Cottondale Diesel Repair

10/11/2026

It’s been a long time since we last posted. I figured I'd drop in and let people know we are still here, working hard every day. We normally stay about a month out. We quit posting thinking it would give me a chance to get caught up... boy, was I wrong!!!!! We have been busier than ever, and referrals are nonstop. We are seeing a higher demand for engines recently; we currently have 3 in-house builds in progress. Here is a 2014 L86 6.2 we repaired for a customer and just finished up. We had to install a new crank because the original was damaged (not by us). Brand new GM crankshaft and bearings, and it’s good to go. If you are looking to have an engine built, we can definitely help. We will build any diesel long block and most V8 gas long block. We do not offer installation on gas engines; we will install any Powerstroke or Cummins engines. We are starting to move away from Duramax, and in the future we will be more selective about which Duramax we take. It’s not a platform we like to work on. They are very complicated, and parts are not nearly as available as on other platforms. We will build long blocks for them on request, but we won't install them.

06/29/2026

I would like to update my customer, as many of you may have experienced difficulties reaching me over the weekend due to a phone issue. I have acquired a new device, but unfortunately, my previous phone was not backed up, resulting in the loss of all contacts. If you sent me a message after Saturday, I have not received it. Could you please take a moment to send me a text with your name so I can update my records and ensure I have everyone's contact information saved. Sorry for the inconvenience

04/13/2026

Over the weekend, one of our valued customers generously devoted time from his weekend to weld a flatbed onto one of our shop trucks, demonstrating exceptional workmanship and efficiency as a fellow small business owner. He will return this weekend to repair several structural poles in our newly acquired facility, which marks a significant milestone as our first owned property, holding great sentimental value for me as it represents the culmination of hard work and perseverance. I am deeply grateful for the progress we have made and encourage you to support another small business owner based in Wise County if you require any welding services. Our shop truck will be sent out to a couple of local businesses for repainting of the roof and front fender, as well as installation of a new set of tires. We will continue to support the small businesses that support us.

04/09/2026

Another unit completed and ready for delivery!!! A customer contacted us to install a Banks Monster Ram on his 2012 Ram to prevent the well-known grid heater failure. During the installation, we also discovered that the unit was missing a throttle delete, so we took the initiative to include it at no additional cost. Furthermore, the vehicle had a power steering leak, which we diagnosed using dye and determined was originating from the front seal on the pump. We replaced the power steering pump, and the truck is now ready for pickup. I am diligently working to get back on schedule, as I have several larger projects currently underway. We anticipate returning to our regular schedule early next week!!

04/08/2026

Earlier this week, I successfully completed a repair on a New Holland c227 loader. The customer initially reported that the fan was making contact with the radiator. Upon further inspection, I discovered that the fan blades had lost pitch and damaged the radiator. Additionally, I observed that the belts were beginning to fray. While addressing these issues, the customer elected to replace the serpentine belt and AC belt. During the belt removal process, I also identified a faulty bearing in the water pump, whereas all other pulleys were in good condition. The necessary repairs, including the replacement of the water pump, belts, fan assembly, and radiator, have been completed, and the loader is now ready for service.

04/03/2026

Today, we performed a routine service on an LML Duramax. I had previously completed a head job on this unit last year, during which I recommended replacing several wear items known to fail. The customer invested significantly in these repairs. Over the past year, the truck has accumulated approximately 20,000 miles without experiencing any downtime or requiring a return visit to the shop, aside from a couple of fuel injector return oring leaks that were addressed during routine oil changes. During the oil change, we collected an oil sample for analysis to assess the engine's health and provide the customer with peace of mind through data-driven insights into potential future failures. By doing so, we can proactively address any issues, rather than reacting to unexpected repairs.

04/02/2026

It has been a busy couple of weeks, with our shop fully loaded and necessitating long working hours to catch up. The steady influx of calls and constant truck movement is undoubtedly a positive problem to have. Today, we are releasing a 2003 6.0 Powerstroke. A customer had been informed by another shop that injector replacement was necessary, and they provided a quote. The customer sought a second opinion and brought the vehicle to us. The initial quote from the previous shop included stock remanufactured injectors, but the customer desired upgraded performance. We contacted our suppliers and secured a set of Warren Diesel 175cc injectors with stock nozzles at the same price. Additionally, we included a new set of ball tubes from PPE. As a standard practice, we replace ball tubes and stand pipes when installing new injectors to prevent potential future issues. Since this truck is a 2003 model, it only features ball tubes. The vehicle is now operational, equipped with new tune files from Blessed Performance. As a 6L specialist, I must admit to feeling slightly envious after test-driving the truck. I intend to order the same set of injectors for our shop truck soon.

03/20/2026

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at our shop. We have been experiencing an exceptionally high call volume lately, with numerous requests for new work. We are doing our best to keep up with the demand. Notably, we have seen a significant increase in requests for T&D services over the past couple of weeks. This surge appears to be driven by the rising fuel prices, as customers and business owners are becoming increasingly frustrated with poor mileage and hesitant to invest in repairing systems that are likely to fail again. Recently, we have seen a substantial influx of medium-duty trucks. For instance, we recently completed work on an F-650 with a 6.7 Powerstroke engine, resulting in a remarkable improvement in fuel efficiency, from 7.6 miles per gallon to 12.6 miles per gallon. This enhancement has had a profoundly positive impact on the customer’s bottom line, with the driver now able to go two days without refueling, compared to daily fill-ups previously. Today, we completed work on a Ram 5500 cab chassis, aimed at improving fuel mileage and minimizing downtime due to DPF issues. If you are considering T&D services for your truck, now is an opportune time to do so, as rising fuel prices can significantly erode your profits. We offer T&D services for Ford and Cummins engines up to 2026, without the need for ECM swaps, provided no horsepower modifications are made.

03/20/2026

02/26/2026

She’s ready to go. A brand new OEM long block has been installed. This truck arrived at the shop Tuesday at noon and is now ready to return to service. I had initially anticipated completing this project by 5pm. Unfortunately, I encountered a parts delay and had to procure additional seals. I extended my work hours this evening to complete the task and get back on schedule. This is definitely one of the fast engines installs that has ever came out of this shop. We are on a roll this month