When it comes to diesel engines, the Detroit DD15 is the one to beat. It comes with loads of impressive features that make it a high-performance and durable engine. Here are some features of the Detroit DD15 diesel engine.
The Detroit DD15 engine gives you the proper response when you need it. This is called torque response. It delivers the power you need to climb hills, overtake when you want to and make deliveries on time. It can achieve 90 percent of its peak torque in one and a half seconds, allowing you to climb hills without keeping your foot on the gas and your hand on the gear stick. Other diesel engines usually take 4.4 seconds to achieve up to 90 percent torque.
The DD15 engine has an Amplified Common Rail Fuel System, or ACRS, which works with the DDEC IV electronics. This combination creates the optimal combustion system which gives you the right torque at the right time. Its combustion ratio of 18:41 gives better cylinder pressure than other engine designs, which gives higher power and faster torque response.
Its turbocharger and hollowed-out dual overhead camshafts work in tandem to make your DD15 diesel truck engine rev up faster and accelerate quicker than older Detroit engine models. This gives the engine incredible performance.
The engineering behind the Detroit DD15 engine is designed to make maintenance easy and affordable. Its engine subsystems are manufactured to simplify parts replacement and preservation. This minimizes downtime during routine servicing. In addition, it is designed to have tong intervals between routine servicing, which reduces the cost of frequent engine servicing.
The oil filters of the DD15 engine are located at the top of the frame rails and have a cartridge design for easy replacement. This makes the engine easy and affordable to maintain.
The Detroit DD15 diesel engine has a Jacobs Engine braking system, which allows you to hit the brake with no jolts. It has three braking levels to give you more braking control. The Jacobs braking system lets you have minimal engine noise while braking since it is lighter than other braking system designs.
This engine has a long torque range, which is the amount of time your diesel engine can perform at near-peak torque levels. The low-end torque can go as low as 1000 rpm. This low-range torque and minimal shifting will help you carry the heaviest of loads without any engine strain. When you get up the hills, you won't have to slow down or shift as much.
As with any other piece of machinery, the DD15 diesel engine has its drawbacks some more severe than others. Here are some of the most common engine problems associated with the Detroit DD15 diesel engine.
The Detroit DD15 diesel engine may experience lowered oil pressure after cruising more than half a million miles. This is because, with time, the O-rings on the oil suction manifold will harden and lose their ability to maintain their proper seal. When the O-rings lose their suction strength and seal, you need to replace them by dropping the oil pan and replacing each individual part.
It is important to ensure that you go to a proper service station since most make the common mistake of assuming that the oil pump fails after this mileage. Replacing the oil pump is way more pricey than putting in new O-rings. In fact, some shops may replace entire engines when you describe your engine problem to them. An experienced service station that has experienced the DD15 diesel engine will know the various components and will recognize the low oil pressure after 500,000+ miles.
Sometimes, the DD15 engine experiences oil leaks around the fuel pump, air compressor, oil coolant system, and camshaft housing. These leaks are oftentimes caused by loose gasket seals around them. To solve this issue, you need to reseal the gaskets around these components. The sooner you do this, the better your engine will be in the long run.
In addition to this, the best way to maintain these gasket seals is to use manufacturer-spec oils. Heavier oils can cause your engine to leak faster, leading to a negative impact on your engine. It is important to maintain your engine parts to ensure their durability and to maintain their optimum performance.
Sometimes, servicing stations do not do proper priming on the engines after routine servicing. This will make your DD15 diesel engine develop starting problems soon after the PM service. It is important to go to a service station that has a Detroit-approved primer.
If your truck engine is not primed properly, it can experience starting problems, or no starts. This can damage vital components and subsystems in your engine. If you do not address this problem as soon as it occurs, it can lead to extensive damages which will cost a lot of time and money to repair. Truck downtime can lead to loss of money or even total engine loss.
Detroit does not recommend the use of starter fluid with its engines.
The Detroit DD15 diesel engine does not have an ordinary crankcase breather, which regulates the pressure in the crankcase. It cleans the discharged blow-by gases, which pass into the blow-by gas inlet in the crankcase breather housing. It is a component that is prone to a myriad of issues and frequent damage. It is a vital part of the engine and if any problems arise with it, it is important to address them as soon as possible.
The Detroit DD15 diesel engine is an asset to any trucker or construction company. As long as you have this engine, you need to know the most common issues about it and how to keep its durability. This information will help you avoid these Detroit diesel problems and will make you enjoy all the perks that come with the DD15 engine. Contact us for more information.
