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Top Signs of Diesel Engine Failure and Why They Happen

While diesel engines outperform gasoline engines, it doesn’t mean they are invulnerable to failure. Even if you take good care of your diesel truck, there’s no guarantee that it won’t break down at some point in the future. Here are some top signs of diesel engine failure.

Choate Engineering Performance is here to help with all your diesel engine needs. Call us at (901) 553 – 9847 or drop us a message here. 

Whether you frequent stop-and-go traffic in the city or travel country routes, it’s important to know what signs indicate engine problems and when it’s time for repairs. Here are some of the most common signs of diesel engine failure, their reasons, and how to properly address them.

Engine Oil Issues

If you notice your engine is leaking oil, it’s more than likely that gaskets need to be replaced. This can lead to higher fuel consumption and lower performance—a glaring sign of diesel engine failure.

Additionally, an improper amount of oil in your engine may cause damage if too much or too little is used. This leads to premature engine parts wear and decreases your vehicle’s life span.

It is important to note that choosing the right engine oil is no walk in the park. It can be tricky and tremendously confusing, but it is essential to the health of your engine. Luckily for you, our Choate Engineering Performance team knows exactly what your engine needs!

We offer revolutionary “oil change in a box” kits and oil analysis kits to maximize your engine’s performance and keep it running smoothly. That way, you can prevent costly problems instead of dealing with them unarmed.

Filthy Diesel Air Filter

A dirty air filter is another common sign of diesel engine failure and can offshoot other problems. If the filter is clogged with debris, it will expand the load on your engine’s fuel system, leading to increased emissions and reduced fuel economy.

The problem is that diesel engines are designed to run on only clean air. That’s why cleaning or changing your air filter every 10-15,000 miles is advisable. Failure to do so can lead to poor engine performance, reduced fuel mileage, and malfunctioning turbocharger.

Dirt and dust end up in the cylinders when they pass through the air filter. If you clog or restrict your air filter, you’ll wear out your turbocharger’s thrust bearings prematurely. 

An indicator that your turbocharger has failed is when you start seeing thick, black smoke. So, you better check and clean your air filter once in a while to avoid serious diesel engine failure.

Faulty Injector Pump

The injector pump is the heart of the diesel engine. When an injector fails, this can cause poor performance, poor acceleration, and high emissions, immediately causing diesel engine failures.

You can easily tell if it happens as it produces eminent signals you can’t fail to acknowledge. These include the vehicle won’t start, the RPM needle starts shaking, the engine sputtering, and power loss.

Some common causes of faulty injectors include:

• Injectors that have become loose or dislodged
• Bad injector timing
• Failed wiring connections between the injectors and their respective sensors

• Poorly designed or worn-out seals due to failure by oil pressure or heat
• Low fuel tank level
• Foreign objects penetrating the injector 

Excessive Exhaust Emissions

This can mean that your catalytic converter has failed, resulting in an excessively high amount of exhaust gases being released into the atmosphere. A diesel engine failure sign that’s often misunderstood as just the car’s common sign of aging.

If you notice white smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, it’s likely due to a problem with your engine’s compression ratio. If black smoke comes from your exhaust pipe, this could be caused by an oil leak in the piston rings or cylinder head gasket. 

Either way, it’s not good news, so you should act fast before it worsens.

Diesel Engine Failure Conclusion

It’s extremely important to watch these four signs if you have a diesel engine, especially those who are diesel truck owners. If your vehicle often loses its cool and shows any of these signs, you might want to get it checked by a professional.

For more information about our diesel engine products and services, contact us at (901) 553 – 9847 or drop us a message here.

3 Biggest Challenges and Solutions for a Diesel Mechanic Shop Owner

Diesel mechanic shop owners in this competitive machine and repair industry is not an easy feat. But when it comes down to it, recognizing what obstacles to expect and knowing how to overcome them is essential for your business to continue to grow and thrive.

This article touches on the three biggest challenges of owning a diesel mechanic shop and the best ways to resolve them.

1. Hiring Mechanics

One of the biggest problems for diesel mechanic shop owners is hiring qualified personnel. Of course, this problem can be found in virtually any industry, as Mike Rowe – famed host of the TV series ‘Dirty Jobs’ – has so acutely pointed out. But finding the right people for skilled trades, ones with the right skillsets and specialty knowledge is easier said than done.

Business owners invest millions of dollars annually to determine who their customers are. We spend so much time scrutinizing our customer base and know our clientele from the inside out. We know they eat at steak houses on Friday night, pick up lumber at Lowes Saturday morning, and haul their boat back from the lake Sunday afternoon.

That being said – the same approach should be taken when hiring mechanics. 

Employee retention is simply higher among enthusiasts of the industry. Instead of combing through job sites and ending up with a guy “just looking for a job,” go to a race track. There you’ll find someone willing to spend all their hard-earned money 1/4 of a mile at a time and work late on a Friday night just to make a pass – and that’s exactly the kind of person you want to work with within this industry.

We strongly encourage you to check out your local 4H if you are in a rural area. Those kids all grew up working on tractors, and a good work ethic is a standard issue on a farm. The most remarkable trait is dependability; nothing is more important for an employee than being someone you can rely on.

