The Most Reliable Diesel Engine Ever Made, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the diesel engine you think is the most reliable!

Updated on May 7, 2024 06:55

For anyone in the market for a vehicle featuring a diesel engine, knowing which engines are highly regarded for their reliability can be crucial. Distinguishing among the myriad options requires access to trustworthy information especially compiled from user experiences and expert insights. This site offers a dynamic list where reliability track records of various diesel engines are ranked based on real user votes and reviews. By participating in this community-driven ranking, users provide valuable insights that can guide potential buyers towards making informed decisions. Each vote helps to shape a clearer picture of the diesel engine landscape, ensuring that the list reflects current opinions and experiences. Check the rankings below to see how different engines stack up and cast your vote to share your experience with others.

What Is the Most Reliable Diesel Engine Ever Made?

1

91
votes
Cummins 6BT

Cummins

Cummins 6BT - often considered one of the most reliable diesel engines ever made due to its simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance.
The Cummins 6BT is a highly regarded diesel engine known for its exceptional reliability and durability. It has been widely used in various applications, including automotive, industrial, and marine. The engine's design and performance make it a favorite among truck and heavy-duty vehicle enthusiasts.

Engine Type: Inline 6-cylinder

Displacement: 5.9 liters

Cylinder Arrangement: In-line

Aspiration: Turbocharged

Fuel System: Direct Injection
2

43
votes
Mercedes-Benz OM617

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz OM617 - known for its longevity and reliability, with some engines lasting over 500,000 miles.
The Mercedes-Benz OM617 is a highly regarded diesel engine known for its reliability and longevity. It was introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1974 and remained in production until 1985. The engine was primarily used in the W123 and W126 series vehicles.

Engine Type: Inline 5-cylinder diesel engine

Displacement: 3.0 liters

Compression Ratio: 21:1

Power Output: 80 to 125 horsepower

Torque: 157 to 184 lb-ft
Mercedes-Benz OM617 in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable Mercedes-Benz engine
- Position 5 of 10 in Most reliable motor
3

25
votes
Isuzu 4BD1

Isuzu Motors Ltd

Isuzu 4BD1 is a highly durable engine known for its ruggedness and reliability, often used in industrial and commercial applications.
The Isuzu 4BD1 is a four-cylinder, direct injection, diesel engine that was introduced in the early 1980s. It is known for its exceptional reliability, longevity, and fuel efficiency. The engine was designed and manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd, a renowned Japanese automobile manufacturer with a long history of producing high-quality diesel engines.

Number of cylinders: 4

Fuel system: Direct injection

Aspiration: Naturally aspirated or turbocharged

Displacement: 3.9 L (3,856 cc)

Power output: 86-102 horsepower
4

12
votes
Toyota 1HZ

Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota 1HZ is a reliable and long-lasting engine, often used in Toyota Land Cruiser models.
The Toyota 1HZ is a four-stroke, six-cylinder, naturally aspirated diesel engine known for its exceptional reliability and durability. It was developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and has gained a reputation as one of the most reliable diesel engines ever made.

Engine Type: Four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engine

Aspiration: Naturally aspirated

Displacement: 4.2 liters

Power Output: 131 horsepower

Torque: 260 lb-ft
Toyota 1HZ in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable Land Cruiser engine
5

21
votes
Caterpillar 3116

Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar 3116 is a highly durable engine known for its reliability and long service life, often used in heavy-duty trucks and buses.
The Caterpillar 3116 is a highly regarded diesel engine known for its exceptional reliability and performance. It was developed by Caterpillar Inc., a renowned manufacturer of heavy machinery and engines.

Engine Type: Inline 6-cylinder

Displacement: 6.6 liters

Power Range: 185-300 horsepower

Fuel System: Direct injection

Aspiration: Turbocharged
Caterpillar 3116 in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most reliable Caterpillar engine
6

14
votes
Ford 7.3L Power Stroke

Ford Motor Company

Ford 7.3L Power Stroke is a highly reliable engine known for its durability and power, often used in heavy-duty trucks and vans.
The Ford 7.3L Power Stroke is a diesel engine produced by Ford Motor Company for its heavy-duty trucks. It is known for its reliability and durability, making it one of the most popular and respected diesel engines in the automotive industry.

