Engine Repair 101

In almost any vehicle, the engine acts as the heart of the automobile by keeping the entire vehicle running smoothly and continuously. In order to keep your car operating at its peak potential, it’s critical that your engine stay in top shape; performing routine preventative maintenance on your car’s engine is essential to preventing it from experiencing premature failures or unexpected breakdowns.

Weekly inspection of the following items can assist you in maintaining your engine’s maintenance:

  • Check engine oil and coolant levels.

Not only is keeping your engine in top form important for the health of your vehicle, it’s also imperative for keeping you and your passengers safe. Below are some of the most common reasons for car engine failure and how you can repair them.

Engine repair 101

 

Causes for Car Engine Failure

Car engines often fail because owners ignore the following warning signs in their vehicles:

  • Engine flooding: Driving through standing water or through severe rainstorms with significant flooding can cause the water to enter the intake manifold, causing hydrostatic lock – bending the pistons and leading to potential engine damage.
  • Oil leaks: Oil leaking heavily from your car is usually a warning sign of a larger problem, so be sure to address any significant oil leaks early on.
  • Check engine light: Many people delay checking their vehicle for potential problems when the check engine light goes on, even though it’s usually a strong indicator that engine damage is already underway.
  • Cooling system: It’s important to periodically flush the coolant in your car’s cooling system to prevent the system from malfunctioning. If your cooling system has a blockage or is low on coolant, it could lead to an overheated engine.
  • Oil changes: If the engine is the heart, then the oil is the blood that keeps it pumping; therefore, it’s incredibly important to make sure you don’t fall behind on performing routine oil changes. Oil changes help to ensure that your car has a sufficient oil supply, and that the oil in the system is clean­ and free of dirty toxins that can potentially harm your engine.

Engine Repair Basics

Should your engine need repairs, there are several basic items to understand that can reduce your out of pocket expense:

  • Pay attention to the check engine light: Next time that light comes on, be sure to actually check under the hood – quickly. It could be an indicator that you need to replace your catalytic converter, spark plugs, or oxygen sensor.
  • Fuel and exhaust: Examine all elements of your fuel and exhaust systems to make sure your engine is getting the fuel it needs and that your exhaust system is expelling exhaust gas from the engine as needed.
  • Ignition: Check all parts of your ignition system to make sure that your car can generate the spark needed to get your engine up and running.

Understanding Potential Risks & Solutions

Understanding what puts your engine at risk of engine failure is essential to establishing the correct engine maintenance routine. Performing engine maintenance will not only help you ensure that your engine can provide reliable and safe transportation, but can significantly extend the life of your vehicle, as well.

And should a malfunction occur, knowing what basic engine repairs are required will help you preserve your car and your wallet!

To learn more about how Central Diesel can help your maintain and repair your engine, contact us today.

The Future of Engines & Fuel: A 2018 Outlook

It is next to impossible to imagine the world in existence without the origin of early power sources. In fact, the early 19th century is noted for its “power gap” where a lot of stalled progress was made on the back of the invention of the engine.

Over the last few decades, massive changes have swept this market. From the obsession with clean energy that calls for a completely different take on traditional power production to breakthroughs that have allowed us to do more with less fuel – the need for engines and their systems continues forward.

With 2018 in front of us, experts are cautiously optimistic about the future of the industry.

What Can the Engine & Fuel Injection Industry Expect Over the Next 12 Months?

Some of the biggest buyers of this sector are seeing robust growth.

Commercial fleets and aviation regularly invest in the R&D for better engines and 2018 augers well for them. The massive 1.3 trillion-dollar US freight industry is expanding at a rapid pace and with 1.4 million new vacancies, it is interested in recruiting workers who will view trucking as a lucrative career and not something to fall back on if other opportunities dry up. With this focus on improvement, the ATA has predicted a consistent annual spike of 3.4% in prospects for trucking businesses – well into 2023.

The automotive industry isn’t lagging behind either. Bolstered by low gas prices and a pick up in the housing curve – which has a strong correlation with domestic car purchases – it will continue to generate demand for engines and parts.

