Do You Have Any of These Issues? A Diesel Compression Test Might Help You Find a Solution

Are you experiencing any of these problems with your diesel?

--Starting problems unrelated to weather or outdoor temperature
--Poor fuel economy or increased oil consumption

--Blue smoke
--Unexplainable loss of power
--Excessive crank case pressure

On March 16, Fleet Owner published an excellent article by Chad Christiansen about compression tests, when to get them and what they can tell you. In the same way that a battery of tests at the clinic can help you avoid more serious health issues later, so can a compression test identify engine issues before they become more serious.

Christiansen opens with this: 

"Compression in a diesel engine is essential for effective and efficient performance. And when compression is lacking, damage can result. That is why it’s imperative to know whether your engine’s compression is correct."

Compression tests aren't a necessary part of routine maintenance, he writes. They can be valuable if you're having issues like the ones cited at the beginning of this article.

As most diesel owners know, diesel engines operate on a different principle from gas-powered engines. There is no spark plug in a diesel. Diesel engines work by compressing only the air. This increases the air temperature inside the cylinder to such a high degree that atomized diesel fuel injected into the combustion chamber ignites spontaneously. 

When you bring your truck to a mechanic to run compression tests, he or she will place a gauge in each of the cylinders to read how much compression is being produced when the engine turns over. If the pressure is too low, or too high, or if there is too much deviation between the readouts from all the cylinders, there is probably internal damage of some kind.

You can read the full story here.

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Last summer CarPart.com published a good article on the signs and causes of low engine compression. Though written for car owners, the article by Sam O. is relevant for diesel owners as well, identifying the various kinds of damage that may be lurking inside your engine. They include:

Holes blown in the piston head
Leaky valves
Worn timing belt
Head gasket failure
Bad piston rings
Camshaft issues

Follow this link to read the CarPart.com  article in its entirety.

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Related Link

Here's a video on How to Use a Diesel Compression Tester.

Continued Investment and Innovation Helps Advance Diesel Engine Technology

This past week the Diesel Technology Forum submitted comments to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee about ways in which technologies are being developed to decrease emissions and the progress being made. The following information was gleaned from a press release pertaining to these hearings.

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The presenters began by outlining some of the achievements of past investments in research regarding diesel efficiency and emissions. These investments have not only improved air quality and lowered greenhouse gases, they have also created jobs. 

Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum began his remarks by giving a nod to Rudolph Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine, whose birthday was just a few days later. He would have been 163. Many are unaware of the significant role diesel engines play in the global economy, chiefly due to innovation, investment and continuous improvement.

“Today diesel engines are delivering substantial benefits to society in the form of efficient and clean power," said Schaeffer. "Thanks to sustained research and investment from leading manufacturers, suppliers and fuel producers, advanced diesel engines have undergone a fundamental transformation in environmental performance while boosting energy efficiency." 

Many critics of big government are unaware of the vast scope of the various branches of government and their functions. One example of this is the DoE's SuperTruck Program. The SuperTruck Program is a partnership between manufacturers and government that has produced new understandings about combustion and emissions reduction. "The SuperTruck program has translated fundamental research into new commercial technology on the road today that enables trucks to use less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases and other emissions," Schaeffer said. 

Research enables us to prepare for a cleaner, sustainable future. It takes investment to learn how to couple hybrid-electric technology with battery storage systems or to find the boundaries of thermal efficiency. We're still scratching the surface of our understanding regarding the full possibilities of renewable biodiesel fuels. We don't really know how much we still don't know.

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These kinds of hearings are significant because the legislators who make decisions regarding Federal spending need to understand what is possible and not possible in the short-, intermediate- and long-term futures. Schaeffer pointed out that although zero-emissions solutions are the objective, few are available today. This is why analysts predict that diesel engines will "continue to dominate the trucking sector well beyond the 2030 timeframe." 

Other key highlights that were made during the hearings included the following.

Diesel is an Economic Driver: According to research commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum, industries that produce diesel technology and use these technologies generate $275 billion in economic activity.

Diesel is a U.S. Manufacturing and Skilled Workforce Success Story: Nearly a million diesel engines were produced in 2019. It takes a highly skilled workforce to produce these engines and an ever larger force to keep them runing.

New Technology Diesel Engines Deliver Clean Air Benefits Today: New technology diesel engines have eliminated more than 26 million tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) already since 2010. New diesel trucks are so clean that it would take more than 60 new-generation diesel trucks to equal the emissions from one truck sold in 1988.

