As an over-the-road driver, your truck is the most important part of your business. If your truck fails, your profits will basically be halted. Being able to recognize the signs of engine failure can help you avoid this type of stressful mishap. Here are just some of the warning signs to look out for.

Increased Smoke

A small amount of unburnt fuel or smoke flowing around the crankcase isn't exactly unheard of when it comes to a semi-truck. However, the amount of smoke produced should never be excessive. If you're noticing an increase in the amount of smoke being produced, don't ignore this. This is often an indication that your position liners are failing, which will eventually lead to greater issue with the engine and possibly, complete failure.

Knocking Sounds

An intrusive knocking sound when you're operating your semi-truck is also something you don't want to ignore. Knocking noises often mean that the oil that is flowing through your engine is contaminated. Contaminated oil is a major issue that can quickly send an engine into failure mode. Not only does it lower the overall performance of the engine, it can also cause damage to the seals and bearings that support it, which will only lead to even greater repairs.

Black Exhaust

Black exhaust is an engine warning sign that you should investigate right away. When the exhaust is black, this means that the truck is burning oil or that there is an issue with the fuel in the engine. Whatever the case, both of these concerns can cause the engine to overheat, which can lead to immediate failure. In addition to black exhaust, these scenarios can sometimes produce a blue exhaust as well, so any time you see a colored substance coming out of the exhaust – take action.

Greater Oil Usage

Everyone knows that the engine needs oil to operate and if you've had your semi-truck for some time, you likely have a general idea just how often you generally need to add oil to your truck. If the frequency at which you need to add oil increases, this could be an indication of an engine issue. It could be that there is a leak in the line or that it is burning oil, but whenever the case, if oil isn't staying in the engine, this is a major issue.

If your semi-truck is displaying any of these descriptions, it's time to take action. Make sure you're taking your truck to a repair professional to keep your truck on the road. For more information, contact companies like Jason's Auto Repair.

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