Do Diesel Engines Last Longer?

One question we get asked occasionally is this: do diesel engines last longer? Of course the short answer to this question is yes, diesel engines do tend to last longer than gas engines, and oftentimes they last much longer. But how long do they last exactly? Why do they last as long as they do? In this article, we'll explain how long diesel engines can last, as well as why they last so much longer than most gas-powered engines.

How Long Do Diesels Last?

The lifespan of a diesel engine can vary depending on the model, the application it is being used in, when it was built, what manufacturer it was built by, how well the engine is regularly maintained, where it is being operated, and other factors. However, one thing is for certain: diesel engines are built to last a long time. Do diesel engines last longer than gasoline engines? Yes, they certainly do.

The stories of diesel engines lasting over several hundred thousand miles are not exaggerated. Mercedes-Benz is known to have several vehicles which have continued to run after 900,000 miles, and there is one man who has had a Ford diesel last over 1 million miles. Not everyone's diesel engine is going to run for over 1 million miles, but with enough care and proper maintenance, these are the kind of upper-end figures you can expect from a diesel engine. If anything, your diesel will probably last you a good couple hundred thousand miles, which is a lot better than a lot of gasoline engines they're putting out these days.

Browse our 98.5-02 5.9L Cummins diesel engine parts and accessories.

Why Diesels Last So Long

Why exactly do diesel engines last longer? There are several reasons for this. First of all, diesel engines run on a compression process as opposed to relying on spark ignition. The compression process involves incredibly high pressures and temperatures, and the engine is required to be designed in such a way so as to withstand these forces. Diesel engines also put out a lot of torque. Diesel engines tend to be built stronger and feature more resilient design features to account for these characteristics.

The other reason that diesel engines last so long is that they tend to operate at lower speeds, so all of the moving parts such as piston rings, cylinder walls, bearings, valve trains, and other essential parts are not constantly rubbing together and creating all of the friction and wear and tear that takes its toll on standard gasoline engines.

High Compression

Still, why do diesel engines last longer? So far we still don't fully understand why the engine needs to be built to be so rugged and reliable. Of course you would think every engine should be built for maximum reliability, but the economics don't always work out that way. However diesel engines manage to be more rugged and reliable than their gasoline peers. Let's take a look at the compression process that necessitates this heavy duty engine construction.

Instead of using a spark to ignite the fuel, air is let into the engine which is compressed to extreme pressures. This compression leads to incredibly high temperatures within the engine, and so any diesel fuel within the engine is ignited in the process. This helps increase the reliability of a diesel engine, as there are no spark plugs or spark wires that require maintenance. It also necessitates that a diesel engine is built to withstand incredibly high pressures and temperatures, so the engine itself is built to last.

As an added bonus, diesel fuel tends to offer better lubrication than gasoline as well. Better fuel lubrication means the fuel is less harmful to the oil film on piston rings and cylinder bores, requiring less maintenance and replacing of worn parts.

See our inventory of 2003-2007 Cummins diesel engines here.

What to Do for Longevity

What is often said about diesel engines is that because they don't have spark ignitions, you don't have to worry about maintenance, though at the same time, you may hear that diesel engines are more complex, and can be more expensive to fix. So what exactly is going on? How do you keep your diesel running smoothly for as long as you can?

Diesel engines are definitely more sophisticated than gasoline engines, and if maintenance is required it may cost you more, but diesel engines also require much less maintenance on average due to their rugged design. This isn't to say you should slack on maintaining your diesel. You will achieve far greater longevity with the proper lubrication and routine maintenance. Routine maintenance means changing the oil and air, as well as regularly replacing the oil and fuel filters. Your vehicle may also have water separators that you should empty manually when required.

Modern diesel engines require even less maintenance to achieve greater mileage and are constantly being improved with better fuels, advanced filters, better catalytic converters, and other improved components.

Although we specialize in Cummins performance parts, we also offer Powerstroke diesel engines to enhance your Ford trucks.

Is it Worth It?

We've determined diesels last much longer, but are they truly worth the investment? A good diesel tends to be a little more expensive than a gasoline vehicle, and if you look at prices at a gas station, you'll often see that diesel fuel can sometimes cost a bit more (though often the opposite is true). However, any added costs will pay for themselves over time, as you start to see a major return on your investment.

First of all, a great diesel vehicle can often last you longer than two gasoline vehicles combined, depending on the vehicle types and circumstances. Additionally, diesel engines can convert fuel energy to mechanical energy with 45% efficiency, which is actually one of the highest energy efficiency values for an engine.Diesel fuel itself can achieve 25 to 30 percent better fuel economy than many gasoline engines, and the fuel itself can cost thirty to fifty percent lower per Kilowatt of energy, due to the high energy of the fuel and the efficiency of the engine.

Another benefit to keep in mind is that diesel vehicles hold their value due to their longevity, so the resale value will be much higher and you will be able to gain a greater return on your investment than with a gas vehicle.

All of those higher up-front costs are deceiving. Diesel vehicles save you money with efficient engines, energy-rich fuels, greater longevity, lower maintenance costs on average, and a higher resale value.

View all '07-'12 Cummins diesel engines and accessories.

Quality Parts Matter

Do diesel engines last longer right out of the factory? Of course, they do! But you can always improve a factory diesel engine and gain even more mileage and performance by investing in high-quality parts. High-quality parts improve everything from efficiency to cooling and durability, all of which contribute to a greater overall longevity of the engine.

As diesel enthusiasts ourselves, we highly recommend investing in your diesel by seeking out high-quality parts that are designed to get the most performance and longevity out of your diesel. Your engine is what you put into it, and if you use durable and high-grade parts that are designed well, you are going to reap the benefits from your investment.

Shop Today

CPP Diesel carries the top performance diesel parts on the market. Our high-quality parts are not only built for maximum power and performance across numerous applications, they are built to last just like the diesel engines they are part of.

Though the longevity of a diesel is the stuff of legend, there is no reason to simply sit back and let fate take care of your engine. You can achieve greater longevity by taking an active role in providing your engine with care and regular maintenance, as well as putting the best parts in your diesel engine that are available on the market.

Take a look at our selection; we're pretty sure you'll be able to find what you need fast. We work extra hard to ship out all of our orders as quickly as possible, so you can get them in your diesel engine right away. If you have any questions about parts, our inventory, or diesel engines and their longevity, in general, don't hesitate to call us at 724-785-4022. You can also drop us an email or send us a chat message and we'll get back to you with an answer as soon as possible. Shop for your premium diesel parts and increase the longevity of your engine today.