Most people think winter is the hardest season on a diesel engine.
Cold starts, thick oil, weak batteries, gelled fuel, and freezing temperatures all create obvious problems.
But summer can be just as hard on a heavy-duty diesel engine—sometimes harder—because the warning signs are often less obvious.
A truck may run perfectly in spring, then start feeling sluggish once temperatures rise, the trailer is hooked up, the A/C is running, and the engine is working under load. The temperature gauge may still look normal, but the cooling system, oil, fuel system, turbocharger, and aftertreatment system may all be operating closer to their limits.
Summer heat does not always break a diesel engine immediately.
It tests every system that was already weak.
Summer heat increases stress on the cooling system, engine oil, fuel system, turbocharger, airflow system, and aftertreatment components. The best way to protect your diesel engine is to address small maintenance issues before high temperatures, heavy loads, and long idle periods expose them.
Continue reading Why Summer Heat Is Harder on Diesel Engines Than You Think
