Diesel vehicles continue to increase their market share around the world, particularly in secondary and third world countries. The more global infrastructure improves, the more of a demand there is for dependable, light-duty and heavy-duty work vehicles. Diesel sales have skyrocketed since 2000 and are expected to continue to do so moving forward.

As diesel becomes more common, it has become increasingly important for mechanics to develop an understanding of important diesel systems. Plus, if you are a diesel owner yourself, it makes sense for you to at least have a basic knowledge of how the system operates, particularly the diesel fuel injectors.

With this in mind, here’s a quick overview of how heavy diesel fuel injection systems work in Corpus Christi, TX.

What you should know

The fuel injector is a small electrical part that is charged with spraying fuel directly into the intake manifold, which is located in front of the intake valve in a diesel engine. Fuel injectors for diesel engines can be rather complicated. There is a high micron filter on the injector on the top inlet side, which corresponds to a series of small, hypodermic-sized holes on the bottom for diesel fuel atomization. The fuel itself keeps the internal components of the injector properly lubricated.

The injector is most likely to begin experiencing symptoms of failure if water gets into the fuel. Water in the fuel will start to interfere with the lubricating properties, causing internal parts to wear down quickly and the injector as a whole to fail.

Given how important the injector is to the operation of a diesel engine, it is critical to keep it in good working condition. The injector valve opens and closes at approximately the same RPM as the diesel engine. The most common RPM for diesel engines made in North America is somewhere around 1800, which comes out to about 140,000 rotations per hour. That means the injector gets quite a workout, so good maintenance must be prioritized.

Water isn’t the only potential hazard to the health of a fuel injector. If there is a bad air cleaner element, it becomes possible for carbon or dirt particles to be introduced into the unit. In addition, low-quality fuel that is low-grade or has particular additives can result in a weakened life expectancy for the part.

The engine Ccntrol module (ECM) controls the fuel injectors in the majority of diesel engines. The injectors are constantly powered while the key is turned on, even if the engine hasn’t turned over. The ECM serves as a grounding point for the injector, closing off the circuit and prompting the nozzle on the injector to open up. After it collects information from other control sensors, the ECM can then determine how much time the injectors need to be grounded so they can inject the exact amount of fuel required given horsepower demands.

For more information about the operation of diesel fuel injection systems in Corpus Christi, TX and what you should know about diesel maintenance, contact Coastal Diesel Injection today.