Engineers and manufacturers design and build diesel engines to handle the most heavy-duty jobs. Therefore, your truck can experience a lot of wear and tear. Luckily, you can do a few things to protect your truck’s engine and extend its lifespan. Here are five maintenance tips for keeping your diesel engine running like new.

Keep It Clean

One of the easiest and simplest things you can do is keep your engine clean. Dirt, dust, and debris will build up over time—especially on more demanding terrain—which can potentially clog up aspects of your engine. What’s more, winter road salt can be highly corrosive to your vehicle if left alone. So, by routinely cleaning your engine, you’ll ensure the components have as long a lifespan as possible.

Change the Fuel Filters

Diesel fuel absorbs more water from condensation than other, more refined fuels. Diesel engines typically have two fuel filters to ensure no water can get in. These filters are crucial because if water gets into the fuel, your engine could weaken, stall, or clog, hurting your highly sensitive injection pump and causing the injectors to fail.

Check the Air Filter

An air filter ensures your engine receives only clean air for a clean burn, so your air filter will become dirty and clogged. The debris can choke your engine and block its air intake when left alone for too long. Luckily, replacing the air filter is cheap and simple.

Care for the Radiator

Because diesel engines run hotter than gas engines, a good maintenance tip for keeping your diesel engine running is to pay extra attention to the radiator. The radiator directs heat out of your engine and into the air. You’ll need to use specialized cleaning fluid to ensure your radiator is functioning properly and antifreeze to eliminate rust and other impurities.

Monitor the Fluids

It should be common practice to monitor the fluids within your engine, such as oil and coolant. Think of these fluids as the lifeblood of your engine. Without them, your engine will struggle and eventually break down. The oil keeps the various moving parts from grinding against each other, while coolant keeps your engine from overheating.

Now that you have these maintenance tips under your belt, you can keep your diesel engine running like new—whether it be an LB7 Duramax motor or a Ford Powerstroke. Uncertain about your engine’s needs? Don’t worry! Our friendly and effective team will help you determine which parts you need to enhance your truck’s performance. Contact us today to get started!