with fuel efficiency. Their environmental friendliness and fairly low maintenance have been the cause of their long-time popularity in Europe, and they are recently beginning to become more common in the U.S. Given the slew of benefits they carry, diesel engines may quite possibly become more popular than gas engines someday. If you're like most U.S. drivers, you're probably not very familiar with diesel engines. Here are some tips to get you introduced.
1) Nearly all new diesel engines come equipped with a turbo-charger. Think of a turbo-charger as a jet engine - it forces outside air into the engine and increases efficiency and performance. Turbo-chargers are very powerful, so great care must be taken to make sure the air entering the turbo-charger is clean and clear of debris. Therefore, it's important that the air filter on your diesel is clean and changed often. Most manufacturers equip their vehicles with electronic sensors that will tell you to check or replace your air filter, and when this sensor tells you to change the air filter, do so immediately. If you ignore this warning, you could damage your engine.
2) The fuel filter in a diesel engine is very important, since diesel fuel isn't as clean and pure as gasoline. Your car has sensors which will tell you if your fuel filter is clogged, and you should take action quickly after this sensor goes off. Neglecting a clogged fuel filter can result in you being stranded on the road. Fuel filters need to be changed more often than gas fuel filters, so you should expect to replace your fuel filter earlier than normal.
3) You may be surprised to learn that diesel fuel contains water! A little bit of water won't damage your engine, but the vast majority of modern diesels are fitted with water/fuel separators regardless. Some vehicles may require you to manually remove the water from the diesel's fuel system. Your owner's manual will tell you how to do this, and how often to do it. If DIY is not your thing, many service facilities are willing to do this for you at little to no charge, and will dispose of the water/fuel solution in an environmentally friendly manner.
4) Diesel engines generally burn some of the engine's lubricating oil during normal function. This is why they've earned the nickname "oil burners", and why it's important to check your engine's oil level between oil changes. Let the engine cool for at least 30 minutes before checking the oil, and make sure the vehicle is level. Refer to your owner's manual to know when you need to add more oil, based on your dipstick reading.
5) Cold temperatures are bad for diesel engines. Your diesel engine will start up harshly and take a long time to warm up if the temperature outside is low. If it's extremely low outside, with a temperature of -10F or lower, diesel engines might not work at all. It's very important that you remember to use your diesel's block heater. The block heater is an electrical plug on your car that keeps your engine warm, using electricity from your home. Use the block heater at least whenever the temperature drops below zero outside, and at best, whenever the temperature is below freezing. This protects your engine, so it can continue to start smoothly and warm up quickly. Refer to your owner's manual to locate the block heater on your vehicle.
6) All new engines have a break-in period, and new diesel engines are no different. The break-in for a new diesel is usually from 500 to 1000 miles. Check your manual to find out what the average period is for your vehicle. During this break-in period, manufacturers will recommend that you do not drive at sustained speeds, such as on long trips on the highway, and do not haul or tow anything. Your engine will continue to improve in power and efficiency for 20,000 to 30,000 miles after the initial break-in period is over, since diesel engines reach their peak performance levels after lots of time and use. Most long-time diesel engine owners say their diesel began to truly perform only after a year or two of use.
Overall, it's very important for new diesel owners to familiarize themselves with their engine manual. Diesel owners need to pay close attention to air and fuel filter warnings, check engine oil between scheduled changes, purge water from the fuel system as needed, and use the block heater during colder temperatures. This may seem like a lot of work to perform on top of regular vehicle maintenance, but the reward will be power, fuel efficiency, and 200,000+ of great performance.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
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