When shopping for parts for your diesel engine, you want to make sure you’re getting the right ones the first time. One thing that can help ensure you get the right fit is your engine serial number.
Continue reading How To Find Detroit Diesel Engine Serial Numbers
Do you have a Series 60 engine from Detroit? For the most part, it probably runs great for you. This electronically controlled engine has a favorable history, shared between all three versions, and despite having been out of production for years now, it remains a popular choice for many operators.
Continue reading 7 Common Detroit Diesel Series 60 Problems
If you’ve heard of Detroit Diesel, odds are you’ve heard of their Series 60 line of engines. It includes three different engines, a 11.1L, a 12.7L, and a 14L.
Continue reading What’s The Difference Between Detroit Diesel Series 60 12.7L and 14L Engines?
What are the causes of fuel injector failure? We will list out what to look for and explain why we recommend replacing your fuel injector with a Genuine Bosch Detroit Diesel Fuel Injector from HHP.
Continue reading Replacing Your Failing Diesel Fuel Injector With A Bosch Detroit Diesel Fuel Injector (Reman, Series 50/60, & Fuel Injection system)
Variable Geometry Turbochargers (VGTs) are designed to adjust airflow dynamically—but when they fail, one issue shows up more than any other:
Sticking vanes. If the vanes can’t move, the turbo can’t control boost properly.
And that leads to:
The challenge is this:
Not every VGT problem is actually a bad turbo.
Continue reading Why Diesel VGT Turbo Vanes Stick (And How to Tell If It’s the Turbo or the Actuator)
Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines are known for durability – but when they reach high mileage, failure doesn’t happen all at once.
It happens in stages.
Most rebuild decisions start with symptoms like oil consumption, blow-by, or low oil pressure—but the real question is:
What’s actually worn out inside the engine – and what needs to be replaced to fix it correctly?
This guide breaks down the technical failure points and measurements that determine whether your Series 60 rebuild lasts – or comes back.
Continue reading Detroit Diesel Series 60 Inframe Rebuild Kit: Liner Height, Bearing Wear, and What Actually Fails
Most catastrophic Detroit Diesel Series 60 failures don’t start with a bang – they start with something small.
A slight misfire. A little loss of power. Maybe some unusual noise. Then suddenly… the engine is done.
One of the most common causes?
A dropped valve seat inside the cylinder head.
If you’re running a Series 60, this is one failure you need to understand – because once it happens, you’re no longer talking about a simple repair.
Inside your cylinder head, valve seats are precision-machined inserts that allow the intake and exhaust valves to seal properly against the head.
Over time, due to:
…the press fit between the seat and the head weakens.
Eventually, the seat can loosen and fall out of position – this is what’s known as a dropped valve seat.
When a valve seat drops, it doesn’t just sit there.
It gets caught between the valve and piston. That leads to:
In many cases, a dropped valve seat turns a top-end repair into a full engine rebuild.
The problem with this failure is that it often gives subtle warnings before becoming catastrophic.
By the time the noise becomes loud or constant, damage is usually already happening.
Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines are especially vulnerable to this type of failure when overheating occurs.
When cylinder head temperatures get too high, the powdered metal intake valve seats can lose their press fit and fall out of place. Once that happens, the damage escalates quickly.
In most cases, this doesn’t just stop at the cylinder head. When a valve seat drops:
That’s why overheating-related valve seat failure often leads to more than just a head repair – it typically requires piston replacement and a deeper inspection of the rotating assembly.
Once a valve seat has moved or failed, the integrity of the entire cylinder head is compromised.
Even if you:
…you’re still dealing with a head that has already experienced material distortion and stress. That’s why these repairs often fail again.
A properly remanufactured Series 60 cylinder head addresses the root of the problem—not just the symptom.
Instead of patching a failure, you’re restoring the entire top end of the engine.
If you’re seeing early signs of valve train issues or unexplained performance loss, this is not something to ignore.
Unfortunately, a dropped valve seat doesn’t give you a second chance.
It goes from minor symptoms to major engine damage fast.
If you’re dealing with valve seat concerns or planning a repair, make sure you’re installing a cylinder head you can trust.