2018 also happens to be the year that was marked for the maturity of the fuel injection systems industry. The sector will peak at a value of $72.5 billion and the US will be one of the chief drivers of the momentum. There is no doubt that the concern for a greener world is here to stay and fuel injection systems – especially for gasoline – promise to provide a range of benefits including reduced pollution.

Central Diesel Inc. is Ready for the Upsurge:

As a reliable provider of engines, clean diesel engines, filtration systems, exhaust systems, electrical components and generators, we have successfully served the national government, transportation businesses, fabrication specialists and the automotive industry for close to 5 decades.

We are known for our ability to custom design parts and extend consultation, support and maintenance services for various niches.

If you are looking to keep pace with what 2018 has to offer, please follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also contact us to request quotes for your needs today.

2017 Industry Highlights

This December we’re taking a look back at some of the most important industry highlights from the past 12 months. We kicked off the new year with the importance of vehicle maintenance and moved right along to other top news stories breaking in the field. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, diesel engines, and initiatives like “green” diesel and National Manufacturing Day were all topics that caught the attention of many, not just the employees here at Central Diesel Inc. Let’s review!

What is the importance of maintaining your vehicle? Performing proper preventive maintenance on your vehicle or equipment will reduce the possibility of devastating issues like system failure, breakdown and contamination. Without taking precaution, you risk paying exorbitant amounts on repairs. For example, a contaminated CR fuel system on an over the road vehicle can cost $6,000.00 to $12,000.00. Skip the hassle and check and maintain your system regularly.

The environment is always on the forefront of conversations throughout the industrial sector. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, improves air quality substantially. One of their biggest aims has been replacing harmful diesel engines with upgraded environmentally friendly, clean tech diesel engines.

Believe it or not, there are also business benefits to reducing your carbon footprint. Let’s circle back to maintenance. Properly upholding your diesel engine is the best way to decrease emission effects like your TCO. Protecting and sustaining your gear not only upholds the environment, but is also proven to reduce downtime, increasing both productivity and profitability. Cutting your carbon production is a more effective solution than any other energy option available. Take a look at this recap we put together for professionals to consider:

  • Maintenance cuts your TCO
  • Reduces downtime
  • Increases productivity
  • Increases profitability

And we still had more to say about diesel engines. Transportation plays a key role in both the economy and the supply chain. Clean diesel engines are more efficient for cargo carriers like trains. Electrical systems are expensive, coming with a higher initial cost, and a risk in and of itself. An electric system isn’t a reliable source because obstacles like power outages stand in the way and don’t work as well for pulling heavier cargo. Clean diesel engine rail transportation is simply more reliable, moving a ton of freight for 500 miles on just a gallon of fuel, keeping roads less congested, and as rail and inland connections increase their logistics and productivity, rail becomes even more practical and efficient.

Driving the year home, we recently promoted one of the bigger movements in the manufacturing industry—National Manufacturing Day. Today, many still believe manufacturing is labor intensive factory floor work with little benefit, but that is far from true. Technology, STEM, secure job placement, and strong benefits contribute to a growing economy and are at the forefront of the sector. Annually celebrated on the first Friday of every October, we’re pleased to say that this is a strong, rapidly moving initiative that will continue to gain steam each year.

One more note on diesel! As a part of the effort, all industries that are a part of manufacturing look back at what businesses have achieved over the years. Diesel engines save the manufacturing sector millions every year in maintenance and repairs. The diesel engine market is billions of dollars strong in the US, heavily contributing to both the manufacturing sector and the economy. With the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act that we touched on above, this number is only going to increase.

We’d like to take a moment to thank all of our loyal customers and audience base for reading our blog, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on LinkedIn. We are passionate about the work we do and spreading accurate information and updates throughout the industry.

Here at Central Diesel, we are a distributor of clean diesel engines and fuel injection components.  We also offer additional services, accessories, and components for repairing your diesel engine.

For questions on any of our products or services, please contact us today.

 We wish all of you a very happy holiday season and can’t wait to connect and catch up with you in 2018! Happy/healthy new year everyone!

