How to Protect Today’s Diesel Engines Before Breakdown

Dec 22

Modern Diesel Engines Are Smarter — and More Fragile Than Ever

Diesel technology has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Today’s engines are cleaner, more efficient, and more powerful than ever before — but that progress has come with tradeoffs. With tighter emissions standards, complex fuel systems, and components like DPFs, EGRs, turbos, and high-pressure injectors, modern diesel engines are also far more sensitive to fuel quality and maintenance habits.

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Garth Redifer, Vice President of Sales at Power Service, to break down what’s really happening inside today’s diesel engines — and why many operators don’t realize the damage being done until warning lights turn into downtime.

Based in Weatherford, Texas, Power Service is a third-generation, veteran-owned diesel additive manufacturer. Garth brings 17 years of hands-on diesel technology experience, including direct involvement in injector cleaning innovations and DPF flush solutions. His insight comes not from theory, but from years of seeing where engines fail in the real world.

Why Modern Diesel Engines Struggle More Than Older Iron

Today’s diesel engines run hotter, cleaner, and under much tighter tolerances. That makes them efficient — but also unforgiving.

In the episode, Garth explains why modern systems are more prone to:

Injector deposits that disrupt spray patterns and combustion
Excessive DPF regens that burn fuel without moving iron
Power loss tied to restricted airflow and fuel delivery
Turbo and EGR issues caused by soot and incomplete combustion

What used to be “run it hard and change the oil” is no longer enough. Fuel quality, combustion efficiency, and cleanliness across the entire system matter more now than ever.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Fuel System

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is how interconnected today’s diesel systems are.

A problem that starts in the fuel tank doesn’t stay there.

Garth walks through what’s happening inside:

High-pressure injectors, where deposits can form quickly and disrupt atomization
Turbos and EGR systems, where soot and inefficiency compound
DPFs, which are forced into frequent regens when combustion isn’t clean

Every extra regen costs fuel, adds heat stress, and shortens component life — even if the engine never throws a fault code.

Why Excessive DPF Regens Are Costing You More Than You Think

Many operators accept frequent regens as “just part of modern diesel.” According to Garth, that mindset is expensive.

Excessive DPF regens:

Burn additional fuel with no productivity gain
Increase engine heat and component stress
Accelerate wear on emissions systems
Signal incomplete combustion upstream

In short, regens are a symptom — not the root problem.

How One-Tank Treatment Can Clean the Entire System

Not all diesel additives are created equal. Garth breaks down the difference between “band-aid” products and science-backed solutions designed to address root causes.

The discussion dives into how a properly formulated, one-tank diesel treatment can:

Clean injectors while the engine runs
Improve combustion efficiency
Reduce soot formation before it reaches the DPF
Support the entire fuel and emissions system — not just one component

This isn’t about masking problems. It’s about preventing them.

What REGENEXTEND™ Technology Does Differently

One of the standout topics in this episode is Power Service’s REGENEXTEND™ technology.

Garth explains how this approach focuses on cleaner combustion, allowing:

Up to 50% reduction in regen frequency
Less fuel wasted on regens
Lower exhaust temperatures
Longer life for DPFs and related components

For farmers, truckers, logging crews, and fleets alike, fewer regens mean more uptime and lower operating costs.

Preventive Maintenance Beats Warning Lights Every Time

Waiting for a dashboard light or limp-mode event is one of the most expensive maintenance strategies in modern diesel ownership.

This episode reinforces why:

Preventive fuel system care is cheaper than injector replacement
Small efficiency losses compound into major costs over time
Clean combustion protects every downstream component

Whether you’re running a pickup, tractor, combine, semi, or an entire fleet, the takeaway is simple: modern diesel engines demand modern maintenance thinking.

Real-World Insight From Across North America

Beyond theory, Garth shares stories from working directly with:

Farmers and ag operators
Long-haul truckers
Logging crews
Commercial and municipal fleets

Across all of them, the patterns are the same: fuel quality matters, combustion cleanliness matters, and proactive care keeps engines working — not waiting.

Listen to the Full Episode

If you want a clearer understanding of how today’s diesel engines actually work — and how to protect performance, extend engine life, and keep more money in your pocket — this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Farm4Profit Podcast — Diesel Technology, DPFs & Modern Engine Protection
👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/farm4profit-podcast/id1470546918