New Technology Efficient Diesel Engines Are Delivering Major Greenhouse Gas (CO2) Reductions Today: More efficient diesel trucks now on the road since 2010 have already saved 12 billion gallons of fuel and eliminated 126 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 2011 and 2018. This is equivalent to taking 26 million cars off the road for a year.

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READ THE FULL STORY HERE:

Continued Investment, Innovation in Advanced Technology Diesel Engines Sustains Clean Air and Climate Progress

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/continued-investment-innovation-advanced-technology-165900489.html

Champion Brands Now Offers API FA-4 10W30 Diesel Engine Oil to Fleets and Private Label Customers

Here's another announcement from Champion Brands. This year has already seen numerous announcements, new products and special offers. I will list several at the end of this post. The company is celebrating its 65th Anniversary.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Champion Brands Now Offers API FA-4 10W30 Diesel Engine Oil to Fleets and Private Label Customers 

 

Champion Brands, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years, announced today the offering of API FA-4 Diesel Engine Oils to fleets and private label customers for some of the newer engines currently in the market from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Navistar, etc.  

Now available to fleets are 275-Gallon Totes of Ultra-Fleet API FA-4 10W30 Diesel Engine Oil -Part #4162. When OEMs recommend this new oil specification, it can make a real difference to a fleet’s bottom line by improving the engine’s fuel efficiency. Fleets should inquire about pricing to sales@championbrands.com .

 

Private label customers can order their size preference from packaged quarts, gallons, 2.5 gallons, 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, or 275-gallon totes. Champion will soon be offering a second viscosity of Ultra-Fleet API FA-4 5W30 Diesel Engine Oil. In time, more and more OEMs will be requiring this types of diesel engine oil. Private label inquiries should be made to marketing@championbrands.com . More information on private label available here: https://www.championbrands.com/private-label/

 

API Service Category FA-4 describes certain XW-30 diesel engine oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards.

These oils are formulated for use in on-highway applications with diesel fuel sulfur content up to 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight). Refer to individual engine manufacturer recommendations regarding compatibility with API FA-4 diesel engine oils. These oils are blended to a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity range of 2.9cP–3.2cP to assist in reducing GHG emissions.

 

These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission control system durability where particulate filters and other advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API FA-4 diesel engine oils are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity increase.

 

API FA-4 diesel engine oils are not interchangeable or backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 oils.  API FA-4 diesel engine oils are not recommended for use with fuels having greater than 15 ppm sulfur. For fuels with sulfur content greater than 15 ppm, refer to engine manufacturer recommendations. 
https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

 

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the automotive, racing, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, commercial, and specialty markets. For more information about Champion Ultra-Fleet API FA-4 10W30 Diesel Engine Oil contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to www.championbrands.com

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2021 Champion New Products and Announcements

Champion Brands Celebrates 65 Years in the Lubricant Business

Champion Oil's Winter-Blend Diesel Flo Fuel Additive Gets an Upgrade

Highlighting A New All-Season Air Brake Anti-Freeze from Champion Brands

Champion’s Classic & Muscle 15W-50 Motor Oil for Vintage Trucks

Blue Flame Contingency Program for Drag Racers: How to Get Your Piece of the Action

Champion Oil Seeking Diesel Vehicle Builds for SEMA 2021

Special Offer For New Champion Diesel Oil Distributors

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up

Champion Oil Introduces a Professional Grade 80% Ether Starting Fluid

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Supports OOIDA Members

ATTN: Diesel Racers. Click on the Orange Button (top right) for contingency program details.

Basic Fundamentals for Adding Life to Your Diesel Engine

Last week The Intelligent Driver published an article on how to increase the lifespan of your diesel engine. Zeid Nasser's story was titled Innovative Ways You Maintain Cars With Diesel Engines Better. 

It's well known that diesel engines are famous for their longevity, but to to get the most out of your workhorse you also need to feed it with TLC. Or as the saying goes: the more you give, the more you get. 

Here are Nasser's seven tips for extending the life of your diesel.

Use the right fuel

Diesel fuel is a petroleum product like gasoline, but it is refined differently. Diesel applications vary, and so do diesel fuels. What you put in a car is not what is recommended for off-road. The key, then, is to use what your manufacturer recommends. In either event, avoid low quality fuels.

Keep your fuel injectors clean

Injectors on a diesel are its most complex component. Unlike port injectors on gasoline engines, diesel injectors spray fuel directly into the cylinders. Injectors must be able to withstand intense heat while delivering the fuel in a fine mist. This is why injectors need to be kept clean and free of deposits. Fouled injectors will result in poor performance and, according to Nasser, eventual failure.  