 

Business Benefits of Reducing Your Carbon Footprint in the Transportation Industry

Environmental Benefits of Equipment Maintenance

Being a leader in either the transportation or energy industry means taking on a knowledgeable role in environmental impact. Keeping your equipment maintained and up-to-date is one of the best ways to reduce your TCO (Total Carbon Output) ratio. Properly retaining your diesel engine is especially important to decrease emission effects.

Recap

  • Play a knowledgeable role
  • Maintain your equipment
  • Uphold your diesel engine

Business Benefits of Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Protecting and sustaining your gear not only upholds the environment, but is also proven to reduce downtime, increasing both productivity and profitability. Cutting/dropping your carbon production is a more effective solution than any other energy option available today.

Recap

  • Maintenance cuts your TCO
  • Reduces downtime
  • Increases productivity
  • Increases profitability

Central Diesel’s Initiative

Central Diesel, Inc. is committed to conservation efforts. We continually research and review technologies that allow us to lessen our carbon footprint. Take for example our use of electricity. In just the last four years we have been able to reduce our KW usage by over one-half. At the rate we are going, we will further reduce it to a mere 25% of what we were using as recently as 2013. Certain months require more electric usage, but overall we are on the steady decline of KW usage each year.

A good portion of our company vehicles are diesel powered. This allows us to reduce our fuel consumption expenses by over 25%.

Who We Are

We are a distributor of engines, premier fuel injections systems, and parts. We also offer rebuilding, parts, and many other custom services to diesel-powered equipment markets. We are an authorized, factory-trained, fuel injections and diesel engine specialty company with the goal of meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Other services we offer are custom built generator sets, irrigation pumps, hydraulic pump packages and power units.

To find out more about how we can help you, we welcome you to contact us today.

To learn more about Central Diesel, Inc. or how you can help the environment and lesson your carbon footprint, we invite you to read our blog, engage with us on LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter. We look forward to connecting with you!

Recognizing Industry Contributions for National Manufacturing Day 2017

Even though experts believe that two decades of policy failures have stagnated the growth of the US manufacturing sector, it is still active enough to employ 8.8% of the national workforce and taken alone would be the ninth largest economy in the world. But if the golden era of manufacturing is to return to the shores of the country in earnest, a lot more than just infrastructural expansion and demand generation would have to be taken into account.

While the next eight years will see about three and a half million new jobs added to the sector, sadly two million of these vacancies will go unfilled.

There is hope for the future but to usher it in the United States needs more students interested in S.T.E.M careers, better knowledge transfer between employees, and a revamped perception of what careers in manufacturing are like in 2017.

The National Manufacturing Day (NMD) – a nation-wide endeavor undertaken the first Friday of every October attempts to hit the goals above.

Annually celebrated on the 6th of October, we’re taking a look at the impact of NMD and the contribution of our industry to manufacturing as a whole.

What Has the National Manufacturing Day Achieved?

Over the last six years, the National Manufacturing Day has seen the participation of hundreds of thousands of suppliers, manufacturers, and students. More than 2,100 factory tours have been organized, and in 2017 it is expected that 600,000 businesses and individuals will be associated with the event.

Thanks to the impact of NMD and a closer look at the changing face of American manufacturing careers, 81% students are more convinced that manufacturing can provide them with stable, interesting and well-paying jobs.

89% are also more aware of manufacturing opportunities in their communities, and 64% are more likely to pursue them.

Diesel Engines: Igniting the Manufacturing Spark

Almost all industries that are a part of the manufacturing sector look back at what businesses have achieved over the years when the National Manufacturing Day rolls around.

The diesel engine market is billions of dollars strong in the US, heavily contributing to both the manufacturing sector and the economy. With the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, this number is only going to increase.

Moreover, without diesel engines, all aspects of manufacturing from the actual production of goods to their transportation suffer because other combustion set-ups consume more fuel, produce lower torque and are far less durable and resilient than their diesel peers.

Diesel engines save the manufacturing sector millions every year in maintenance and repairs.

A Word on Central Diesel

Central Diesel Inc. with its premier fuel injection systems, parts, and custom services is proud to chip in when it comes to providing these advantages.

This National Manufacturing Day visit our facility in Richmond and allow us to show you how we innovate on the job and boost customer satisfaction.

