Not all engine noise is the same.
A ticking sound and a knocking sound may seem similar, but they point to very different issues inside your diesel engine.
In many cases, both originate in the valve train system – and both can escalate into major engine damage if ignored.
Continue reading Diesel Engine Ticking vs Knocking: How to Diagnose Valve Train Noise Before It Causes Damage
Belt noise on a diesel engine is not just an annoyance.
It is often an early warning sign of misalignment, bearing failure, or improper belt tension.
Ignoring it can lead to:
Proper diagnosis requires understanding how the belt system operates under load.
Continue reading How to Diagnose Diesel Engine Belt Noise: Identifying Pulley, Tensioner, and Accessory Failures
The cylinder head on a Caterpillar C10 or C12 isn’t just a casting – it’s where combustion, airflow, and cooling all come together.
And when it fails, it usually doesn’t fail quietly.
Cracked heads, worn valve seats, and injector cup issues are some of the most common – and most expensive – problems we see on these engines. If you’re already chasing coolant loss, misfires, or compression issues, there’s a good chance the cylinder head is involved.
Continue reading Caterpillar C10 and C12 Cylinder Head Failure: Cracking, Valve Seat Wear, and When Replacement Is Required
If you’ve ever dealt with a diesel fuel system issue, you know how quickly things can escalate. What starts as a minor problem – like a slight misfire, rough idle, or extra smoke – can quickly turn into major engine damage if it’s not addressed early.
That’s what makes modern diesel fuel systems so challenging.
They’re not just sensitive – they’re precise to the point where even small disruptions can create serious problems. When something in the system changes – even slightly – it directly impacts combustion. If you’re already dealing with fuel system issues or looking to prevent them, you can explore our full range of diesel fuel system components designed for reliability and performance.
Continue reading Why Diesel Fuel Systems Are So Sensitive (And How Small Issues Turn Into Major Repairs)
When Caterpillar stopped producing on-highway diesel engines in 2010, it didn’t mean those engines disappeared.
In fact, thousands of Caterpillar engines – especially the C15 – are still running today in fleets across the country.
So the real question isn’t just why Caterpillar left the market.
If you’re looking for a full breakdown of that decision, read Why Caterpillar Stopped Making On-Highway Diesel Engines to understand the emissions, engineering, and business factors behind it.
👉 It’s what that decision means for reliability, parts availability, and long-term ownership today.
Continue reading What Happened After Caterpillar Stopped Making Truck Engines (And What It Means for C15 Owners Today)Do you own a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine? It probably runs well for the most part. All three versions of this electronically-controlled engine have a favorable reputation; despite being out of production for years, the Series 60 remains a popular choice for many truck drivers.
Continue reading Detroit Diesel Series 60 Common Issues and Failures
Dirty or clogged diesel fuel injectors are one of the most common – and most misunderstood – fuel system problems.
A lot of people think it’s just a restriction issue. Spray some cleaner, maybe swap a filter, and you’re good to go.
But in reality, injector contamination leads to precision failure inside the injector itself – and once that starts, performance drops fast.
Before you try a quick fix, it’s important to understand what’s actually happening inside your injectors.
Continue reading Dirty Diesel Fuel Injectors: What’s Really Happening Inside (And Why Cleaning Isn’t Enough)
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 ReplaceA breakdown while driving isn’t just inconvenient – it can be dangerous if handled wrong.
Whether it’s loss of power, overheating, a blown tire, or warning lights across the dash, what you do in the first few minutes matters most.
This isn’t about panic.
It’s about control, visibility, and safety.
Diesel engine overheating is one of the most common – and most damaging – issues you can face.
What starts as a slight temperature increase can quickly turn into major engine damage if not diagnosed correctly.
If your diesel engine is overheating, identifying the root cause early is critical to preventing expensive repairs and downtime.
Continue reading Diesel Engine Overheating: How to Diagnose the Problem
The cam follower in a Cummins L10 is a small component with a very large job.
It directly transfers motion from the camshaft to the valve train.
And when it fails, it doesn’t just affect performance – it can lead to catastrophic engine damage.
In the Cummins L10 valve train, the camshaft does not directly actuate the valves.
Instead, motion is transferred through a cam follower (cam lever with roller).
This component:
The roller rides directly on the cam lobe, making this a high-load, high-contact stress interface.
The Cummins L10 uses a roller-style follower to reduce friction and wear.
Compared to flat tappets, roller followers:
However, this design introduces a different failure risk — roller bearing failure.
The cam-to-roller interface experiences extreme contact pressure.
This is a classic Hertzian contact stress scenario, where:
Under normal conditions, a hydrodynamic oil film separates the surfaces.
But when lubrication is compromised, metal-to-metal contact occurs.
Cam follower failures typically start small but escalate quickly.
Common failure modes include:
Once the roller stops rotating:
This is where failure becomes severe.
A seized roller creates:
This leads to:
Eventually, this can damage:
The cam follower depends entirely on proper lubrication.
Oil must:
Failure causes related to lubrication include:
Without lubrication, failure accelerates rapidly.
A failing cam follower rarely fails alone.
It creates a chain reaction:
In severe cases, this can lead to:
Early detection can prevent major damage.
Watch for:
These symptoms often appear before catastrophic failure.
Cam followers should always be inspected during an overhaul.
Key checks include:
Reusing worn components increases the risk of immediate failure.
Replacement is recommended when:
It is often best practice to replace followers when replacing the camshaft.
If you’re rebuilding your engine or diagnosing valve train issues, cam followers should not be overlooked.
At Highway and Heavy Parts:
The cam follower may seem minor.
But it directly affects:
Ignoring it can lead to major repairs.
Proper function depends on correct operation across all components.
👉 Maintain Proper Oil Quality And Pressure
👉 Inspect Valve Train Components During Service
👉 Replace Worn Components Before Failure Occurs
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 to delivery, Highway and Heavy Parts has your back.
There are many possible causes of engine failure. You can see our earlier post on diagnosing engine failures, too.
Continue reading Diesel Engine Failure Diagnosis: Compression Issues
