Maintenance

Oil, fuel filters, coolant, glow plugs — keeping a diesel healthy between shop visits

20 articles
A mechanic working on a truck engine in an indoor mechanical workshop.
6 min read

What Is a Diesel Pusher? RV Engine Type Explained

A diesel pusher is a motorhome with the diesel engine mounted at the rear instead of the front. Learn how it differs from a gas Class A, what it costs to own, and what maintenance it needs to last 500,000+ miles.

A mechanic in a dimly lit garage working on a red semi truck, focus on repair.
7 min read

Can You Supercharge a Diesel? Turbo vs. Supercharger Explained

Yes, a diesel can technically run a supercharger — but almost none do. Learn why turbochargers dominate diesel design, when superchargers were actually used, and what it costs to add forced induction today.

A modern power plant with turbines and chimneys under a clear blue sky in Saudi Arabia.
7 min read

What Is Renewable Diesel? A Plain-English Guide for 2026

Renewable diesel is a drop-in fuel made from fats, oils, and greases that chemically matches petroleum diesel — unlike biodiesel, it needs no blending and performs better in cold weather. Here's what it is, how it's made, what it costs, and whether your engine can run on it.

A blue Volvo truck parked outside a warehouse in an industrial area, daytime scene.
7 min read

DEF Crystallization: Why It Happens and How to Avoid It

DEF crystallization clogs injectors, sensors, and pumps in your SCR system. Here's why Diesel Exhaust Fluid crystallizes, what it costs to fix, and how regular checks and fresh fluid keep your emissions system running clean.

Detailed shot of a car's interior highlighting the gauge and air vent.
7 min read

Preventing Diesel Fuel Gelling in Winter: A Practical Guide

Diesel gelling shuts down trucks, RVs, and generators when temps drop fast. This guide covers cloud points, winter-blend fuel, additive treat rates, block heaters, and a cold-weather fuel checklist to keep your rig running through the coldest months.

A man wearing a jacket refuels a truck at a gas station during winter with snow falling.
8 min read

Can Diesel Fuel Go Bad? Failure Symptoms & Warning Signs

Yes, diesel fuel can go bad — usually within 6-12 months once water, oxygen, or microbes get into the tank. Here's how to spot the warning signs before bad fuel wrecks your injectors or fuel pump.

A nuclear power plant in Hameln, Germany, showcasing cooling towers and electricity pylons.
8 min read

Common Issues with Diesel Generators and How to Avoid Them

Diesel generators fail for a short list of predictable reasons: wet stacking from low-load running, fuel contamination, weak batteries, and skipped filter changes. Here's how each problem starts, what it costs to fix, and the maintenance schedule that prevents it.

Mechanic focused on vehicle engine repair in an indoor workshop.
7 min read

How Do Diesel Engines Work? A Plain-English Breakdown

Diesel engines don't use spark plugs — they rely on compression to ignite fuel. Here's a clear, no-jargon breakdown of the 4-stroke cycle, fuel injection, turbocharging, and emissions systems that make diesels different from gas engines.

A large industrial truck parked in an urban setting, showcasing transportation industry visuals.
7 min read

Does Gas and Diesel Mix or Separate? What Happens When Fuels Combine

Gasoline and diesel don't separate like oil and water — they mix completely, and that's the problem. Learn why even a small gas-diesel mix-up can damage injection pumps, what to do if you misfuel, and what it costs to fix.