Diesel mechanics, or diesel technicians, service and repair diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. This career is ideal for individuals who like to work with their hands, enjoy a fast-paced environment, and have strong troubleshooting skills.
Routine maintenance can help extend the lifespan of diesel trucks and minimize unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. Performing these advanced maintenance procedures can also improve fuel efficiency and power. Visit https://www.dieselprokansascity.com to learn more.
The cooling system is crucial for preserving the ideal working temperature of your diesel engine. During operation, your engine experiences a massive amount of stress and generates a huge volume of heat. The cooling system is specifically engineered to disperse this heat, protecting the engine from extreme temperatures and guaranteeing effective functioning. The cooling system includes a radiator, water pump, coolant, and fans that cooperate to circulate the coolant, absorb and transfer heat, and regulate the temperature.
Overheating is one of the most common cooling system issues that diesel owners encounter. It usually indicates that there is a problem with the thermostat, blocked radiators, low coolant levels, or other factors. Regular inspections and maintenance of your cooling system can help prevent overheating and other problems that may arise from excessive heating.
Coolant in your diesel engine is designed to cool and lubricate the engine block and cylinder head, limit corrosion, protect against freezing, and disperse the heat generated during combustion. A traditional antifreeze is a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol (EG) and water, although there are also propylene-glycol-based coolants available.
When coolant flows through the engine, it picks up and absorbs heat before transferring it to the radiator to be cooled by the fan. During this process, some of the heat is emitted into the atmosphere through the exhaust. The exhaust system is comprised of a catalytic converter, diesel particulate filter (DPF), and muffler that work together to reduce harmful emissions and noise while maintaining optimal operating conditions.
A coolant leak is one of the most common indicators that your diesel cooling system needs repair or an upgrade. Leaking coolant can significantly impact the efficiency of your engine, leading to overheating and other related problems.
Coolant is susceptible to corrosion, so it’s vital to use quality diesel fuel and routinely change the oil. High-quality diesel fuel has less water and impurities, which improves combustion efficiency, fuel economy, and power output. It also prevents carbon buildup and helps the engine last longer.
Fuel System
The fuel system of a diesel engine is critical to its performance and operation. It must be free of water and contaminants in order to deliver fuel efficiently and reliably. The system is comprised of multiple components including the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel injectors and the diesel engine itself. The high-pressure fuel system is a key part of the diesel vehicle’s powertrain, and should be serviced regularly to maintain its function.
The low-pressure side of the fuel system is comprised of the tank, fuel pump and one or more fuel filters. The fuel filter is essential in the low-pressure fuel system to remove impurities from the fuel. It is also critical to make sure that the fuel injectors are functioning properly. Symptoms of injector malfunction include poor idle, rough running and increased fuel consumption.
Fuel tanks can be made of aluminum or steel and are designed to withstand the corrosive effects of diesel fuel. They can have a variety of ports, fittings and connections, depending on the application. The tank must have a vent, so that air can escape when filling and emptying the fuel. Fuel tanks may also have a drain on the bottom for removing excess sediment that can build up over time. Fuel systems should have a fuel isolating valve to shut off the fuel supply in the event of an emergency.
A fuel transfer pump, which is typically electric, takes the diesel fuel from the tank and pumps it into the fuel injection pump. The fuel then goes through the injectors and is burned in the cylinders. Excess fuel is sent through the exhaust system to the exhaust catalytic converter where it is converted to nitrogen and water by chemical reaction. The exhaust gasses are then vented into the atmosphere through the tail pipe.
A common rail diesel (CRD) fuel system is a series of electronic sensors and actuators that control the fuel flow. CRD systems are designed to reduce harmful emissions through the use of technologies such as diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction. With proper training, diagnostics and repair of the fuel system for a CRD diesel vehicle is not very difficult.
Cylinder Block
The cylinder block is the largest and heaviest part of the engine. It houses the cylinders in which combustion takes place, coolant passages to prevent overheating and oil galleries to keep components lubricated. It also serves as the base on which many other parts are bolted.
Most modern blocks are made of cast iron, which is relatively strong and can withstand high compression loads. They are also designed to prevent warping under high temperatures and pressures. In addition, the deck surface on top of the engine block where the cylinder head mounts is machined for precise alignment and dimensional tolerances.
There are a variety of different designs for engine blocks. Some have the cylinders arranged in one row, which is common in smaller cars. Others have the cylinders in a V-shaped configuration, which allows them to be more compact and increase power. Yet another design, known as a flat block, is common in sports car engines. This design lowers the center of gravity, improving stability and performance.
During the manufacturing process, these engine blocks are filled with a sand mixture to form the spaces inside. As the sand sets up, the gaps are plugged with metal core plugs – sometimes called freeze plugs or expansion plugs – to prevent leakage of coolant. Over time, the plugs can corrode and need to be removed and replaced.
The cylinder head seals the top of the cylinders and contains the valves and other components that control the intake and exhaust of air and fuel. The cylinder head is mounted on the cylinder block and together they provide the structural foundation for the entire engine.
A faulty or damaged cylinder head can cause overheating which in turn causes damage to the cylinder block. A cracked cylinder block is a huge problem, as it will need to be replaced in order to rebuild the entire engine. To help prevent this from happening, it is important to keep up with routine maintenance and inspections. Performing scheduled oil changes and checking coolant levels regularly can help the engine run efficiently, and reduce wear on the cylinder block and other engine components.
Bearings
Engine bearings support the load and transmission movement between the crankshaft and the base. If they are damaged or worn out, the whole movement is interrupted and the damage may spread to other parts of the engine, such as the body and crankshaft. The most common cause of failure is contamination, including oil in the bearing and excessive wear. Some manufacturers produce a special coating for the engine bearings that reduces friction and improves durability. The coating is usually made of PTFE (Teflon) polymer resin and contains molybdenum disulfide for added lubricity, graphite for improved strength and microscopic iron particles for increased fatigue resistance.
Regular engine bearings are prefinished precision-made components lined with a steel-based material capable of handling the loads generated by the crankshaft rotation and the combustion cycles. The lining is usually bonded to the bearing base by a thin layer of aluminum or copper-based material. This enables the bearings to withstand peak loads up to 20,000 psi.
The normal regime of lubrication is achieved through the hydrodynamic force generated by the shaft rotation and the oil film between the bearing surface and the crankshaft surface. This force, however, is stable only within a certain range of speed. If the speed decreases, the hydrodynamic force is insufficient to counteract the load applied to the bearings and metal-to-metal contact results.
In addition, oil in the bearing is contaminated by impurities, the bearing gap is loose, or the bearing bolt torque is too small. These factors can cause the lubricant to break down and dry friction occurs. Another problem is cold temperatures, which can affect the lubrication by slowing the flow of oil to the bearing and blocking it.
