9 Worst Things You Can Do to a Diesel Engine

[Too many Kubotas]

The differences between on road and off road are - red dye and fuel Taxes. But, depending on the area one or the other may have sat longer.

I couldn't care less how long the fuel has been sitting.

Most of mine is about three years old by now, and one tank closer to 10. Treated and stored correctly it doesn't seem to matter one bit how old the fuel is.

 

[dodge man]

"In diesel engines, where internal pressures and operating temperatures are often higher than in gas engines.."

That statement is wrong. Diesel burns much colder than gas and is less violent than gas, that's why diesel engines last much longer as diesel does much less wear and tear on the engine parts compared to gas

I’m not sure I agree with you. Diesels run high compression and in some cases are working at very high throttle settings for long periods of time. Diesels are built for it though.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Diesels generally are in to 40:1 - 50:1 compression ratio, and well over 400 psi in a compression check ... IIRC ...

There is a reason there is a hefty upcharge for a diesel engine in a pickup truck over the standard gasser ... They cost more to make!

 

[Minsid]

Regarding shutting off with a hot turbo. I see why not to do so but how long should one wait. There is no gage to check that it has cooled. Is this 30 seconds at idle? 5 min?

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Some trucks have a pyrometer which shows exhaust temperature, once they cool off you can shut it down.

A hot turbo is one that's been working hard, not puttering around ...

On my semi-truck I back off the fuel a bit before the off ramp, and ease on down to the stop sign/light, unless it's a steep uphill from the end of the ramp, it's not working hard to get into a truck stop, when I ease up to the fuel pump, I set the brakes and shut it off ...

If I'm pulling a long steep grade, and stop at the very top for a rest area, I leave it running for 5 minutes ...

I don't have a turbo on either of my tractors.

 

[John0829]

I had a 6.2 in a K5 Chevy Blazer and had more trouble with the starter than anything I think I replaced it four times

The 6.2 that I owned I really liked, especially the 27-28 mpg that it was giving me only problem was the transmission would go "T's" up at about 20K. Truck left the farm when the transmission gave out the third time.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

The 6.2 I use is in an M1009, my tug/trailer mover.

It gets starting fluid every time, just more in the winter, since only half of the glow plugs work. Well, several years ago they did, that might have changed.

Not worried about the TH400 giving up, and if it does I have a spare. When/if the 6.2 croaks it'll either get a "new" one from a Suburban or I'll put a 350 gasser in it.

The latter would be more humane since this "abuse vehicle" gets short tripped quite frequently.

 

[Hay Dude]

Regarding shutting off with a hot turbo. I see why not to do so but how long should one wait. There is no gage to check that it has cooled. Is this 30 seconds at idle? 5 min?

It’s a good question. I usually wait ~5 minutes if I’m coming in hot and you can hear the turbo spooled-up, but that’s just a guideline.
I usually come into the shop at road speed from a field miles away, so I tend to wait longer since I’m probably 1200 degrees at the turbo. Here I am on the road, not exactly pushing it because it’s a windy, dangerous road, but still the turbo is boosting pretty good.

Here I am pulling in tonight into my barn. I’ll just let it cool off a good 3-5 minutes.

If you are just moving around your farm, or yard at partial speed, just a few minutes should help.
Just park, rev-down to idle and find something to do for a few minutes (grease fittings, blow out radiator, clean-up, etc.) and that will help your turbo bearings and oil from coking.

 

[90cummins]

Don’t forget excessive idling &
Insufficient load to properly warm combustion chamber, oil & coolant.
90cummins

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Diesels generally are in to 40:1 - 50:1 compression ratio

Do the mfg's know that? I bet you that would be BIG news to them!!

SR