Displacement: 7.3 liters (444 cubic inches)

Configuration: V8

Fuel Injection System: Direct Injection

Horsepower: 250-275 hp

Torque: 505-525 lb-ft
Ford 7.3L Power Stroke in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable Ford diesel engine
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable Ford truck engine
7

10
votes
Mangan02 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Volvo D13

Volvo Group Trucks Technology

Volvo D13 is a highly efficient and reliable engine used in heavy-duty trucks, known for its long service life and low emissions.
The Volvo D13 is a popular diesel engine developed and manufactured by Volvo Group Trucks Technology. It is commonly used in heavy-duty trucks, buses, and industrial applications. The Volvo D13 engine is known for its performance, fuel efficiency, and durability.

Engine Type: Inline 6-cylinder

Displacement: 12.8 liters

Power Output: 375-500 horsepower

Torque: 1450-1850 lb-ft

Compression Ratio: 17:1
Volvo D13 in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular diesel engine
- Position 8 of 10 in Most reliable engine for a motorhome
8

14
votes
Detroit Diesel Series 60

Detroit Diesel Corporation

Detroit Diesel Series 60 is a highly reliable engine used in heavy-duty trucks and buses, known for its durability and power.
The Detroit Diesel Series 60 is a heavy-duty inline-six diesel engine known for its durability and fuel efficiency. It is commonly used in various applications such as trucks, buses, and industrial equipment.

Displacement: 12.7 liters (775 cubic inches)

Cylinders: Inline-six

Power Range: 350-600 horsepower

Torque Range: 1,250-2,050 lb-ft

Compression Ratio: 17.0:1
Detroit Diesel Series 60 in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable Detroit engine
- Position 7 of 10 in Most reliable engine for a motorhome
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular diesel engine
9

10
votes
Mitsubishi 4D56

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi 4D56 is a reliable and efficient engine used in pickup trucks and SUVs, known for its durability and low maintenance requirements.
The Mitsubishi 4D56 is a highly regarded diesel engine known for its reliability and performance. It was created by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, a Japanese automotive manufacturer.

Engine type: In-line 4-cylinder, direct injection, turbocharged diesel engine

Displacement: 2.5 liters

Power output: Output varies based on the specific variant, ranging from approximately 74 to 107 horsepower

Torque: Varies depending on the version, with torque values ranging from about 140 to 200 lb-ft

Fuel efficiency: Known for its economical fuel consumption
10

7
votes
Yanmar 4JH series

Yanmar Co., Ltd.

Yanmar 4JH series is a highly reliable and efficient engine used in marine applications, known for its durability and low emissions.
The Yanmar 4JH series is a line of highly regarded diesel engines known for their reliability and performance in marine applications. These engines are designed and manufactured by Yanmar Co., Ltd., a Japanese company specializing in diesel engine production.

Number of cylinders: 4

Displacement: 1.995L - 3.119L

Power Output: 37.3hp - 110.3hp

Fuel Type: Diesel

Aspiration: Naturally aspirated or turbocharged

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Ranking factors for reliable diesel engine

Durability

A reliable diesel engine should be built to last, with components that can withstand the stresses of hard use over an extended period of time.
Fuel Efficiency

A reliable diesel engine should be fuel efficient, providing good mileage for the amount of fuel consumed.
Power and Performance

A reliable diesel engine should provide the power and performance required for the intended use, whether it be for towing, hauling, or other applications.
Maintenance Requirements

A reliable diesel engine should have reasonable maintenance requirements that are easy to perform and not too costly.
Repair Costs

A reliable diesel engine should have reasonable repair costs and replacement parts availability, making it easy to keep the engine running at optimal performance.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most reliable diesel engine ever made. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or engine is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

5247 views
233 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each engine once every 24 hours. The rank of each engine is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most reliable diesel engine ever made

Diesel engines have been around for over a century and have undergone significant advancements in technology. They are known for their efficiency and longevity, particularly in heavy-duty applications such as trucks, boats, and generators. However, not all diesel engines are created equal, and some have stood out as particularly reliable and durable over the years. In this article, we will explore the most reliable diesel engines ever made, taking a closer look at their design, performance, and reputation in the industry. Whether you are a diesel engine enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about these powerful machines, this article will provide valuable insights into the most dependable diesel engines on the market.