Diesel engine specialists

Find diesel specialist mechanics for diesel engine problems and repairs

Diesel engine faults

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£205.92

Average quote for a diesel engine fault repair

What do diesel engine specialists do?

A diesel specialist will work predominantly on various types of diesel engines. These engines are different to petrol engines and require a different set of inspections, repairs and services.

Diesel specialist mechanics can work on many types of vehicles, not just cars. Other diesel vehicles that they specialise in include buses, vans, trucks and even farm equipment such as tractors. Any vehicle that runs on a diesel engine will use unleaded gas.

When your diesel engine warning light comes on or you feel a drag in the power of your diesel engine, you must act fast because the problem doesn’t disappear by itself. Seeking a diesel specialist is key, because the latest diesel engines from 2002 onward now work with extremely complex computer system controls and need specialist equipment and techniques to diagnose even simpler problem.

It’s good to understand too, that diesel specialists actually need more specialist training to be able to work with diesel engines. This is why garage employers will hire mechanics with this added certification to work as diesel mechanics and service technicians.

Diesel engine repair average costs and prices

The cost of diesel engine fault repairs can vary depending on the make and model of your car, and prices will vary between garages due to differences in labour time and parts needed. The average cost of a diesel engine repair is £205.92 when booked with WhoCanFixMyCar.

Below you will find the average cost of a diesel engine repair across some of the most common car makes.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£14.87
BMW£185.71
Citroen£159.72
Ford£236.30
MINI£326.17
Mercedes£184.97
Nissan£94.99
Peugeot£149.26
Renault£223.03
Toyota£65.13
Vauxhall£207.76
Volkswagen£245.86

Find a mobile diesel specialist

To keep your diesel car running in optimum condition it is best to have regular check ups and services by taking it to a diesel specialist. Some mobile diesel mechanics will even be able to visit you at your home to carry out your repair for you there, saving you the time and hassle of getting your car to the garage.

If you are looking for a mobile diesel specialist to repair your diesel car at home, you may find some close to your home that have the tools needed to diagnose problems from the customer’s home.  If you own a diesel car, then you know how important it is to have a diesel specialist work on your car that is familiar with them. We have a network of over 15,000 mechanics where you can find many diesel specialists near you.

  • Diesel engine repairs

    The average cost of a diesel engine repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £205.92.

    If you're having problems with your diesel car, a diesel engine specialist will be able to diagnose the problem and repair it for you.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Diesel engine repair
  • Mobile mechanic

    The average cost of a mobile mechanic booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £81.64.

    A mobile mechanic will visit you at your home or workplace and can carry out a wide range of different repairs. If the repair is more complex, the mechanic will collect your car, take it to a garage to be repaired, and drop it off when it's finished. The exact cost of a mobile mechanic will depend on the repair you need.

    Can include
    • Home visit
    • Servicing
    • Tyre change
    • Oil change
    • Recommended repairs
  • Car diagnostic test

    The average cost of a car diagnostic booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £51.66.

    Car diagnostics testing involves plugging your vehicle into special software that can reveal issues with its engine, electrical system, transmission, braking, exhaust system, and more. A specialist will run tests on your vehicle to expose the cause of any problems you're having with your car.

    Can include
    • Full diagnostic testing
    • Recommended repairs

Which diesel specialist service do I need?

The diesel specialists on WhoCanFixMyCar offer diagnosis, repair and maintenance of all makes and models of vehicles powered by conventional diesel technology. When diesel engines are not regularly serviced, repairs will become necessary.

Here are some of the common services in more detail:

1. Diesel engine repair due to overheating 

Possibly the most common problem with diesel engines is overheating. This can be caused when an engine is pushed too aggressively and can give rise to many negative side-effects, such as, damage to the bearings and crankshaft, pistons expanding or scraping against the cylinder walls, cylinder heads swelling, distorting or breaking. A diesel engine repair specialist can diagnose and repair this problem for you.

2. Oil leakages from a diesel engine

Often, any oil leaks will come from diesel engine parts, such as old seals or gaskets which no longer work effectively as they once used to. It’s important to get any oil leaks checked because if you leave them be, it can cause serious diesel problems, can be a threat to the environment and also a fire hazard. In the worst case scenario, it can cause complete diesel engine failure.

3. Oil supply problems on a diesel engine

The supply of oil to the diesel engine can have issues if someone has used the wrong oil, or lacks the right diesel engine oil. If the wrong type of oil was used, then the engine will not be primed effectively, which means it is running on air, rather than oil, which can cause engine failure if you do not seek immediate help. 

