Category: Blog – All HHP Blog Articles

When it comes to gaskets, the material can make all the difference. Most current gaskets are made of a combination of metal and a composite material like graphite or asbestos, although asbestos has been losing popularity due to safety concerns (HHP only sells asbestos-free gaskets!). In recent years, though, a newer type of gasket has been developed to meet the increased demands modern engines place on them. These multi-layer steel (MLS) gaskets, while not standard on all engine models yet, have been growing in popularity, due in part to their better handling of increased temperatures. But they come with their own set of issues that aren’t shared by graphite gaskets.

We’ve all said it before: I’m just too busy! And there’s no doubt that you are busy, but are you the right kind of busy?

So you notice your oil pressure is low. Your automatic response might be to have your oil pump looked at, or to replace it altogether. A lot of times this might solve your problem, but what happens if you get a new pump and your pressure is still low?

If you’re like most repair shop owners, you’ve got your eye on your bottom line, and you always want it to be a little higher.

If you run a diesel repair shop, your website should do more than prove your business exists.

It should answer the questions your front counter gets every day. It should help fleets and owner-operators figure out whether you work on their kind of equipment. It should explain what services you actually offer, where you’re located, how to contact you, and what makes your shop worth calling instead of the one down the road.

In other words, a good shop website is not an online brochure.

It is a service advisor that works after hours.

That matters because the way people find repair shops has changed. When a truck starts acting up, a fleet manager needs aftertreatment work, or an owner-operator is looking for a shop near a route, they are not opening the phone book. They are searching online, usually on their phone, and they are making decisions quickly based on what they find. Shops with complete, trustworthy, easy-to-use websites are far more likely to win those calls. Shops with outdated, thin, or confusing websites often lose them before the phone ever rings.

So you’ve decided to focus on the way your diesel repair shop handles its marketing. Maybe you’ve even considered a few channels for how best to market your shop. But have you thought about who you’re going to direct your marketing efforts at?

Are you having trouble getting the right parts? Are your orders getting mixed up? Markups not making you enough?

Your turbocharger spins at incredibly high speeds in your engine, making it all the more susceptible to damage and failure than many other components. It needs a thin layer of oil constantly to prevent premature wear and keep it spinning properly. It can spell major trouble for your diesel engine turbo if proper oil levels aren’t maintained, or if contaminants find their way into your oil supply. If you’re experiencing turbo problems, you might notice a drop in engine power, a high pitched noise coming from the engine, or black smoke coming from your exhaust. If you noticed any of these symptoms, check out your turbo for and signs of damage or wear.

Head bolts might seem like a minor or unimportant part, but without them, combustion wouldn’t be possible and your engine wouldn’t work.

As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, cylinder head damage is a major issue that can cause problems throughout your engine. It’s not just cracks that you have to worry about.

A damaged cylinder head can be devastating to your engine—and your wallet. And sometimes it’s not just your cylinder head that has an issue. It can be an indication of larger engine problems.