Want to look at our catalog? Call us at 800.598.9814. You can also follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest industry updates.

Happy National Manufacturing Day 2017 from the Central Diesel team!

 

 

Time is Money: Diesel Engine Trains Benefit the Economy and the Supply Chain

Railroads have been used to transport goods since the early 1800s. Using the railroad system meant that companies could reach a plurality of consumers more quickly.

The faster products got to their destination, the more profit companies made. Since that time, railroads have played a vital role in bringing products to customers all over the U.S and the world.

Today, there are several types of diesel trains which are broken down by their transmission type: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, steam, and pneumatic. Without diesel engines another form of power would have to be used. Electricity is expensive and comes with a high initial cost because it needs a third rail system or catenary system. The system consists of overhead lines or wires which run the electricity to the train. Put two and two together – an electric system isn’t a reliable source because obstacles like power outages occur and lines often don’t work well enough to pull heavy cargo.

In addition to being more reliable, diesel engines are also capable of moving a ton of freight for 500 miles on just a gallon of fuel. Freight that is moved by rail is away from roads reducing wear and tear of them. Rail transportation also helps to keep people safe with less road congestion. Although semis may seem faster, trains can now move freight faster than ever before across multiple states too. As rail and inland connections increase their logistics and productivity, rail becomes even more practical and efficient.

Although some would argue that railroads disturb ecosystems, hinder migration routes, and increase noise, some companies have ensured they are working to fight any negative impact of the rail system. According to Go Green Plus, “Most companies have a Code of Conduct having environmental compliance and safety requirements to operate accordingly to protect the environment and human health and safety. They also have procurement standards which look at the total cost of ownership (such as the quality, service, administration, and price) and documentation of compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

Here at Central Diesel, we are a distributor of engines, premier fuel injection systems, and parts. We offer rebuilding, parts, and other custom services to diesel powered equipment markets. We are an authorized, factory-trained, fuel injection and diesel engine specialist, with the goal to meet or exceed customer expectations. Our crew also builds custom generator sets, irrigation pumps, hydraulic pump packages and power units. To learn more about Central Diesel, please read our blog, follow us on Twitter, Facebook  or connect with us on LinkedIn.  We also invite you to contact us learn more about ways we can help you.

More than Just Diesel Engines

At Central Diesel, Inc. we have a long history of specializing in diesel engines, parts and services.  We are a growing distributor providing clean diesel engines from some of the top brands in the industry including Deutz, Mitsubishi, Kubota, and Zenith Power Products among many others.  Diesel engines are not our only specialty though, as we provide everything from hydraulic hoses & fittings, diesel engine electrical components, exhaust systems, fuel injection system & parts and diesel engine turbocharger assemblies.

Our capabilities also include a full service department which is manufacturer authorized, factory trained, and includes fuel injection and diesel engine specialists.  Proper maintenance of diesel engines is vital to ensure they operate properly and to extend the life of them and this often includes the replacement and repair of parts and components.

Accessories and components we offer for diesel engine repair and rebuilding include:

  • Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings: Products include hydraulic hose condition monitoring systems, crimp sleeves, hose fittings and hoses.
  • Diesel Engine Electrical Components: Products include cold weather starting products such as freeze plug heaters and diesel fuel heaters.
  • Exhaust Systems: Products include full exhaust systems along with all components such as housing, silencers, catalyst monitoring systems, and catalytic combination units.
  • Fuel Injection Systems & Parts: Products include parts and components for multiple brands of diesel engines including Ford, GM, Navistar, and Dodge/Cummins engines.
  • Diesel Engine Turbocharger Assemblies: Products include next generation turbochargers which can assist in meeting future emission requirements.

For the latest up-to-date company news and information be sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and contact us here for more information on the parts and accessories we can provide for your diesel engines.

Diesel Engines are Revolutionizing Agriculture

U.S. based agriculture has changed drastically over the past few decades. Even though farm and plot sizes have increased, the introduction of automation and mechanization has offered farmers the ability to work independently without being completely reliant on seasonal labor.

