"Diesel Facts"

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Diesel Services of Northern Colorado,
1828 East Mulberry, Unit D
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Telephone: (970) 221-9280
E-mail: info@dsnc.biz

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• Rudolf Diesel, a young German engineer, designed and patented the first compression ignition engine in 1897.

1. Efficiency: Diesels burn less fuel to generate a given amount of horsepower.  They are 20% - 30% more efficient than a gasoline engine.
   
   
2. Engine Durability: Because a diesel engine must be designed and manufactured heavier than a gasoline engine to withstand the pressure within the engine, it can be expected to run many hours longer than its gasoline counterpart.
   
   
3. More Lugging Power: Torque rise under load is an inherent characteristic of diesel engines.
   
   
4. Less Pollution: The exhaust from a diesel engine, although more visible at times, contains lower levels of toxic elements harmful to the environment.  What you do see in diesel smoke are particulates, carbon and soot.  You can safely leave your truck running while you sleep without risk of dying from the fumes.

1. They are harder to start in cold weather.
   
   
2. They cost more to purchase up front.
   
   
3. Many local repair shops do not have the service personnel or parts for diesel engines.
   
   
4. They cost more to repair than a comparable gasoline engine.
   
   
5. They can go farther than your bladder can on a tank of fuel.

• Type of fuel it uses: Diesel fuel is a less volatile fuel than gasoline but possesses a greater number of BTU’s per gallon than gasoline.  As a result, more total horsepower is obtained from a gallon of diesel fuel than from a gallon of gasoline.
  
  
• Type of ignition: The fuel and air mixture in a gasoline engine cylinder is ignited by a spark plug.  In a diesel engine, the mixture is ignited by heat from compression.
  
  
• Fuel and air mixing: In a gasoline engine, the fuel and air mix takes place in the carburetor and intake manifold (this is changing due to the preponderance of fuel injection in modern gasoline engines).  In a diesel engine, the diesel fuel is mixed with air when the fuel is injected into the cylinder.
  
  
• The purpose of the oil: In a gasoline engine, oil is primarily a lubricant. A diesel engine actually runs off of oil pressure.
  
  
• Frequency of emissions test: Colorado Front Range emissions rules require a yearly rather than biannual emissions test.

• Don’t use ether (starting fluid) to start a diesel engine.  Ether has too high a flash point and when put up on glow plugs can blow the valve cover right off the engine. Try plugging in the block heater.
  
  
• Do visit Diesel Services of Northern Colorado  (in the Fort Collins, Colorado, USA area) when the diesel engine is hard to start.  It is a curable problem.  When a diesel engine is hard to start, it wears on the charging system, wears on the batteries, the starter, and can even damage the fuel injection pump.  It is a good idea to solve a hard start problem before it creates more trouble.

• The primary purpose of engine oil in a gasoline engine is lubrication.  Oil in a diesel engine not only lubricates, but it cools the engine and cleans the carbon away from the pistons and the liners.  It is part of the compression system. The key to diesel engine longevity is oil changes every 3000 miles on the nose.

• It's in the nature of the fuel.  The fuel filter in a diesel engine separates water out of the diesel fuel.  Excessive build-up of water in the filter can cause freezing in the fuel system during cold weather.  Water in the fuel filter can also cause hard starting, poor running, or die-in-flight.  It is recommended that the fuel filter be changed every 6,000 miles (every other oil change).  In the winter when the temperatures are low, the fuel filter should be changes every oil change.  This will help prevent fuel jelling and also insures that clean fuel only is used in the injection pump.

• A valve adjustment, also known as an “overhead” should be done every 60,000 miles to assure maximum performance on certain engines.  And don't forget to service the gear boxes regularly.

• Don’t even try to so much as start the engine!  Call Diesel Services of Northern Colorado or a tow truck and get the tank drained and filters changed.  It only takes a few minutes of running on gasoline to ruin the diesel engine!

What's the scoop on Diesel #1 and Diesel #2?

• Diesel fuel can get thick or "gel" in cold weather.  This condition can cause your truck not to start or even to die while driving.  Some fuel stations offer Diesel #1 during winter.  This fuel has additives that lower its cloud point, but the truth is, it can still gel.  Adding an anti-gel fuel additive directly to your tank in cold weather is the only way to be sure your fuel will not gel.  It's a good preventative measure.  We recommend "LDL" (Longer Diesel Life) additive.  It cleans the injectors while conditioning the fuel.

Why should diesel truck owners avoid quick lube joints?

• Quick lube joints usually serve filters that are not at all appropriate for diesel engines, particularly the oil and fuel filters.  Some of what they sell will void the warranty on your new truck.  In addition to the products, their inspections and service are not adequate to a service vehicle.  Proper inspection of brakes, gear boxes, and fuel systems can save money down the road, and keeping grease on all moving parts really matters.  It pays to have regular services done by trained, experienced Diesel Technicians of Diesel Services of Northern Colorado.

CALL / E-MAIL US IF WE CAN HELP YOU - (970) 221-9280 / info@dsnc.biz!