12 Common Myths About Diesel Engines

With so many myths about diesel engines out there, we thought it was time to address them head-on. Diesel engine myths sometimes stem from people’s lack of awareness of technological advancements and ongoing concerns regarding diesel’s environmental impact.

Identifying the misconceptions and understanding the truth about diesel engines can help you make better purchasing decisions, not to mention keep your diesel engine in good condition. Let’s get stuck in!

Old diesel engines were renowned for being much louder than petrol alternatives. However, today’s diesel engines, like Mercedes models, have been developed with increasingly efficient designs and acoustic reduction technology to keep them quiet.

Furthermore, applied noise reduction techniques help to keep noise to a minimum, from advanced fuel injection systems to sound dampers. This means that the noise of modern diesel engines is much smoother and quieter than what it used to be!

If you’re experiencing a noisy engine, you may want to check out our guide on the most common diesel engine problems and solutions.

One of the biggest myths about diesel engines is that they create a whirlwind of pollution. While older diesel engines produced large amounts of pollutants, technological developments have helped lessen new diesel engines’ pressure on our environment.

The diesel engines of today come equipped with emission control systems, sometimes armed with features like a diesel particulate filter and exhaust gas recirculation, which work to reduce emissions effectively. Plus, diesel engines actually produce less CO2 than petrol engines!

Diesel engines aren’t less powerful than their petrol counterparts, although they do have different power characteristics, including a higher torque, compression ratio, and fuel economy. Technological advancements have made modern diesel engines more powerful than ever. Our most popular brands, including Cummins, produce some of the most powerful engines on the market.

Another big myth about diesel engines is that they often don’t start in winter. However, if you’ve ever had a modern diesel engine, you’ll know this simply isn’t the case.

Nowadays, diesel engines start in cold weather with minimal effort, although you should be mindful of your fuel. Diesel can become more viscous at lower temperatures, which can cause your engine to fail. However, buying glow plugs to help warm up and vaporise the fuel can solve this problem.

False! While diesel engines are strongly linked with commercial vehicles, this doesn’t mean they’re made just for them. Diesel engines are not only used in trucks but also in bus fleets, agricultural machinery, and everyday cars. Many smaller diesel models are available, celebrated for being fuel efficient and offering incredible fuel economy regardless of your vehicle’s size.

While diesel engines tend to be more expensive to repair and may require more frequent maintenance than petrol alternatives, diesel can actually be more economical in the long term. 

This is especially the case if you plan on keeping your vehicle for the years to come; diesel is known for its longevity and is more fuel efficient than petrol, which can make your fleet more cost-effective in the long run.

However, if you do have an engine problem, such as overheating symptoms, our team can provide an affordable quote to get your vehicle back on the road in no time.

Turbo lag is the delay between pressing your accelerator and feeling power from the turbocharged engine, often being mistaken as beneficial for offering smoother acceleration. Despite this, turbo lag can actually negatively affect your vehicle’s handling and overall performance.

The delay in power delivery can decrease responsiveness, causing the vehicle to feel less predictable and sluggish. Turbo lag can also negatively affect fuel efficiency, as drivers might feel obliged to push down on the accelerator harder to compensate for any delays.

Diesel engines are still most frequently used in trucks, although they can perform well in trucks amongst other vehicles, regardless of their size.

Diesel engines can still hit the nail on the head when it comes to performance, generating more torque at lower revolutions per minute (RPM) than petrol alternatives. Moreover, diesel fuel contains more energy per litre, and the engines can operate at higher compression ratios, enabling them to extract more energy and resulting in a better fuel economy.

Diesel engines are usually more fuel-efficient than petrol engines due to diesel’s higher energy density and compression ratio. Therefore, these engines can enhance mileage and lower fuel consumption, making them ideal for long-distance driving.

While diesel engines are often thought to be best suited for long-distance highway driving due to their fuel efficiency, modern diesel engines also perform well in urban environments, with technological advances minimising issues like turbo lag.

Some people believe that diesel fuel is more dangerous due to the risk of fuel leaks. Despite this, diesel fuel is actually less flammable than petrol and requires a higher temperature to ignite, making it safer regarding flammability.

Furthermore, today’s diesel engines are developed with up-to-date safety systems and sealings to prevent fuel leaks where possible. All of our engines and parts here at Foxwood Diesel undergo rigorous testing to meet engine quality standards before we offer them to our customers.

While diesel engines are often thought to be more costly than their petrol counterparts, this isn’t always the case. The cost of ownership tends to be lower in the long run due to diesel engines' impressive lifespan and fuel efficiency. Plus, if you’re struggling with the upfront cost of a new diesel engine, you can always buy a more affordable reconditioned alternative.

At Foxwood Diesel, we sell and install a variety of reconditioned diesel engines and parts to ensure you can get back behind the wheel at the best price. Other than affordability, discover more reasons why remanufactured engines benefit bus fleets. 

Now that we’ve busted the top common myths about diesel engines, you’re ready to purchase the right engine and parts for you.

If you still have a question about diesel engine myths or our services, please check out our customer hub or get in touch today. A member of the team will be happy to help.