4. Using petrol in a diesel car

One common problem is when a motorist puts in the incorrect fuel for their diesel car. The problem here is that diesel engines are extremely susceptible to damage due to misfuelling, and can lead to bigger issues if the motorist was to drive off after fueling with the wrong gas.

If you have put the wrong fuel into your car, then you can find a diesel specialist who can remove the incorrect fuel and get you going with the right fuel again.

Top warning signs your diesel car needs a specialist

As diesel engines all vary and this is why, when it comes to problems with diesel engines there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution for any diesel engine problem, whether common or uncommon. The cause of the problem must be determined before going on to replacing damaged parts.

If you’ve been experiencing problems with your diesel engines, find a diesel specialist to take a closer look at the cause.

Warnings signs that your diesel car needs looking at, include: 

Warning sign on the dashboard

This is one of the more obvious and straightforward warning signs that your diesel car needs looking at. Diesel warning signs include glow plug indicator, fuel filter warning light, exhaust fluid warning light, AdBlue malfunction and more.

Warning signs on diesel cars are the first and most obvious reason to have your engine checked by a diesel specialist near you. 

Hard starting the diesel engine

If you come across an engine that is tricky or delayed in starting, then this can be a clear sign of low compression or a fuel delivery issue. If crank times are unusually longer than 3-5 seconds, then it may be an indication that you should have your diesel car checked.

Blowing smoke from the diesel car

Another key warning sign to watch out for is black smoke coming out of the exhaust. In fact, there are three colours of smoke that suggest there is a problem. These are block, blue or white smoke and may be accompanied by an unpleasant odour.

These emissions can indicate a faulty injector, injector pump, blocked air filter, or some other issue with the engine or sub-system. If the smoke has been blowing for an prolonged period of time, it is highly advised to service or at least have your vehicle checked for any issues that can lead to more serious damage and expense 

Lack of performance 

If your diesel vehicle is particularly lacking power, it is time to bring it in for a service with your local diesel specialist. Your vehicle can be tested on a dynamometer to establish the definite amount of power at the wheels and evaluate this to see whether it is delivering what it should be.

Knocking sound coming from a diesel engine

In the best case scenario, the knocking of the diesel engine just indicates that the engine is aged, with no real problems. However, at worst it could indicate that there is fuel contamination or faulty diesel injectors which can affect compression balance and reduce performance too. If you notice unusual engine noises or knocking sounds in the diesel engine, it is time to take it to a diesel specialist. 

Decreased performance

If your diesel vehicle is particularly lacking power, it is time to bring it in for a service with your local diesel specialist. Your vehicle can be tested on a dynamometer to establish the definite amount of power at the wheels and evaluate this to see whether it is delivering what it should be.

Rough running of diesel engine

Rough running in aged diesel engines is a common issue and can indicate a faulty glow plug or an inefficient fuel injection system. Glow plugs heat the fuel-air mixture helping the ignition process when the engine is cold. A faulty glow plug or glow plugs can cause hard starting and rough running until the engine gets up to operating temperature.

What are some common diesel engine issues?

The most common diesel engine faults, technically-speaking, are: low compression, glow plug problems, faulty injectors or high-pressure pump, turbo-related problems such as worn bearings or variable vanes - as well as issues common to both petrol and diesel engines.

What are the symptoms of diesel engine problems?

A good place to start is with exhaust smoke. Black smoke usually means fuel is not being burnt completely, indicative of faulty injectors, valves or turbo. White smoke often means fuel is going unburnt and is a symptom of low compression (diesel engines run at a higher compression than petrol ones.)

How much does a diesel engine repair cost?

Diesel engine faults can take many different guises, but our data shows that most repairs are in the £150 to £300 range. Post your job to compare quotes near you today.

Does diesel car repair come under your warranty?

A diesel car warranty is like the petrol car warranty and covers the cost of labour and parts over an agreed timeframe if your vehicle needs repairing due to mechanical or electrical failure.

Warranty for diesel cars term lengths will vary but a typical example is three years or 60,000 miles – whichever you arrive at first. The warranty generally covers the cost of repairs to engines and transmission, fuel systems, air conditioning and cooling systems, gear boxes, steering, suspension, non-frictional clutch and brake parts and electrics.

Is misfuelling my diesel car covered by insurance?

The details of your insurance policy will tell you whether your particular issue with the diesel is covered. Misfuelling can lead to a pretty large repair bill for a diesel car if it has been driven, but you may be able to get cover through your car insurance. If you have made this common error, then it can cost between £200 to drain and £2000 to repair the diesel engine. Some insurance providers may cover all costs. It’s better to give your own insurance provider a call to see whether you are covered.

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