3 Ways Diesel Servicing Differs From Petrol Engines
Posted on: 23 January 2018
Whether you just bought a new diesel after a lifetime of petrol ownership, or are a lifelong diesel owner just trying to make sure you keep your vehicle in top condition, you may be wondering if there is anything in particular you need to do to service a diesel car or truck, compared to a petrol engine. Diesel vehicles are found in a wide range of settings, from heavy industry and agriculture to your everyday car that gets you from A to B; diesel cars are very popular on Australia's roads.
Fundamentally, the difference in how a diesel engine works compared to a petrol engine is in the way it uses fuel. Petrol engines use a spark plug to ignite fuel, while a diesel engine heats air and then injects it with diesel later on. So, if your diesel car needs a service and you need to take it to a garage that offers diesel services, here are three ways that diesel servicing differs from petrol.
You need to find a diesel specialist
Unlike petrol cars, you can't just drop a diesel off at any garage you see and know that they will be able to test and repair your car. Because the way diesel operates is so fundamentally different, mechanics will have to go through specific diesel training; some may not want to do so and will only be able to service petrol cars. The dealer you buy your car from should be able to recommend a good, reliable local garage or mechanic who can look at any problems which arise.
It's probably the fuel injector at fault
If your vehicle starts to lose power or responsiveness, in a petrol car there could be a whole host of factors that are going wrong; in a diesel car, it is almost always down to the fuel injector. As diesel cars are so reliant on the injector, they are behind quite a few of the most common problems. They are a highly technical piece of kit, but they can easily become blocked. You should also ask your mechanic for additional advice on how to avoid the most serious damage to your injector in the long term.
More expensive repairs, but less likely to happen
If something does go wrong, diesel cars are unfortunately more expensive to service than their petrol counterparts. However, the good news is that they are actually less likely to have problems, so any additional costs will balance out in the long run, and you may find that the diesel car actually works out to be cheaper to maintain.
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