Troubleshooting Common Diesel Truck Issues

You own a diesel-powered truck due to the power towing, load capability, and toughness. You love your diesel, but just like every mechanical system, it can be troublesome at times. When winter is in Alberta, your diesel could have some issues caused by the cold winter temperatures. We've listed a few of the most frequent problems that could arise in your vehicle that could cause a decrease in the performance of diesel.

Diesel Truck Having a Hard Time Starting

When temperatures drop, it is possible for a variety of issues to occur to your diesel truck's engine.

Oil. The first thing you should examine is the oil. If it's thick, you may not have the proper oil for cold temperatures. Consider changing to a cold-weather oil with a lighter weight than the 5W-40 motor oil that is synthetic.

Battery. In the event that your diesel engine doesn't seem to be turning quickly enough, in line with the specifications of your vehicle, check your battery's health and charge and all connections. If your battery isn't fully charged or you've got a poor connection, you may be having trouble getting your diesel truck started.

The glow plug. If the crank speed isn't a problem, there could be something wrong with your glow plugs system. The system is designed to assist with cold start-ups. If two or one of the glow plugs have burned out, your vehicle may not have issues until cold weather arrives. Make sure to check the glow plugs in your vehicle by taking a look at their resistance or continuity. If they're burned out, this means that they're covered in carbon or aren't receiving the voltage they require to get started, meaning your car may have trouble getting started.

Issues with Diesel Fuel

The tank's fuel could be the cause of the problems with your diesel vehicle. Here are some points to look for:

• The tank is filled with summer fuel as temperatures drop. As the colder weather arrives, the summer-grade fuel in your vehicle can begin to form wax crystals inside the separator for fuel and water, which can cause an obstruction. If this occurs, take your vehicle to a warm garage, and melt it. After it has thawed, you could either put in an engine conditioner or completely drain the tank and fill it up with winter diesel fuel. Find out the differences between winter and summer diesel fuel.

• Be aware that fuel with water (usually resulting from condensation) is also a problem. If water is introduced into the tank for fuel, it falls to the tank's bottle and may get trapped in the fuel lines, filters, or separator for water and fuel. It can then become frozen. It is necessary to melt it off and empty the tank to remove the obstruction.

• Fuel isn't getting to the engine correctly. In order for your diesel to begin and run properly, the timing of the injector must be correct. The manual of your truck will explain the timing procedure and then check your timing marks with one quick glance to see whether they're in line. The latest engines may require a diagnostic test to identify the problem.