Gem State Diesel, the premier diesel engine parts and diesel engine repair specialists in the Meridian, Caldwell and Nampa region, has compiled a list of the questions their clients most often ask. For diesel maintenance Boise drivers find useful, a local company with years of experience servicing GMC-Chevy Duramax, Dodge-Cummins or Ford-Powerstroke engines can answer regional diesel owners' questions. How much more economy can a diesel engine provide than a gasoline-powered engine?
Under ideal conditions, diesel gives up to 30 percent improved fuel economy over gasoline. In practice, many factors influence that fuel economy. Some factors are unavoidable; a commercial diesel vehicle towing heavy loads or driving in the city will suffer some loss to its efficiency. However, owners can take steps to improve their vehicles' efficiency with proper maintenance of the engine's diesel fuel injection pump, especially for common rail injectors. Diesel engine parts are precisely machined and can suffer significant deterioration in performance from relatively small issues such as poor fuel quality. Drivers who use agricultural diesel, for instance, will not usually see the same efficiency as commercial diesel offers. A diesel engine parts retailer and installer can recommend ways to get greater fuel economy and suggest appropriate fuel types for any GMC-Chevy Duramax, Dodge-Cummins or Ford-Powerstroke engine.
Is it safe to let a diesel engine idle to keep it warm?
During the coldest months of a chilly Idaho winter, many diesel owners let their trucks idle rather than risk fuel gelling in cold conditions. While this practice is safe for newer engines, it can cause oil to degrade more rapidly and cause more wear on the engine. An hour-long idling period is the equivalent of a 25-mile drive, so take this extra wear into consideration when scheduling important maintenance tasks. Check oil regularly and take the vehicle to a diesel engine repair shop to set up a proper maintenance schedule for it.
What causes black, smoky exhaust?
When fuel burns incompletely, the remainder leaves the exhaust system as black smoke. In many cases, the alarming symptom has a quick and relatively inexpensive cure. A diesel fuel injection pump that leaks fuel or injects it at the inappropriate time can cause black smoke to billow from the exhaust pipe. Common rail injectors reduce this problem when they function properly, but incorrect timing can also cause these fuel injection systems to produce smoke. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve sometimes becomes stuck; without this outlet, exhaust becomes hotter and produces smoky residue. Some vehicles are particular about their fuel blend and cough black smoke when they get a lower grade of fuel. Sulfur-rich agricultural diesel can cause tractors and other working diesel vehicles to smoke.
Gem State offers diesel maintenance Boise, Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell, Idaho, drivers have trusted years. With more than 50 years of experience, the diesel specialists at Gem State have kept thousands of engines in good running order.
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