Almost all heavy-duty machinery uses diesel engine fuel as opposed to standard gasoline engines. Diesel engines are much more popular overseas than in the United States—about 45 percent of people who purchase vehicles in western Europe opt for diesel-powered vehicles, versus just five percent of vehicle owners in the United States. Still, diesel engines aren’t just used for cars—they’re also used for machinery and equipment used for construction, lawn maintenance and much more.

Here are a few examples of some of the biggest pros and cons associated with the use of diesel engines. Talk to your trusted provider of diesel engine repair in Corpus Christi, TX to learn more.

Pros

  • Efficiency: This is perhaps the biggest benefit of diesel engines—their compression-ignition system is significantly more efficient than what you can expect from gasoline engines. Instead of spark plugs, diesel engines require much more compression to heat up the air. With greater compression, the temperature inside the diesel engine is hotter than what you’d get from a gas-operated motor, which results in greater energy production with the use of less fuel, increasing gas mileage and travel distance.
  • Torque: Diesel engines produce more energy, which means they’re also capable of producing greater amounts of torque than standard gas engines. This is particularly beneficial if you plan to tow a trailer or haul anything heavy.
  • Durability: Diesel engines can withstand much higher temperatures than gas engines, which means they also tend to last longer. This means you won’t have to spend as much money on repairs and potential engine replacement.
  • Resale: The durability and efficiency of diesel engines makes them attractive on the resale market, especially compared to gas engines.

Cons

  • Fuel cost: While you do get greater fuel efficiency out of a diesel engine, the fuel itself will cost more at the pump. Depending on the frequency with which you drive your vehicle or use the diesel-powered equipment, you’ll have to determine whether the fuel efficiency is worth that extra fuel cost.
  • Repair costs: Diesel engines also cost more to repair, especially when you fail to keep up with your ongoing maintenance. The average prices for repairs to diesel engines are much higher than those of repairs to standard gas engines.
  • More expensive upfront costs: Diesel-powered equipment and vehicles tend to be more expensive to purchase than gas-powered alternatives. The price could be a difference of several thousand dollars, depending on the application.
  • Less accessibility: Not every gas station will carry diesel fuel, and in the United States especially, accessibility can be an issue when you consider the relatively low percentage of people who own diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. This is definitely something to take into consideration if you’re thinking of purchasing a diesel-powered car or truck.

These are just a few examples of some of the pros and cons associated with the use of diesel engines. For more information and tips about these engines, or to schedule diesel engine repair in Corpus Christi, TX, we encourage you to contact the team at Coastal Diesel Injection today.