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Will a diesel start without glow plugs? Can you explain how your engine will work without them? Diesel glow plugs work to heat up the air/fuel mixture before it reaches your combustion chamber, making them especially handy when trying to start a cold engine in frigid temperatures. But are they always necessary? Read on to see what our diesel aficionados had to say about that: Tom Monson Tom Monson, Owner of Monson Lawn & Landscaping. Crank the Engine a Few Times to Build Up Compression Yes, a diesel engine can start without glow plugs. The engine will still need to be cranked ...

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider an Exhaust Brake If you have ever hauled a large load down a mountain, you know what kind of nightmare scenario this can present for your brakes. Trying to slow down for a sharp curve with thousands of pounds riding your tail isn't exactly fun for you, either. And while downshifting can help ease the wear on your brakes (and your nerves), your diesel would do well with a supplemental braking system to halt your momentum on steep grades. Enter the exhaust brake. The exhaust brake is a butterfly valve that ...

Diesel Transmission Fluid 101 Much like a regular gas engine, diesels use a transmission system to transfer the power generated by the engine to rotate the vehicle's wheels and move it forward. Transmissions, often referred to as 'trannies,' generally vary between manual and automatic operation. The former requires the driver to manipulate a clutch system to switch the vehicle into a different gear, and the latter automatically performs all of the gear functions. Both systems have pros and cons, depending on y...

Low Fuel Pressure Problems and How to Prevent Them Nearly every diesel engine on the road today uses fuel injection technology of some sort. That means the fuel injected into your combustion chamber must first undergo a process of pressurization before it's delivered to your injectors. Unfortunately, a lot can go wrong along the way to cause you to lose fuel pressure. How Your Fuel System Works First things first, though. Let's talk about how your fuel injection system operates. Since many high-performance diesels use a common rail de...

Why Balancing Will Save Your Turbocharger One could argue that every diesel engine should have a turbocharger. They increase engine performance, boost fuel efficiency, and deliver more horsepower and towing capacity. In addition, turbochargers give your vehicle the functional power and capacity of a much larger engine without the actual size, allowing for reduced emissions. Size Doesn’t Matter An engine’s power, or the strength of its combustion, depends on how much fuel and oxygen it can burn. When you have a smaller engine, the amo...

Sugar and pumpkin spice and all things nice.. When life gives you pumpkins, make pies! Happy Halloween! :D Sugar and pumpkin spice and all things nice.. When life gives you pumpkins, make pies! Happy Halloween to all! :))* SOME EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS HALLOWEEN CAKE RECIPE PRESENTED BELOW :)) Pumpkin Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce (ohh yes!!) Ingredients for the cake: 3 ¼ Cups – All Purpose Flour (plus more as needed) 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 ½ ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon fine salt 2 ¾ cups g...

Smoke Signals: What the Smoke is Saying About Your Car Exhaust from your diesel engine should be a light or thin white. If it is anything else, that may signify you have a problem going on somewhere. Luckily, the color of the smoke can be a clue in helping you figure out what is going wrong. Here is a quick guide to understanding what the smoke from your diesel engine is trying to tell you. White Smoke As mentioned, a thin, white smoke exiting your vehicle when you start the engine (especially on a cold day) may not be cause for concern. It is li...

Are Turbos Green Technology? And Other Burning Questions Diesel engines might not be your first thought when you think of green vehicles. But they are more green than you may think. Turbochargers are known for increasing and enhancing speed, but that is not where the benefits stop. Diesel engines that are equipped with a turbocharger are able to utilize fuel more efficiently, which essentially cuts down the emissions the engine produces. Here are some common questions and answers about turbocharging and how it can help your vehicle burn fuel as eff...

A Quick Guide to Degrading Engine Power If you take your diesel-powered vehicle up a hill regularly and notice one day it doesn't seem to handle it as well as usual, you might rightfully be concerned. A number of factors could contribute to the degrading of your engine's power. Here's a quick guide to help you troubleshoot the reason your engine isn't functioning at its best. 1. Check Engine Light. The first place to check is your check engine light. If the light is illuminated, run some diagnostic software to dete...

CHRA Q & A: All About Balance If you have questions about a turbocharger CHRA, why it is balanced, and what the balancing process is like, you have come to the right spot. Find out all you need to know about the importance of CHRA balancing here. Q: What is the CHRA? A: A Center Housing Rotating Assembly, also known as a CHRA or a core assembly or turbo CHRA, is a major component of a turbocharger. It refers to the shaft wheel assembly installed in the center housing but without the compressor and turbine housings. It dir...

12 Ways to Reduce Noise from Your Diesel Generator It's no secret that diesel generators can generate not only power but also a lot of noise. Whatever your need for a generator is, it's safe to say that it can become annoying rather quickly. We have gathered some tips to reduce noise from your diesel generator. You can find and implement one or more to fit your needs. 1. Buy the Right Generator. The first way to reduce noise from a generator starts before you even buy one. The larger the generator, the more noise it is going to produc...

10 Tricks to be Fuel Efficient with Your Diesel With gas prices creeping upwards every day, it's natural to want to get the biggest bang for your buck in your diesel-powered vehicle. Here are a few tips to help you achieve maximum fuel efficiency while driving. 1. Use Cruise Control. Letting your vehicle maintain one speed instead of allowing it to fluctuate between higher and lower speeds actually makes your vehicle more efficient. If you are constantly recalibrating your speeds and driving inconsistently, you are wasting gas. The onl...

Understanding the Electrical System of Diesel Engines Diesel engines are complex machines. These machines work through a combination of pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical systems. Although diesel engines get their power from fuel, they still have electrical systems that power the electronics and accessories of the vehicle. The battery, which is part of the electrical system, is also responsible for starting the engine. Differences Between Natural Gas and Diesel Fuel Powered Electrical Systems Gasoline vehicles and diesel-powered vehicles have...

Can I Trust a Refurbished Fuel Injector? Your diesel engine hasn't been up to par lately. You suspect you need a new diesel engine fuel injector. Before you buy a replacement, let's look at the signs your engine is giving you that the fuel injector needs to be replaced. Signs of a Faulty Fuel Injector Fuel Leak. A leak could be caused by a worn or improperly maintained fuel injector. You may notice a sharp and pungent smell of fuel when you are driving, which would indicate a leak. Loud Idling Noise. Instead of the softer...

How to Find a Clogged Fuel Injector Diesel fuel injection is a key part of any diesel engine system. Diesel fuel injection parts are the parts that ensure the engine receives the correct amount of fuel at the correct time by delivering the fuel to the cylinders as a fine mist (so it is easier to burn). Keeping fuel injectors unclogged is critical to a functioning fuel-injected engine. If a fuel injector is clogged, it can't inject fuel, and you face a number of problems. These problems can manifest themselves in different w...

Comparing and Contrasting Four-Stroke and Two-Stroke Engines Both four-stroke engines and two-stroke engines utilize the combustion of fuel to harness the energy necessary to run their respective engines. If they are accomplishing the same goal through the same process, how different can they be? Let's take a deeper look into how four-stroke and two-stroke engines function. Four-Stroke Engines Inside a four-stroke engine, there is a crankshaft. Piston rods connect the pistons to the crankshaft, causing the pistons to move up and down with each turn...