Diesel guides
Long-form guides written by a working mechanic. No fluff, no copied spec sheets.
Will Red Diesel Dye Stain Your Fuel System Permanently?
Red diesel dye does not permanently stain a metal fuel tank or damage your engine, but it does linger in filters, lines and dead legs long after you switch back to clear fuel. Here is where it hides, how inspectors find it, and how to clear it properly.
Red Dyed Diesel Waiver Explained: What Pickup Owners Can and Cannot Do
The IRS paused federal penalties on dyed diesel for highway use from October 1 to December 31, 2026. Here is what that waiver actually covers, what it leaves untouched, and why Canadian pickup owners get nothing from it.
Diesel at $9 a Gallon: Should You Still Drive Your Truck?
Diesel is sitting near $2.68 a litre in Canada right now, which works out to more than $10 a US gallon at the pump. Mike Turner runs the honest math on whether your diesel pickup still earns its keep.
Cummins Generations Explained: 12 Valve to 6.7L, and Which One to Buy
From the 1989 12 valve to the modern 6.7L, every Cummins generation has a personality, a weak spot, and a price. A Red Seal mechanic breaks down which ones to hunt for and which to walk away from in Canada.
Is Doc's Diesel Any Good? A Mechanic Looks Past the Ads
Who makes Doc's Diesel filters, where are they made, and should you trust them? A Red Seal diesel mechanic separates the brand story from the facts for Canadian truck owners.
DEF Fluid Explained: What It Is, What It Costs, and What Goes Wrong
Diesel exhaust fluid is the second fuel your truck drinks, and most owners know almost nothing about it. A Red Seal mechanic explains what DEF is, how much a 6.7 uses, what it costs in Canada, and the mistakes that trigger quality sensor codes.
6.7 Powerstroke Delete Kit: What Owners Should Know First
Thinking about a delete kit for your 6.7 Powerstroke? A Red Seal diesel mechanic explains what the kit removes, what the law says in Canada and the US, and the legal fixes that actually work.
2014 Ram EcoDiesel Delete Kit: What You Should Know First
Thinking about a delete kit for your 2014 Ram EcoDiesel? A Red Seal diesel mechanic explains why owners of this truck ask, what the kit does, what Canadian law says, and the legal fixes that actually work.
6.7 Cummins EGR Delete Kits: What Mechanics Actually Say
Thinking about an EGR delete kit for your 6.7 Cummins? A Red Seal diesel mechanic explains why owners want one, what the law says, and what to do instead when the EGR cooler fails.
Doc's Diesel Filters vs OEM: Honest Review from the Shop
Are Doc's Diesel filters any good? A Red Seal diesel mechanic reviews the kits, the prices, the micron claims, and the forum complaints, with the straight answer for Canadian truck owners.
High Mileage Diesel Buying Guide: What 300,000 KM Really Means
Is 300,000 km too much for a diesel truck? A Red Seal mechanic explains which engines handle it, what actually wears out, and how to inspect a high mileage diesel before you buy.
6.7 Powerstroke Turbo Actuator Symptoms: Diagnose It Before You Pay for a Turbo
6.7 Powerstroke turbo actuator symptoms include power loss, limp mode, and codes P0299 and P2262. Mike Turner explains how to tell a bad actuator from a dead turbo, and what the job costs in Canada.
Is an Intercooler Upgrade Worth It on a Stock Truck
A Red Seal diesel mechanic gives the honest answer on aftermarket intercoolers for stock diesel trucks: when they help, when they are a waste of money, and what to check before you spend a dollar.
Aisin vs 68RFE: Which Ram Transmission Should You Want
A Red Seal diesel mechanic compares the Aisin AS69RC and Chrysler 68RFE transmissions in Ram Cummins trucks: strength, reliability, service costs, and which one fits your towing life.
Allison 10 Speed Reliability: The Honest Report
The 10 speed behind the 2020 and newer Duramax wears the Allison badge, but GM builds it. Recalls, valve body failures, and fourteen years of shop experience tell the real reliability story.
How to Inspect a Used Diesel Truck Before You Buy: A Mechanic's Checklist
A Red Seal diesel mechanic shares the exact checklist he uses to inspect used diesel trucks in Canada: cold start, blow by, rust, fuel system, and the walk away signs most buyers miss.
