Diesel engines are often noisier than gasoline ones, which can be vexing if this is your first time behind the wheel of a diesel truck. Learning how you can make your diesel truck quieter helps make sense of the situation and how to combat it.
Change the Fuel
Not all diesel engine vehicles may use the same kind of diesel fuel. Your truck may have a certain kind of diesel it runs best on, and you might be using the incorrect one. The recommended cetane level for your vehicle’s engine should be in the owner’s handbook.
Your engine’s noise level will increase if you continue to use fuel with the incorrect cetane number. If you fill up with the right fuel, though, the vehicle’s engine should become quieter. Also, just as you don’t want to put diesel fuel in a gas car, you don’t want to put regular gas in a diesel vehicle. That could also make things noisy and hurt performance.
Use Well-Lubricated Synthetic Oil
Using synthetic oil is a smart move for a noisy engine because normal oils don’t have nearly as much lubricant as synthetic oils, which helps them minimize friction. Less friction means less resistance for moving components, which leads to excessive noise.
Remember that synthetic oil is far more costly than conventional oil, so partially synthetic oil is an option if you’re trying to save money. This cheaper oil has the same noise-reducing effects as more expensive oils but at a considerably lower price.
Try Soundproofing Measures
There’s a lot of soundproofing material in your car’s engine bay that’s there specifically to keep outside noise from filtering into the passenger compartment. Still, the engine noise in most vehicles, particularly diesel ones, will likely remain even with insulation. Fortunately, using additional means can muffle the sound significantly.
Focusing on specific areas of the vehicle is also paramount for the best results. The under-the-hood surface of many diesel vehicles has a slight indentation, making it an ideal spot to target without worrying about any interference with the engine. You may also clip the insulation to your vehicle’s hood if it has no corresponding depression.
Just avoid putting insulation where it might cause problems for the motor. You don’t want to suffocate the motor by blocking its air intake.
Fix the Seals
Like air leaking in and out of your home, improper sealing around your windows and doors can also worsen the situation. If you notice lots of engine noise while traveling at a higher speed, it could be because of the engine noise that enters the cabin via damaged seals. The unpleasant noise could make your drive unbearable if you can’t control it. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy fix.
Just get a new seal set and a flathead screwdriver. Remove the old seals by inserting a flathead screwdriver under each one and lifting it up and out of the way. The new seals should fit tightly around the doors and windows.
Trying these methods to make your diesel truck quieter should appease your ears and the neighbors around you. While having a little thunder under the hood is enjoyable, you’re better off keeping things controlled.
