Diesel Engine Maintenance Tips

Having a vehicle that runs on a diesel engine means there will be certain necessary maintenance that differs significantly from that of typical gasoline vehicles. One of the best ways to take care of your diesel vehicle is by properly maintaining the engine. There are several areas of the engine you should know to check. Learn some diesel engine maintenance tips by reading below.

Check on Your Coolant

When you have a vehicle that uses a diesel engine, it’s crucial to consistently monitor the coolant. This substance is what regulates your engine’s temperature. However, over time, it can become acidic. When the chemical remains acidic for an extended period, parts of your vehicle’s cooling system can rot out, such as the radiator. As such, it’s important to know the main parts of a diesel engine. Flush your coolant when the need arises. You can also test its acidity levels to give you an idea if it needs to be changed.

Keep the Engine Clean

You’ll need to keep your engine clean to preserve its condition. Your engine’s components can sustain significant damage just from dirt and grime buildup. The dirtier the engine becomes, the worse you’ll notice its performance getting. Ultimately, this can significantly shorten the vehicle’s lifespan compared to the length you’d see if you cleaned it properly. Make sure the fuel, oil, and air remain clean. Since these three substances circulate throughout the engine the most, they will have the most impact on its cleanliness.

Change Out Your Fuel Filters

Your fuel filters will likely need replacing roughly every 10,000-15,000 miles. You should schedule routine maintenance around this time to change out the filter. In diesel engines, you’ll typically find two fuel filters—a primary and a secondary filter. You’ll need to replace them both at the same time. If one remains dirty, your clean filter will get dirty more quickly than it otherwise would have.

Replace Air Filters When Necessary

Another of our diesel engine maintenance tips is to change your air filters. The nice part of this part of engine maintenance is that you can check the filters without removing them. If they happen to need changing, you can take your vehicle to a mechanic to replace them. The state of the filters can depend on the climate and environment you live and typically drive in.