Diesel Vehicle Service
Our Drive-in facility is your resource for quality
repair & technical information concerning performance and
maintenance of your diesel vehicle. It takes a special kind of
person to own & operate a diesel and it takes a special kind
of company to repair and service one. Whether you need a simple
fuel filter change, an electronic fuel system diagnostic, or an
exhaust brake, we are your experts! If you use your diesel for
work or play, our goal is to assist you in obtaining optimum
performance and if a repair is necessary, to complete that
repair as soon as possible.
Does your diesel belch black or white smoke? Have you lost
the raw power you bought your diesel for? Is it difficult to
start your engine? Call us and we will make the smoke disappear,
retrieve the lost power, and make starting a simple turn of the
key. Even many of the most experienced gasoline mechanics won't
touch a diesel engine. Let our fully trained diesel technicians
diagnose the problem your vehicle may be having and remove &
replace your fuel injection pump, injectors, or turbocharger
(gas & diesel) when a repair is needed.
Having starting problems? Our technicians are experienced
in diagnosis and repair of starting systems and glow plug
systems.
Common Problems
Oregon Fuel Injection has been doing diesel vehicle service
and fuel system diagnostics since 1982. We own several diesel
vehicles (Ford PowerStroke, Dodge 24 valve, Chevrolet Duramax,
Chevrolet Tahoe 6.5L, Chevrolet 6.2L pick-up & blazer), and
have owned others in the past, such as Volkswagen Rabbit and GMC
Jimmy 6.2L.
The following problems/solutions listed are what we commonly
find in our service facilities. While we don’t advocate
replacing parts before complete diagnostics are done, many of
you may not have access to a scan tool or a repair shop
completely familiar with your vehicle. Proper diagnostics
involve having the correct service manuals and equipment to do
the job right. Part replacement without complete diagnostics is
like shooting in the dark. You may or may not solve the problem.
Use the following "common problems" information keeping the
above in mind.
Pyrometer Probe Installation
We recommend installation of the pryometer probe (stinger)
into the exhaust manifold ahead of the turbocharger. The reason
for doing it, "this way", is to get a more accurate temperature
reading. The "Old Rule of Thumb" that the reading was 150
degrees less if installed after the turbo is no longer accurate.
The difference in temperature readings varies with boost
pressure increases, for example, at 15 PSI boost pressure the
difference will be about 150 degrees. Many of todays engines run
30 PSI (300 degrees difference) to 40 PSI (400 degrees
difference) of boost pressure ,particullary afer performance
modifications. In other words if the probe on your pick up is
installed after the turbo and you are getting 900 degrees at 30
PSI boost, the true temperature of the exhaust gases are
(900+300) 1200 degrees.
There has been concern that the probe may break off and go
through the turbo, we haven't seen a broken Isspro pyrometer
probe in over 15 years.
Low Power
Always change the fuel filter before doing further diagnostics
if it is dirty, or if it has been more than 7,500 miles since
the last change.
Fuel Filter Change
1. We recommend changing the fuel filter(s) every 7,500 - 10,000
miles.
Note: Dodge is the only manufacturer that recommends a different
interval for severe service. That makes sense, because during
severe service use you normally burn more fuel, thus the filter
has to filter more fuel.
2. DO NOT fill the fuel filter through the fuel outlet! A
secondary fuel filter is normally rated at 8-10 microns, 25
microns = .001 of inch. You can’t see the contamination that a
filter will remove from the fuel. If there is a way to prime the
fuel system without filling the filter (electric fuel supply
pump or hand primer) do that. If not, then fill the filter
through the inlet holes (usually the smaller outside holes),
that way the fuel will be filtered before it gets to the
injection system. The newer fuel systems need even closer
tolerances, HEUI (like Ford PowerStroke) 4-7 microns,
high-pressure common rail (like Duramax and 2003 Dodge) require
2-4 micron filtration. We carry the O.E. filters for Dodge,
Ford, and Chevrolet diesels as well as add on units
from Racor.
3. If you want to know how dirty the fuel filter was - do not
cut it open. Vigorously shake it out into a clean container.
Look for extreme amounts of contamination (fuel is like mud) or
water. That will help determine fuel filter change
intervals.