Diesel Tractor Agriculture

In our previous blogs we’ve discussed some of the different industries where diesel engines are used, as well as the shift to clean diesel technology only.  Below we look at the reasons why the diesel industry is vital to US agriculture.

Why is Diesel the Mainstay of US Agriculture?

Diesel isn’t just the life blood of tractors and vehicles racing across the highways. Agricultural equipment has also left gasoline alternatives behind to embrace diesel. There are a number of advantages accompanying this move:

  1. Diesels produce more torque at lower engine speeds thanks to combustion ignition.
  2. Diesel engines typically use 25% to 35% less fuel than spark based engines. For low-speed applications, this is even more critical.
  3. Diesels can support high power outputs at low speeds. Diesel engines produce less wasted heat and in the process they can tow heavy loads and run for longer periods of time without causing damage to the moving parts of the engine.
  4. The durability of diesel engines is unquestionable. They don’t need to be called in for frequent repairs or re-buildings, and when an overhaul is needed the process is far less complicated than for other engines.

Diesel Gets Better with New Clean Technology:

The clean technology diesel engines are a marvel of technological advancement. They have leveraged the trifecta of low sulfur fuel, clean burning mechanism, and effective emission control and exhaust treatment to already reduce 7.5 million tons of NOX, 39 million tons of CO2 and have saved over 65 million barrels of diesel oil since 2010.

Diesel fuel and clean tech diesel engines are not only making US agriculture more productive and economically important, they are also working behind the scenes to conserve fuel, save money and cut down on noxious fumes which add to the pollution caused by this sector.

At Central Diesel Inc. we are a premium distributor of diesel engines, parts, and other custom services. Our mission is to be a quality supplier of diesel engines and parts as well as offering unsurpassed solutions to our customers.  For more information on the products we offer, please contact us here.

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Helps Improve Air Quality

For heavy duty vehicles, diesel engines are the best choice due to their durability and efficiency. In past blogs we’ve looked at the steps that have been taken to make diesel engines more environmentally friendly with the shift to clean diesel engines. This resulted in standards which were designed to cut the allowable levels of sulfur in diesel fuel by 97%. To continue the shift to clean diesel engines, recently the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) was passed.

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act - Truck Emissions

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to allow for significant air quality improvements. Most recently it was announced that the EPA would be awarding $7.7 million to replace or retrofit 401 older diesel school busses under 27 states under DERA. The goal of this is to finance the replacement of older diesel buses with newer and more efficient technology.

DERA has been vital over the years to make sure old, harmful to the environment diesel engines are replaced and upgraded to environmentally friendly engines. According to a 2016 EPA report, more than 73,000 older diesel powered engines were upgraded or replaced between 2008 and 2013. The school bus rebate program made up a large number of these replacements, as school districts are able to obtain funds to upgrade their diesel engine powered school bus fleet. With the advancement in technology available, it is important for the environment to replace old diesel engines, with the new available clean tech diesel engines.

Here at Central Diesel Inc. we are a distributor of clean tech diesel engines that are used for numerous applications and industries including the marine, construction, mining, transportation, and agriculture industries. With a growing inventory of diesel engines from brands such as Deutz, Mitsubishi, Kubota, and Zenith Power Products among many others, we can meet all your clean diesel engine replacement needs. For more information on how we can assist please contact us. 

CDI’s Commitment to Quality

In our September blog, we mentioned that “Clean Diesel Engines” were leading the way to a cleaner environment around the world in all market segments.

Deutz has been one of the leaders in this break-through technology, to meet emission regulations today and into the future. Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, was one of the founding fathers of Deutz over 150 years ago.

Deutz continues this legacy by offering their customers initial cost effective solutions and reduced total cost of ownership expenses compared to their competition.

As a distributor and partner of Deutz, CDI is committed to offering our customers the best service solutions today and into the future. To meet these obligations, CDI has to continually invest in training and tooling to meet the high standards of Deutz and our customer’s expectations.

CDI commits $50,000 To $150,000 each year to training and equipment to meet and exceed these standards for our customers. CDI verifies this commitment by supplying our customers with a 14 month unlimited hours or miles warranty on service work.

Our commitment to a high service standard is reflected in our standing with Deutz Corporation:

SERNET Rating