If you own or operate a fleet or commercial truck, you’re probably pretty familiar with diesel vehicles. But why are diesel engines predominantly used in commercial vehicles, and where did they start?

In the diesel world, "blow-by" is a term you’re bound to run across at some point if your line of work involves diesel-powered vehicles of any kind. What is blow-by, what causes it, and how concerned should you be? At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, our fleet maintenance and diesel technicians see it on a regular basis. Here we’ll take a quick look at blow-by, correcting it, and preventing it.

In the diesel world, "blow-by" is a term you're bound to run across at some point if your line of work involves diesel-powered vehicles of any kind. What is blow-by, what causes it, and how concerned should you be? At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, our fleet maintenance and diesel technicians see it on a regular basis. Here we'll take a quick look at blow-by, correcting it, and preventing it.

What is Blow-By? - Diesel blow-by is a term that describes an event of lost compression into the crankcase. Blow-by occurs whenever a burnt or unburnt fuel and air mixture escape from the cylinder and past the piston rings and into the crankcase. In a perfect world, the piston would be sealed tightly in the cylinder, able to move up and down but keeping all the air and fuel and exhaust that enters or exits the cylinder during the combustion process out of the crankcase. As you'll see, this perfect world doesn't exist, but it is important to minimize the amount of blow-by in a diesel engine.

On gas engines, the fuel delivery system is pretty simple - an electric pump draws gas from the tank, and pushes it to the injectors. Diesel systems are a little more complex. At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, we like to keep you informed about what’s on your truck, how it works, and how to maintain it, so you stay reliably on the road.

When you think about diesel engines, you probably think about large trucks and machinery, and maybe a few oddball cars over the years.  But how long has diesel really been around, and why is it used the way it is today? BB Automotive in Midland, TX has the answers you need to become more in-tune with your diesel truck and engine. 

No matter what type of fleet vehicles or commercial trucks you maintain, the fuel system on your diesel is an integral part of keeping you on the road. Gas systems are pretty simple - there’s basically just a pump that pushes gasoline to the injectors. Diesels are a bit more complicated.

Your fuel system is comprised of a variety of parts, each tasked with keeping your engine running strong - Chevy, Ford, and Ram all have small differences, and diesel systems have changed over the years with innovation in the field; however, the fundamentals haven’t changed. At BB Automotive, our technicians are familiar with the differences between models and generations, but for the intents and purposes here they aren’t necessary to know. Here’s an overview of the major components you’ll find in most diesel fuel systems.

Diesel engines are known for their reliability - that’s probably at least partially why you bought one. However, like all things, diesels and their components wear out eventually. Fortunately, the technicians at BB Automotive in Midland, TX have you covered. Here are some fuel system issues to watch out for.

Now that you’ve got an idea of the components that make up a diesel system, and what they do, understanding how the system works in a more cohesive way isn’t difficult. At BB Automotive in Midland we understand what’s going on in your fuel system while your diesel engine is running.

Good diesel technicians and shops that service diesel engines are hard to come by. At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, diesels are our specialty. There are many reasons to have diesel truck maintenance performed by diesel specialists - here are just a few.

When it comes to installing new tires on your Dodge, Chevy, or Ford diesel pickup, you want it done right the first time. Our technicians have the equipment necessary to get you cruising smoothly down the road in no time.

There are a wide variety of tires available for your diesel truck, no matter what sort of pickup you drive. The climate, the terrain you drive on, and how you drive will determine which tire is best for you. Here’s a short list of common truck tire types.

Every car, truck, van, and SUV on the road today has headlights. However, you've probably noticed an increase in different types of headlights in more recent years - gone are the days where every vehicle on the road had the same bulb. Here is some information on headlights, from BB Automotive in Midland, TX.

At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, our goal is to keep your car, truck, or SUV reliable and in great shape. To us, it’s important that we’re paying attention to both your needs and the needs of your vehicle. When it comes to oxygen sensors, sometimes it seems a bit nebulous on what they actually do and why they’re important; we’re here to clear things up for you.

Whether you drive a Ram, Chevy, or Ford diesel pickup, our expert technicians have the know-how you need - from trivia to engine rebuilds, we’ve got you covered.

At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, it’s important to us that your car, truck, or SUV is ready for any condition. Coolant flushes are an important part of getting your vehicle ready for winter - here’s why.

Increasingly, technology in automobiles is becoming more sophisticated, and more and more systems have become reliant on electronic control modules to operate. At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, we have the trained technicians and the equipment necessary to deal with issues that arise as a result of these components.

The engine in your Chevrolet, Dodge, or Ford diesel pickup is the heart and soul of your truck. At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, we repair, rebuild, and replace engines with quality parts and builds, keeping your truck on the road for years to come.

We know how important a good exhaust setup is on a diesel truck. Whether you’re powered by a Cummins, a Duramax, a Powerstroke, or something else, your exhaust plays a major role in performance, engine sound, and even aesthetics. At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, our professional mechanics have the equipment, knowledge, and ability necessary to get your exhaust in shape.

At BB Automotive in Midland, TX, maintaining your fleet and keeping your business reliably on the road is our primary focus. As trucks wear out, and they always do, you will inevitably be faced with this dilemma - “Should I fix this truck, or replace it with a new one?” This isn’t always an easy question to answer. As your fleet specialists, our team here at BB Automotive is here to help you decide.