Allow the engine to cool down

Longer service life for most vehicles corresponds to how we drive. Diesel vehicles should be allowed to cool down before attempting to restart. After a hard day of towing, it is recommended that you not shut off the vehicle immediately upon arrival at your destination. Rather, you want to idle the engine, give it a little rest time so it can cool down. 

For a deeper explanation as to why this is recommended, check out this excellent breakdown: To Idle Your Diesel or Not, That Is The Question!

Keep your filters clean

The author states that keeping your fuel filters clean is an imperative for longer life expectancy. We think this advice should be carried over to all your vehicles filters. They serve important functions and should not be neglected.

Change fluids on schedule

It's one of the first things new drivers learn when they get their license. Check your fluid levels on a regular basis. By paying attention to fluid levels one can often catch a signal of other problems that may be taking place and fix it before it. worsens.  

Winter requires extra care

The harsh conditions of winter can have consequences for the unprepared. Moisture, snow and low temps can be quite unkind to your engines. Check out this article on More Maintenance Tips for Your Diesel Equipment.  

Routine maintenance with a reliable mechanic

The author's final recommendation is a familiar one. Someone once said that whenever you move to a new location, one of the first things you should do is find a competent mechanic whom you can trust. "Diesel engine maintenance is a vital component of keeping your truck or car running properly." It is wrong to assume diesel engines require less maintenance, Nasser writes. 

In short, not only will a good maintenance regimen help your vehicle last longer, it will also save you time and money.

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To read the full story, visit:
https://www.theintelligentdriver.com/2021/03/16/innovative-ways-you-maintain-cars-with-diesel-engines-better/

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Supports OOIDA Members

The value of professional associations cannot be overstated. They're be useful for learning, as crisis counsellors, career resources and more. Yesterday we wrote about the legislative work and legal advocacy that SEMA performs on behalf of the automotive aftermarket.  There are racing associations and manufacturing associations, associations that establish standards and there are legal associations. And then there's the OOIDA.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) performs an invaluable service for independent truckers. This association of professional truckers provides professional representation, education, benefits and savings for small businesses and pro truckers. The OOIDA has been fighting to defend the rights of small business truckers since 1973.    

Truckers are the unheralded heroes behind the scenes who keep our economy going. They transport food and goods to our communities and vaccines to our hospitals. Their services are essential.

For this reason Champion Oil, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over six decades, has announced a special promotion with Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil for members of the OOIDA.

 

Photo: Louis Velasquez

No other organization works harder to aggressively represent your views on regulatory and legislative issues to lawmakers in Washington, DC. OOIDA has more than 150,000 members who are working together in the trucking industry.
https://www.ooida.com/

 

In recognition of OOIDA members, Champion is offering a free Champion hat, t-shirt, limited-edition oil rag, and decals to OOIDA members who send a copy of their 2021 OOIDA membership card and a 2021 receipt for 5 gallons or more of Champion’s Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil to marketing@championbrands.com.

 

“API CK-4 Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids,” stated Karl Dedolph of Champion Oil.

 

“In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.”   

“These robust performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horsepower and torque,” added Dedolph. https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

  

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the automotive, racing, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, commercial, and specialty markets. For more information about Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to www.championbrands.com

 

SEMA Steps Up To Defend Diesel Enthusiasts

First, a quick nod to inventor and mechanical engineer Rudolph Diesel, who was born on this day in 1858. He would undoubtedly be astounded at what the auto industry has achieved using the engine concept that he created.

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On Monday The Drive published an informative article about the advocacy role SEMA is playing on behalf of diesel tuners and performance businesses as they battle the EPA. The reason this article by James Gilboy is important is because most small businesses lack the resources to fight a legal battle against the unlimited resources of the government. 

The article begins as a news account regarding Arizona diesel truck tuner Gear Box Z (GBZ), which has been in the crosshairs for what the EPA considers an "emissions defeat devices." The reason SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Assn.) got involved is because the definition of what is unacceptable to the agency has been expanding in recent years, even though no new laws were created. Things which were fine before are being fined now. 

Case in point: Freedom Diesel Performance of Bradenton, Florida, was put out of business by a seven million dollar fine, and others are being needled as well.

The New York Times story in January served notice that the EPA meant business in its efforts to crack down on "emissions defeat devices" but SEMA points to changes that took place 5 years ago with regard to the interpretation of aspects of the Clean Air Act that were once applied more narrowly. Until then dedicated off-roaders and racers were exempt. 

