Have problems lately with your diesel engine? Before you find diesel mechanic services near me, learn these 9 common issues diesel engines face.
When it comes to affordable cost and excellent mileage, diesel is the sure option.
It also has extra power compared to other kind, making it a nice bonus.
As with any vehicle, a diesel engine needs to be properly maintained so you don’t destroy the whole machine.
Maintaining a diesel engine is usually difficult for motorists who face diesel problems for the first time, especially if they are inexperienced with the equipment.
That’s why you need to find diesel mechanic services near me quickly.
Wear and tear could be the reason why the diesel engine part fails. But there are other issues that can also be more complicated.
In this article, you’ll learn about unique issues that your diesel engine can face.
1. Difficulty Starting
Sometimes, you might have to try several times before your diesel engine will pick up.
This happens mostly during the winter season.
Unlike engines that use fuel, which ignites through an electrical wire or spark plugs, diesel engines ignite through air compression.
A difficult start is revealing your engine has low compression or fuel delivery issues.
This is a very common experience throughout the winter.
The good thing is that a diesel engine consumes much less fuel than a gasoline engine.
So, maintaining it properly will help keep that fuel efficiency as high as possible.
2. Engine Noise
Diesel engines are usually noisier than gasoline ones. And because of the way the engine’s mechanical components were built, it’s impossible for it not to generate some noise.
The noise tends to become louder than expected over time.
But, a rough engine sound or obvious banging may be a sign of further issues.
It may be a defective fuel injector or a compression balance problem.
But proper diesel diagnostics must be done on it to be sure.
These problems may reduce the engine’s performance.
If you notice unusual noises, it is good to get your engine inspected by a specialist.
3. Engine Overheating

The biggest problem of a diesel vehicle is overheating the engine. This happens when you push the car beyond its maximum, leading to its overheating.
Apart from this, interference in the engine cooling system can also cause overheating.
Other causes include clogged diesel injectors, coolant leaks, damaged thermostat, and a defective cooling ventilator.
4. Black Engine Exhaust
When your diesel engine is emitting smoke, it’s not an alarming sign.
But black smoke coming from the exhaust is a sign of a bigger problem.
It is also a result of air and fuel mixing not mixing properly as they should.
When you notice black smoke, it means the fuel levels are higher than the ideal for the amount of air mixing.
Sometimes, this issue might get you into trouble with the authorities since you are not observing the clean air law.
Carrying out dot inspections can help detect the cause of the imbalances.
5. Oil Corrosion
Diesel engine oil must be kept free of solid debris and other liquids and free of air.
Engine lubricants corrode when they come into contact with oxygen.
It leads to a chemical reaction that usually results in oil thickening, which damages its lubricating properties.
This happens because the oil’s main function is to lubricate all engine parts, thus preventing the mechanism from overheating and preventing early wear and tear.
The corrosion problem is particularly common in cars that have not been used for a very long time.
These air bubbles can break the thin oil coatings between moving components, resulting in corrosion and friction.
This will cause the engine to be stalled or damaged or its parts to fail.
6. Low Power
Diesel engines are more powerful than gasoline engines. This is why heavy machinery mainly uses diesel engines.
At times, you might notice the power of your engine is low, especially when starting or accelerating.
Several things might cause this:
- dirty oil filters
- faulty fuel injectors
- excess or low lubrication
- loose throttle leakage
- clogged delivery lines for fuel
7. Fuel Contamination
Diesel is thicker than gasoline. That makes it vulnerable to contaminants, be it solid or liquid.
There are some major fuel contaminants to be aware of, including water, glycol, and coal.
The fuel system of a diesel engine is delicate, and contacting any contaminant will lead to severe engine damage.
So, you need to be very careful with how you transfer diesel from one place to another.
8. Damaged Glow Plug

An engine is usually difficult to start, especially during winter weather due to the extreme cold.
Diesel engines use glow plugs for their fuel combustion, unlike fuel engines that use spark plugs.
The plugs help start the machine since they ignite the air and fuel mixture.
When a pin is faulty or damaged, it’ll be impossible to start the engine.
The remedy for this is to take it to any diesel maintenance services to help change the old plug with a new one.
9. Oil Changes
For a diesel engine to function very well, it needs to have its oil changed regularly.
The added cost of changing the oil regularly causes some people to choose not to change it as often as expected.
The bad news is that this approach can cause more damage to the car, which could have easily been prevented.
This approach can cause the valve gear to develop issues, which makes the costs of repairs much higher compared to when you change the oil regularly.
Good maintenance will reduce the amount of diesel engine repair, saving money in the long run.
Conclusion
Regardless of these many common problems with diesel vehicles we’ve talked about, they can still give you a good service.
That’s only if you maintain them and take care of the different components, especially the engine.
There are diesel engine repair solutions for every problem you might face with your vehicle.
If you are not familiar with how to maintain your diesel engine or solve diesel issues, you should always consult with a professional mechanic.
Simple diesel mechanic services near me search online can help you.