LBZ Duramax: Why Mechanics Call It the Best Duramax Ever Made
The 2006 and early 2007 LBZ Duramax is the engine GM owners chase. Fourteen years in the shop taught me exactly why it earned that name, and what to check before you buy one.
Best Used Diesel Trucks to Buy in Canada Right Now
Shopping for a used diesel truck in Canada? A Red Seal mechanic ranks the five used diesels worth your money right now, what to pay, and the rust and emissions traps that catch buyers.
6.7 Cummins vs 6.7 Powerstroke for Towing — Which Pulls Better
I work on both every week. Here is how the Cummins and the Powerstroke compare when there is real weight behind the truck, not just brochure numbers.
Diesel Fuel Filters: OEM vs Aftermarket, Honest Take
Is the dealer fuel filter worth twice the price? A working mechanic compares OEM and aftermarket diesel fuel filters on filtration, price, and what actually matters.
How a Diesel Truck Engine Works (Plain Language)
No engineering degree needed. Here is how your diesel engine turns fuel into pulling power, explained the way I explain it to apprentices.
V Nose Trailer Tongue Tool Boxes, Worth It?
That dead space on your trailer tongue can hold straps, jacks, and tools in a locked box. Here is when it is worth it and what to buy.
Emissions Intact Tuning Explained: Power Without the Legal Risk
You can get more power from your diesel without touching the emissions equipment. Here is how emissions intact tuning works and what to look for.
Why Diesel Trucks Cost More Now: Tariffs and Prices Explained
A 25 percent US tariff on imported medium and heavy duty trucks took effect in November 2025 and is still in place. Here is what it did to new truck prices and why the used market is on fire.
Diesel Heaters for Trucks, Espar vs Webasto vs Chinese Knockoffs
Espar, Webasto, or a cheap Chinese 5kW heater? An honest breakdown of what each one gets you, including the safety stuff nobody talks about.
EcoDiesel EGR Cooler Settlement: What Owners Should Do
A class action settlement covers defective EGR coolers in 2014 to 2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels. Here is who qualifies and what to do next.
Diesel Emissions Settlements Explained: What Owners Are Owed
Mercedes agreed to pay 149.7 million dollars over diesel emissions cheating. Owners of 2008 to 2016 BlueTEC models may be owed 2,000 dollars. Here is who qualifies and how to claim.
Truck Floor Mats Compared, TuxMat vs WeatherTech vs the Rest
TuxMat, WeatherTech, Husky, and 3D MAXpider compared by someone who has pulled all of them out of muddy work trucks. Real pick inside.
3.0 EcoDiesel Reliability: The Honest Breakdown
The 3.0 EcoDiesel has a rough reputation from its early years. Here is what actually goes wrong, which years to trust, and how to keep one alive.
Mini Maxx Tuner Explained: What It Was and Why It Is Gone
The Mini Maxx was the most popular diesel tuner of its era. Here is what it did, why H&S Performance was shut down by the EPA, and what that means for owners today.
Best Diesel Vehicles Under $50000 in Canada
New diesel options under fifty grand in Canada are nearly gone. Here is what is actually worth buying, mostly used, from a mechanic who sees these trucks every day.
Winter Diesel Survival Guide for Canada
Minus 30 starts, fuel gelling, block heaters, and winter maintenance: everything your diesel needs to survive a Canadian winter.
Diesel vs Gas Truck: The Honest Comparison
Should you buy diesel or gas? Towing, fuel costs, maintenance, and longevity compared by someone who fixes both.
Duramax L5P Problems — What Owners Actually Deal With
The L5P Duramax is GM's best diesel yet, but it has its quirks. A mechanic breaks down the real failure points.
What Is a DPF Delete? (And Why It Is Illegal)
People ask about DPF deletes every week. Here is what it actually means, what it costs, and why no reputable shop will do it.
6.7 Powerstroke Problems — The Honest List
What actually goes wrong with the 6.7 Powerstroke? A working mechanic ranks the real problems by how often he sees them.
6.7 Cummins Reliability — What Breaks and What Does Not
Fourteen years working on 6.7 Cummins engines. Here is my honest take on what actually goes wrong and why this engine earned its reputation.