Expert diesel truck repair for all heavy-duty vehicles on Vancouver Island. Powerful engines built to last deserve specialty care from our professional red seal mechanics to maximize their potential.
Routine and scheduled maintenance for top vehicle performance. High-tech digital record keeping for optimal diesel truck maintenance.
Less downtime with experienced repair and proactive diagnoses. With experienced management we ensure your vehicle is always running at peak performance.
Diesel mechanics with Red Seal certifications. Specializing in the most difficult of automotive engines. With years of school, paid training and certifications to back it up.
We are a family owned & run business focused on repairing and maintaining Diesel Trucks. Our mechanics focus exclusively on Powerstroke, Duramax, Cummins and Sprinters. We provide additional services like Courtesy Shuttle Rides, Complimentary Multi-Point Visual Checkups for every visit, and 2yr/40,000km Nationwide Warranties.
We’ve built our company around removing the frustration from diesel truck repair.
Every business with a fleet knows they need specialized diesel mechanics on their side doing their best to avoid any downtime. That’s why our Nanaimo location is so committed to ensuring the top standards in fleet maintenance, for Sprinters, Transits, and More. Fleet issues on the mainland? We have more sister locations ready for you.
1. Vibration: Diesel engines inherently produce vibrations due to the intense combustion forces inside the cylinders. Over time, excessive vibration can lead to issues, including fuel or oil leaks. Increased engine vibration may also indicate more significant problems, such as valve clearance issues, piston slap, injector misfires, or compression problems.
2. Hard Starting: Diesel engines can experience hard-starting problems, often attributed to battery issues, glow plug malfunctions, or fuel-related problems like low-pressure fuel supply or failing injection pumps. Cold weather can exacerbate these issues, making proper battery maintenance and block heater use crucial.
3. Emissions Equipment: Modern diesel engines are equipped with emissions control systems, including exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filters (DPF). These components are susceptible to premature failure due to soot and carbon buildup, affecting engine performance and efficiency.
4. Contaminated Fuel: Water contamination is a significant concern for diesel engines, as it can lead to rust and corrosion in the fuel system. Regular fuel filter and water separator maintenance, along with sourcing fuel from reputable stations, can help prevent these issues.
5. Sensor Failure: Diesel engines rely on various sensors for proper operation, and a malfunctioning sensor can lead to performance problems, reduced efficiency, or even engine shutdown. Exhaust gas temperature (EGT), NOx, pressure differential, and oxygen sensors are essential for emissions control and overall engine health.
6. Overheating: Diesel engines under heavy loads can overheat due to factors like coolant leaks, malfunctioning fans, stuck thermostats, or a dirty cooling system. Neglecting cooling system maintenance can lead to engine damage.
7. Electrical Issues: With the increasing complexity of electronically controlled diesel engines, electrical problems can be challenging to diagnose and resolve. Common issues include bad connections, wire chafing, and intermittent electrical faults.
8. Diluted Engine Oil: Modern diesel engines may dilute engine oil during regeneration events, where excess fuel is injected into the exhaust. This can lead to reduced oil viscosity, bearing wear, and decreased oil service life (get an oil change checkup).
9. Injection System Failure: Diesel injectors and injection pumps are prone to failure, often due to poor maintenance, low-quality fuel, or internal wear. Injector problems can result in hard starting, rough idling, increased smoke, and fuel consumption.
10. Head Gasket Failure: While less common, head gasket failures can occur over time, leading to coolant and oil leaks. This can result from factors such as head flexing, increased engine power, or simply the cumulative effects of heat cycles.
Our Diesel Mechanics are well experienced in all of these common issues, that we see constantly in our Nanaimo location.
The Ram Cummins ISB 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine, known for its power, faces common problems. Earlier models lacked diesel exhaust fluid, causing Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) clogs, leading to power loss, harder engine cranking, fault codes, and reduced power mode. Turbochargers may fail due to high heat and speeds. Blown head gaskets can occur, leading to white exhaust smoke. Fuel dilution from DPF operation increases engine part wear. EGR valve and cooler issues arise with higher mileage, with costly replacements.
Duramax engines, renowned for their reliability, may encounter issues, especially after 160,934 kilometers. Glow plug problems, particularly in 2006 models, affect fuel efficiency and engine performance. Injectors, especially in 2001-2004 LB7 models, can lead to starting issues and misfires. Fuel system problems, like hard starting and lower fuel economy, are widespread. Water pump failures, typically at 128,747 kilometers, risk engine overheating and damage. Fan clutch problems in pre-2005 models can cause engine overheating. Faulty PCV designs in 6.6L Duramax engines may result in oil leaking into the turbocharger, potentially leading to severe engine issues. Regular monitoring can prevent major troubles.
Common problems in Powerstrokes diesel engines included radiator and coolant system leaks, glow plug issues (especially in 2011 trucks), oil leaks from the vacuum pump gasket, NOx sensor problems (addressed through a satisfaction program), turbocharger challenges (improved in later models), and faulty EGT sensors (mostly in 2012 models). Gen 2 (2015-2019) saw upgrades but had some EGR cooler, fan clutch, crankshaft damper, and turbo-related problems. Gen 3 (2020-2023) generally offered a more refined engine with fewer known issues. Regular maintenance and using compatible parts are essential for trouble-free operation.
The EcoDiesel engine has experienced several issues, notably in earlier models. These include EGR cooler failures with coolant leaks, potentially leading to engine fires. Exhaust couplers in 2014-2015 models cracked, allowing exhaust fumes into the cabin. Timing chain and camshaft problems caused engine misfires and rattling. Some models faced oil cooler failures during heavy loads. Conducted recalls, particularly for EGR cooler problems. While these issues raised concerns, newer EcoDiesel engine models have seen improvements to enhance reliability. Proper maintenance remains crucial to mitigate problems and extend engine life.
