If you are a diesel truck owner, you know that when the temperature begins to fall, your truck is expected to work a little harder. If you’re suddenly losing power in colder weather, it’s only natural to suspect your turbocharger is failing, but that’s not always the case. There could be many issues to blame, but one that consistently flies under the radar for diesel truck owners is drag.
Common Symptoms Associated With Drag
When your diesel truck is not operating at optimal power levels, you’re going to experience any of the following depending on where your drag issue is occurring:
The list goes on and on, but the first step is to identify the area of the truck that is affected.
Driveline Drag
If you have no engine lights illuminating your dash and the engine isn’t throwing any codes, the engine sounds normal and the power feels fine, it’s time to look elsewhere. One of the first places to inspect is the driveline.
If your diesel truck’s clutch (manual) is slipping or if your torque converter (automatic) is worn, the power your engine produces isn’t being transferred.
If you’ve got sticky calipers or seized brake components, that can make it feel like your engine is losing power. This can also lead to the aforementioned noises, heat buildup and smoke.
Don’t forget about the wheel bearings and your differential fluid. Problems with either can create friction and resistance, making your truck feel sluggish.
Filter Drag
It sounds elementary, but something as simple as failing to replace your filters regularly can create a host of contamination issues that will bog your truck down.
By staying on top of your air and fuel filter maintenance and using high-quality filters, you’ll help ensure optimal airflow, consistent fuel flow and proper combustion. You’ll also reduce soot and carbon buildup. Finally, you’ll put less strain on components such as the fuel injectors and turbochargers.
Electrical Ecosystem Drag
Your electronic control module (ECM) needs accurate data to keep your diesel truck running smoothly. It relies on sensors throughout the truck, including the throttle position sensor, crankshaft position and other areas. A faulty sensor will send bad data to the ECM, which leads to poor performance.
The ECM also relies on consistent voltage for sensor accuracy, which means if your alternator is malfunctioning, the voltage will be anything but consistent.
Outdated or corrupted ECM software may not communicate properly with newer sensors or aftermarket components. If you let your ECM software fall behind, even a healthy engine component will not perform as intended, resulting in power loss.
Schedule Your Service Today
Get ahead of the change of seasons by bringing your diesel truck to us at Gray Diesel & Equipment Services. Our team of expert mechanics will identify and resolve diesel drag or any other performance issues that can lead to costly downtime and reduced performance. Contact us and schedule an appointment today.