👉 Detroit Diesel Series 60 11.1L Cylinder Heads & Components
👉 Detroit Diesel Series 60 12.7L Cylinder Heads & Components
👉 Detroit Diesel Series 60 14L Cylinder Heads & Components
Call 844-304-7688 to speak with a diesel parts specialist
or visit highwayandheavyparts.com to find the right rebuild kit for your engine.
From diagnosis through delivery, we’re Highway and Heavy Parts.
The oil pump in your Detroit Diesel Series 60 isn’t just another component – it’s the heart of your lubrication system. When it starts to fail, the damage doesn’t stay isolated. It spreads fast.
Low oil pressure, bearing wear, and even full engine failure can all trace back to one root issue: inconsistent oil delivery.
If you’re working on a Series 60, understanding how the oil pump fails – and how to catch it early – can be the difference between a simple repair and a full rebuild.
Continue reading Detroit Diesel Series 60 Oil Pump Failure: Causes, Oil Pressure Loss, and When to Replace
The turbocharger on a Detroit Diesel Series 60 14L engine does more than add power.
It controls airflow, and airflow controls combustion.
When the turbo isn’t performing correctly, the entire engine starts to fall out of balance.
Continue reading Detroit Diesel Series 60 14L Turbocharger: Symptoms, Failure Causes, and When to Replace
On a Detroit Diesel Series 60, fuel injectors are directly tied to how the engine builds power.
Unlike older mechanical systems, the Series 60 uses electronic unit injectors (EUI) – meaning fuel delivery is controlled by both mechanical motion and electronic timing.
When everything is working correctly, the result is:
When injectors start to fail, that precision is lost – and engine performance follows.
Continue reading Detroit Diesel Series 60 Fuel Injectors (Remanufactured): How They Work, When They Fail, and Why Replacement MattersHighway and Heavy Parts is your premier destination for Detroit Diesel engine parts, serving the diesel engine industry with high-quality and dependable components. Whether you need parts for the legendary Series 60, modern DD15, or DD13 engines, we stock the components that keep your fleet running strong.
Our extensive parts selection and ASE Certified Technicians give us a rare advantage when it comes to providing 5-star service and informational articles. Click around and read blogs about Detroit Diesel engines, parts, and how-to fixes.
Popular Engine Models & Components
Our extensive Detroit Diesel inventory includes parts for all major engine families. From Series 60 12.7L cylinder heads (8329620) and DD15 in-frame engine rebuild kits (DD1501145) to DD15 diesel fuel injectors (RA4600701387), we carry all the Detroit Diesel engine parts you’ll ever need.
Series 60 Parts & Support
The Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine remains a popular choice for many truck drivers, with all three versions of this electronically-controlled engine maintaining a favorable reputation despite being out of production for years. Our comprehensive Series 60 parts selection ensures you can keep these reliable workhorses operating at peak performance.
Engine Rebuild Solutions
Available for Detroit Diesel engines, our rebuild kits include pistons, gaskets, bearings, and other essential components. Our DD15 in-frame rebuild kits feature forged-steel monotherm pistons, cylinder liners with anti-polish rings, complete upper gasket sets with new head bolts, and comprehensive lower-end bearing kits including rod bearings, main bearings, thrust bearings, piston cooling nozzles, and water transfer tubes.
Critical Engine Components
We stock essential Detroit Diesel parts, including fuel injectors, turbochargers, water pumps, and cylinder heads. A worn or damaged diesel cylinder head can lead to significant engine issues, which is why we carry new and remanufactured cylinder heads and components.
Unmatched Quality Standards
At Highway and Heavy Parts, we place the highest priority on quality, ensuring every Detroit Diesel component meets or exceeds OEM specifications. Our commitment to excellence means you get parts engineered for durability and long-lasting performance.
Expert Support & Fast Service
Our ASE Certified Technicians provide expert support with great prices and fast shipping for heavy-duty trucks,
construction, oil and gas, and agricultural equipment. We understand the critical nature of keeping your Detroit Diesel engines operational.
Comprehensive Selection
Highway and Heavy Parts specializes in serving the diesel engine industry and provides high-quality and dependable Detroit Diesel engine parts. From routine maintenance items to major overhaul components, our inventory covers the complete spectrum of Detroit Diesel parts needs.
Browse our complete Detroit Diesel parts catalog today and experience the difference that quality components and expert service make for your heavy-duty diesel applications.
