According to an article in Driving Line earlier this month, the result has been that to reach the absolute minimal emissions engine builders have had to nominally sacrifice reliability and fuel economy.
So the question this article strives to answer is this: How do you make today's diesel-powered trucks last as long as possible? The short answer is to not neglect routine maintenance, not skimp on replacement parts and knowing how your emissions control system works. The rest of the article offers the following tips.
1. Run Quality Fuel
Today's ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) isn't great, but engines manufactured since 2006 were designed to run on it. Unfortunately, diesel fuel is fairly unstable. Over a relatively short time period diesel fuel will degrade. The Driving Line article asserts that within four weeks after being refined, "diesel fuel can degrade as much as 26-percent. For this reason they recommend using "quality fuel from a highly-frequented filling station." When you think about it, it makes sense. This will prolong the life of your injectors and injection pump as well. Fuel additives will help as well.
2. Don't Neglect Filter Changes
Filters exist for a reason. It's assumed that a certain amount of contaminants will get into the fuel tank. You need to keep these from being pushed into the injectors. Fuel filters remove the debris that would give you headaches later if you need to replace injectors. Similarly, oil filters keep your lubricants clean so that the engine runs optimally as designed.
The author also mentioned the water separator. Fuel filters capture debris, but what about that other pesky contaminant: water. Diesel fuel absorbs water and can thereby become contaminated in that was. Therefore many diesels feature a water separator that extracts water from the fuel. This needs to be maintained as well.
3. Perform Regular Oil Changes
This is a Vehicle Maintenance 101 type of thing, yet people disregard it to their peril. The author notes that it's not necessarily a matter of changing the oil at "x" number of miles because there are other variables that factor in. A lot of diesel work trucks spend a high amount of time idling. The odometer does not adequately reflect how much time the engine has been running. According to this article, one hour of idling is equivalent to 25 miles of driving.
4. Replace Your Air Filter, Too, As Needed
This could have been included under the Filters category above, but it's worth underscoring here because of its relationship to the turbo. If you're only driving on highways and other paved surfaces, you simply need to check the filter periodically. Many engines are used in work trucks in gravel pits and other dusty terrains. The air filter is your "last line of defense" in protecting the turbocharger's compressor wheel. Replacing a turbo will make your wallet skinnier. Driving Line states that the number one cause of turbo failure comes from swallowing debris from a dirty air filter. Keep it clean.
5. Emissions Issues
Emission control devices and sensors can be a problem. This article states that "EGR coolers and valves, DPF's, diesel oxidation catalysts and SCR/DEF systems are problematic--along with all the sensors that go along with them." How you address this seems to be a gray area. The author shows support for using OEM parts, but then seems to suggest here that you may choose to work with your independent mechanic for an aftermarket solution. Your goal will be minimum downtime with the aim of maximum service life. Servicing these components is infrequent but essential for long-term reliable performance.
6. OEM Parts
The author suggests that the manufacturers of engines know what is best for the engines they have designed. He also notes that certain kinds of non-OEM parts can jeopardize your warranty. We certainly want to exercise care in that regard. Nevertheless, the aftermarket exists because there are smart people who have created solutions for issues missed by the manufacturers.
The article closes by citing examples of pickups that have travelled far beyond their expected service life. A 6.0L Power Stroke that had hefty numbers, a 6.6L LMM Duramax V-8 with 600K miles towing campers, a Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with 740K miles... They're out there. They're designed to go the distance, but taking good care of your baby is up to you.
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Another good idea is monitor your diesel engine’s coolant. It is one of its most important maintenance needs. Coolant should continually be monitored because it will become more acidic over time. If it’s allowed to remain acidic it can rot out other parts in the vehicle’s cooling system like the radiator. Take the time to have the coolant checked and flushed on an appropriate schedule. Acidity levels can even be tested to let you know where you stand.
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