2. Parts Shortages

In the last two years, we have seen firsthand the challenges that global shortages have caused. From auto manufacturers that have shut down production due to a lack of electrical components to lead times so long that you start to question the feasibility of buying a horse and buggy instead – delays are frustrating. And not just for the customers but for the owners as well.

For shops that are limited to space and bays, the last thing you want to do is to tie up your lifts with cabs hanging in the air, waiting for parts that keep getting pushed back. The good news is: Choate can help with this!

Though we are best known for our tough and high-performing engines, one of our best-kept industry secrets is actually our parts department. Choate builds numerous engines, which in turn helps us get better pricing with our manufacturers. We stock plenty of different parts consistently, so we’re confident we can take care of you in time to get your customer back on the road. If you need something and you don’t see it on our website, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We can most definitely work something out.

3. Customer Acquisition

Customer acquisition is the lifeblood of any business. While spending money on ads is a good investment, there’s no denying the power of word of mouth. Think about the endless possibilities if every customer came to you through a referral!

On that note, did you know that our Preferred Installers (PI) receive leads for engine installs whenever they team up with Choate? That’s right – not only can you have confidence in knowing that you’re installing the best engine, but you can also be confident about who is installing it.

To learn more about our nifty PI plan, feel free to reach out to us anytime.

Final Thoughts for Diesel Mechanic Shop Owners

Building and sustaining a successful diesel mechanic shop is largely about identifying barriers and knowing the right action to conquer them. With this article, we hope we’ve provided you with valuable insight and keen advice to benefit you and your business in the long term.

For more information about our diesel engine products and services, contact us at (901) 553 – 9847 or drop us a message here.

Our Top 10 Tips for Diesel Mechanics

We’ve assembled a list of the top 10 tips for diesel mechanics. This list contains practical tips to help you get started as a mechanic or improve your existing skills!

Choate Engineering Performance is here to help with all your diesel engine needs. Call us at (901) 553 – 9847 or drop us a message here. 

Top 10 tips for diesel mechanics:

1. Safety first

We cannot stress this enough: safety is paramount in this line of work. You’re dealing with machinery that can be hazardous and expensive to repair. 

Hence, it’s critical to know exactly how the machines work. Always wear safety gear to protect yourself from injury and ensure a first aid kit is handy in an emergency. 

2. Start small

It can be anything from learning how to change the oil on your own truck or working in the shop. The more comfortable you become with simple tasks, the more likely you will feel confident tackling larger projects—such as rebuilding an engine or rebuilding a transmission.

So don’t be afraid of asking questions. Everyone has gone through what you’re going through now! 

3. Know how to use each of your tools properly

In addition to knowing your tools, it’s also important to know how to use them properly. A torque wrench is a must-have for your toolbox. Learn how to use a torque wrench to accomplish your automotive projects.

It’ll also reduce time spent looking around for tools when needed most: while working on an engine! The same goes with manuals; having access makes finding information much easier than having no references!

4. Repetition is everything

Repetition is the key to learning. The more you repeat something, the better you will get at it. And just like anything else, you can only improve with practice. Practice makes perfect!

If you want to be a diesel mechanic and have some strong knowledge of how engines work, then repetition is essential. You should practice every day until it becomes second nature for you to know how everything works together in an engine.

5. Watch your posture and technique

Mindfulness is a buzzword, but it’s really important in diesel mechanics. You need to be aware of your positions and what you’re doing with your hands, arms, shoulders, and back. 

It’ll quickly become hard-to-break habits if you aren’t using proper techniques for certain tasks like tightening bolts. Paying close attention helps prevent this and saves time in the long run!

6. Communication is key

It always helps to communicate with your customers, your team, and other professionals to get the job done right. Here are some ways you can improve your communication skills:

• Be a good listener
• Read body language
• Use the appropriate tone of voice
• Know what you want to say before you say it

7. Continue learning while you’re working

The more you know, the better your chances of success. If you’re working for someone else, that’s great! Just keep learning on the job. 

If you’re self-employed or starting a business, keep learning on your own time. You never know when something new will come up that needs to be mastered quickly.

Also, remember to become certified. It enhances your trust ratings among your peers and customers.

8. Treat your workplace as a place of business

The best way to treat your workplace as a place of business is to treat it with respect. Respect everyone and always do the job to the best of your ability. 

If something needs to be done, do it right away. So it doesn’t pile up and become overwhelming. 

Keep track of all the work orders that come in so that you know what needs to be done first. Then tackle those tasks in order of priority.

9. Know your customer base

When you know your customer base, you will be able to understand what they need and expect from you. You can also identify the pain points that they are experiencing.

In addition, knowing what your customers want to achieve will help you provide the best service possible. It’ll allow you to create a relationship with your customers and make them feel comfortable working with you.

10. Have pride in your work

It’s important to have pride in your work as a diesel mechanic because it helps you stay motivated, which is important for any job.

When you’re proud of what you do and your job, staying motivated is easier. It helps you keep working hard and doing your best, even when things get tough.

Tips for Diesels Mechanics Conclusion

So, that’s our top ten tips for becoming a diesel mechanic. As you read through these, we hope you’ve found them useful and inspiring for your career plans. 

For more information about our diesel engine products and services, contact us at (901) 553 – 9847 or drop us a message here.