Expert Diesel Repair
in Elgin, IL

Diesel maintenance intervals vary by manufacturer but generally include oil changes every 5,000-10,000 miles, fuel filter replacement every 15,000-20,000 miles, DPF cleaning every 100,000-150,000 miles, and DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) refills every 3,000-5,000 miles. Heavy-duty use requires more frequent service.

Cold weather starting issues in diesels are often caused by glow plug problems, thickened fuel (gelling), weak batteries (diesels need more cranking power), or block heater failure. We diagnose and repair all cold-start issues and can install cold weather accessories to improve winter reliability.

Black smoke indicates incomplete combustion, often caused by clogged air filters, faulty injectors, turbocharger problems, or overfueling. While some black smoke under heavy acceleration is normal for older diesels, excessive smoke indicates problems requiring diagnosis and repair.

Yes, we service all diesel vehicles including light-duty trucks (Ford, Chevy, Ram), commercial vehicles, and diesel cars. Our technicians have specialized diesel training and diagnostic equipment for Powerstroke, Duramax, and Cummins engines, among others.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a urea-based solution that reduces NOx emissions in modern diesels with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. Running out of DEF will eventually limit your vehicle's speed or prevent starting. We maintain DEF systems and can diagnose related warning lights.

DPF systems capture soot particles from diesel exhaust and periodically burn them off through regeneration cycles. Active regeneration occurs automatically during highway driving, while passive regeneration requires technician initiation. Clogged DPFs from insufficient highway driving can cause reduced power and warning lights.

Diesel engines need oil with higher detergent levels and different additive packages than gasoline engines. Modern diesels often require low-ash oil to protect emissions equipment. Oil change intervals may be longer than gasoline engines, but severe duty cycles require more frequent changes.

Diesel fuel quality significantly affects performance and longevity. Poor quality fuel can contain water, sediment, or biological growth causing injector damage, filter clogging, and corrosion. We recommend using top-tier fuel stations and adding fuel conditioning treatments in problematic areas.

White smoke can indicate several issues: light white smoke when cold is normal, but persistent white smoke may suggest coolant entering the combustion chamber from head gasket failure, cracked heads, or injector problems. Blue smoke indicates oil burning, while excessive white smoke during DPF regeneration is normal.

Diesel turbochargers operate differently due to diesel's combustion characteristics. They often use variable geometry to optimize performance across RPM ranges. Diesel turbos typically last longer but require proper shutdown procedures and quality oil to prevent bearing damage from high operating temperatures.