Diesel Engines: 9 Common Myths Debunked
Are you planning to buy a new vehicle and upgrade to a truck? Are you having doubts about shifting from gas to diesel engines?
Despite the recent boom of diesel-powered vehicles, there are still many myths that hound diesel engines. Some of them concern the engines’ performance while others are about their safety.
It may not even come as a surprise if you happen to believe in some of these myths and misconceptions. Thus, you need to know the truth about diesel and diesel engines.
Continue reading below as we debunk some of the most common myths about diesel engines.
- Diesel Is the Largest Air Pollution Contributor
If there is one big myth that affects people’s perception of diesel engines, it is that diesel is the largest contributor to air pollution. In reality, diesel engines don’t cause that much pollution as many perceive.
Furthermore, diesel today compared to diesel decades ago is much cleaner. Also, the news that you hear concerning an alleged government clampdown on diesel engines is true only to a certain extent.
What the government is after are the older diesel engines. These engines are the ones that emit substantial amounts of pollution.
- Diesel Engines Don’t Yield High Performance
Another big myth that continues to hound diesel engines concerns performance. Some people have this misconception that diesel engines cannot provide high performance.
One of the most important diesel engine truths is that it offers remarkable power, especially when hauling items with significant weight. If you check the largest trucks in the world, they all use diesel engines. This is because the engines generate more torque.
The more torque they create, the more power they produce. Also, some people say that diesel engines offer poor fuel economy. On the contrary, diesel fuel has greater energy content than gasoline.
In turn, they give you more energy of gallon per fuel.
- Diesel Engines Are Dirty and Loud
Are you one of those who believe that diesel engines are dirty and loud? Better revisit that notion, as this may be the case for older direct injection diesel. Today, common-rail technology significantly reduces the noise of diesel engines.
They are not comparable to the quietness of gas engines. As for the smoke-belching concern, diesel vehicles now follow EPA protocols. They are much cleaner now than they were several years ago.
If diesel engine manufacturers don’t meet EPA standards, they cannot sell their products legally.
- You Won’t Waste Fuel If You Idle
Ever heard of the tip that you won’t waste your diesel fuel if you idle your truck? This couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Sure, it is unlikely that you’ll empty the fuel tank by keeping your truck idle. However, you will still waste fuel by leaving your vehicle that way. Studies reveal that idling your truck for about an hour translates to throwing away a gallon of fuel.
Also, you shouldn’t buy into the idea of idling your truck in the morning. This method might have worked back in the day. However, today’s technological advancements in diesel engines end the need to do so.
- Diesel Engines Require Expensive Repair and Maintenance
Another myth that we need to debunk is the notion that diesel engines will cost you a lot in maintenance and repair. The truth is, you will spend likely the same amount as you would with a gasoline engine.
Furthermore, you need to consider the longevity of diesel engines. If you keep your maintenance game in check, your truck will rarely encounter failures.
The most common maintenance jobs you will likely face after driving your truck for 300,000 miles are replacing lift pumps and changing injectors.
- Your Engine Doesn’t Start Easy During Winter
Does the thought of seeing your diesel truck not starting in winter scare you? Worry not, as newer truck models come with block heaters. This feature allows the engine to warm up and start faster, unlike older diesel engines.
Also, some trucks come with engine glow plugs. These plugs connect with the battery as the latter warms them up. In turn, they also keep the diesel fuel warm, especially during those cold winter mornings.
- It Has the Same Correction Factors as Gas Engines
One of the longstanding myths surrounding diesel engines involves the correction factors. These are the numbers that tell you how much power your truck can produce at sea level. Many people believe that diesel engines have the same correction factors as their gasoline counterparts.
What they don’t know is that most of today’s diesel engines feature turbochargers. Hence, they have lower correction factors compared to engines that are non-turbo versions. Additionally, the higher the boost the engine has, the lower the correction factors will be.
- It Doesn’t Require Water Cooling
Contrary to popular notion, diesel engines still need water cooling. The moment you forget about water cooling, you can expect your diesel engine to heat and blow up.
Furthermore, water cooling is one of the keys to the longevity of these engines. It plays a crucial role in regulating engine oil temperatures. Additionally, water cooling also takes idling down your truck out of the equation.
- The Engine Doesn’t Work Well on Long Trips
Last but not least, some people believe that you cannot rely on diesel engines for long trips. This is because of the notion that diesel engines don’t adapt well to various environments.
However, diesel can outperform gasoline engines in various conditions. Even if you’re driving to an elevated location, you can expect your truck to perform better.
Boost Your Truck’s Performance Today!
By debunking these myths about diesel engines, you can have a better appreciation for what they can offer. You will have more confidence in making the jump to diesel and pick the truck that’s right for you. In case you want to boost the performance of your diesel engines further, we have the solution for you.
We offer power stroke modules and other diesel performance products. Connect with us today and tell us what you need. Take the first step that will take your truck’s performance to the next level.