SEMA is not fighting the EPA in order to make polluting legal. Rather, they are attempting to be pro-active regarding the continued infringement of rights for enthusiasts and give greater clarity to the law. Gilboy writes:

GBZ was attributed in the EPA's Jan. 3, 2020 filing with Arizona's U.S. District Court as a source of "EGR Delete Hardware," "Exhaust Replacement Pipes," "DPF Emulators," and "Defeat Tune Products" from Jan. 1, 2015, to April 24, 2017. The first two products on that list remain available on GBZ's site at the time of publishing. In the company's listing for said "Exhaust Replacement Pipes," GBZ notes that they are intended for race vehicles.

In December 2019 SEMA approached Congress to introduce legislation titled Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. This act sought to bring greater clarity to what is and is not acceptable. After passing through a House Committee the legislation has not been forwarded to the floor of Congress.

Several years ago there were efforts in California to outlaw the street rod culture because they were built in the years before contemporary emissions mandates were in effect. SEMA conducted a study that demonstrated how one maritime transport craft idling in a California port for one day produces more emissions than all the street rods in California would produce in a whole year. 

This advocacy role is invaluable for the industry and its enthusiast constituents because who else has the time and money to conduct these kinds of studies and gather this information. SEMA is thus an important ally for small businesses in the automotive aftermarket as well as for the enthusiast consumers who rely on them.

We encourage you to read the full story here at The Drive.
Here's Why SEMA Is Joining a Diesel Tuner's Fight Against the EPA

https://www.thedrive.com/news/39698/heres-why-sema-is-joining-a-diesel-tuners-fight-against-the-epa

Ford F-250 Super Duty® Diesel Gets More Accolades

For truck owners, this has certainly been an exciting time as regards what the Big 3 automakers have been doing. True, the past year has been dispiriting with the absence of events. Fortunately, the engineers and designers who manufacture the vehicles that define us have not been sitting on their hands doing nothing. 

Today I wanted to return to the F-250 Super Duty Diesel that we wrote about at the beginning of February. The trigger was a web page listing Ford slogans through the years. Many quite familiar. Three of my favorites have been Ford Has A Better Idea, Built Ford Tough, and Quality Is Job One. Built Ford Proud was introduced in 2018, but I like "Tough" better. Last year's Bronco dropped the word Ford and simply went with Built Wild. That's a pretty wild slogan. It sounds fun and seems to capture the spirit of the Bronco name.

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The Ford F-250 Super Duty Diesel has certainly generated its share of buzz and for good reason. It seems to be model of all these slogans rolled into one. On Monday this week Mike Geylin of The Brake Report shared the following collection of observations in a story titled Numbers Tell the Ford F-250 Super Duty Diesel Story. 

Geylin's approach to this story is understandable. He liked numbers very much, so he starts there. 475 horsepower. 1050 pounds-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine is not ashamed to flex its muscles. Its towing and load capabilities are nothing to scoff at. But what impressed him most was its fuel economy, 20.1 mpg. A nice set of numbers all around for a 7009-pound truck.

The author makes a quick comment that there's a little extra cost for that benefit, then veers into all the additional features of the truck, from its 10-speed transmission to the off-road suspension package, 35-inch Goodyear max traction tires on 18-inch wheel. This setup gives him plenty of clearance underneath and the ability to chug three near three feet of water if need be.

The luxuries continue inside the cab. Seats that can be electronically adjusted for your contour, offering lumbar support, massage functionality and heat. In fact, there are so many interior features that Geylin doesn't even mention them all. It begs the question, What is a luxury and what is a necessity. However you answer that, the impact is impressive.

By the end he does spell out the price tag that accompanies all this wonder. You're looking at mid-60s to mid-80s depending on how many whistles and bells you require. You'll find all the details here at The Brake Report.
https://thebrakereport.com/numbers-tell-the-ford-f-250-super-duty-diesel-story/

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Edmunds Review on the 2021

By way of contrast, you don't have to go whole hog to own a Super Duty Diesel. The 2021 F-250 fully capable of satisfying your performance ambitions. Reese Counts writes:

No other class of vehicle on sale today has quite the breadth of features, body styles and engines as pickup trucks. That's especially true of full-size heavy-duty trucks such as the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Whether you're looking to haul a trailer to a job site or drive a luxed-out truck with all the features, there's an F-250 for you. Ford even offers the Super Duty Tremor package that increases this truck's capabilities off-road.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty is available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. Of the six, Reese Counts suggests you look at the XLT. To learn more, all the details can be found here:
https://www.edmunds.com/ford/f-250-super-duty/

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At one time Ford called itself Leader of the Pack. Based on what we're seeing here, it's apparent they want to maintain that title. As we all know, the competition never sleeps.

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Related Links

According to Car and Driver, This F-250 Is the Quickest Diesel Pickup They've Ever Tested

Explore the 2021 Ford Super-Duty®