Diesel injection pump failure can be a traumatic and very expensive experience for any diesel vehicle owner. It reduces not only the performance and mileage of your diesel car but also causes breakdowns, which are very costly and can take a long time to fix. You can reduce the rate your diesel injection pump falls into fault if you have a good understanding of its working principles and preventive measures.
In this article, we will look at the common causes of diesel injection pump failures, how to prevent failures, and the best tips for troubleshooting problems. Our guidelines will help you to not only prolong the life of the pump but also guarantee its exceptional performance.
Understanding Diesel Injection Pump
The diesel injection pump plays a critical role in the operation of the diesel fuel injection system. It pressurizes the fuel and sends it to the injector. The diesel injection pump governs the fuel flow rate, allowing for the best performance and the most efficient fuel economy. It controls the intake of diesel fuel and time of ignition, thereby enabling efficient combustion and better power creation. In other words, the diesel injection pump is important because it regulates the accurate delivery of fuel to the engine, hence making the diesel engine perform at its best.
The Role of a Diesel Injection Pump
Diesel fuel injection pump is the heart of the fuel injection system. It transmits diesel fuel into the engine by pressurizing the fuel, meaning that the diesel fuel will be able to flow into the injectors at the right pressure and time. A faulty injection pump will not deliver fuel properly, dropping the performance and the fuel economy of the engine.
Put it this way, with a faulty injector pump, your diesel engine won’t operate at an optimized efficiency but yet will burn an unreasonable amount of diesel fuel. In brief, the diesel fuel injection pump is a key component of the diesel power train when it comes to reliability and efficiency.
How Does a Diesel Injection Pump Work?
The diesel pump injector works by pressurizing diesel fuel and feeding it to the fuel injection nozzles, the injection nozzle in turn pushes the diesel fuel into the combustion chamber. It uses a proper calibration process to get the right amount of fuel injected at the right time. The diesel engine uses fuel injection systems ( i.e. common rail, rotary, and inline pumps, depending on the engine’s design) to deliver fuel into the diesel engine.
Also, the injection pump for diesel normally works with turbo chargers, which increases the airflow in the engine. Hence, the performance and fuel economy are improved. Finally, the diesel fuel injection pump will provide the fuel to the diesel injectors with the exact amount and timing, which will then optimize the engine’s performance.
Common Cause of Diesel Injection Pump Failure
While the injection pumps are made from sturdy materials, some imperative factors may cause its failure. Having a grasp of these basic causes can help you take preventive steps to keep away from pump failure and the headache that comes with it.
1. Dirty diesel fuel and its impact
Dirty fuel is like a parasite to your diesel injection pump. A complete no-no. When dirt or sand is present in your diesel fuel, it could block the fuel injector and affect the whole operation of the pump. The impurities in the fuel might hinder the engines’ smooth operation, increasing the pump’s loss of efficiency and thereby increasing the wear and tear of mechanical parts.
Also, this clogged injector nozzle can lead to incomplete atomization and combustion of fuel. To avoid pump failure, more and more attention should be paid to the use of clean and high-quality diesel fuel, because it sustains a high performance and reduces the risk of damage.
2. Excessive Idling on diesel to injection pump
Excessive idling can also lead to fuel injector failure. During the idling of a diesel engine, RPMs are quite slow, leading to incomplete fuel combustion. Consequently, the fuel that has not burned up accumulates both in the injectors and the fuel delivery system, resulting in the blockage of the pump and affecting its performance.
Moreover, this idling may cause extra strain on the turbocharger. Idling time should be minimized and the engine should run at higher RPMs in order to allow for proper combustion of fuel and adequate turbocharger performance.
3. Infrequent fuel filter replacement
Another reason why your injection pump might get on the fritz is when you hardly replace your fuel filter. Fuel filters separate out contaminants from the diesel fuel as they enter the injection pump and injectors. Over time, this filter gathers dirt enough to clog it up. This prevents the fuel from properly flowing even when the diesel injection pump works really hard. This added strain on the diesel injection pump may result in the pump failure and even damage other fuel system components. To protect the injection pump, it is a must to replace fuel filters regularly and according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Preventive Measures for Diesel Injection Pump Failure
The prevention of diesel injector failures begins with a proactive attitude and following the due maintenance processes. The application of preventive measures detailed here will significantly reduce the chances of pump failure and ensure that your diesel engine operates at a peak level.
1. Use clean diesel fuel
Proper functioning of the diesel injection pump hinges on the use of clean and high-quality diesel fuel. Clean fuel is free from contaminants, so there’s zero likelihood of depositing any in the injector.
2. Changing the fuel filter frequently
The frequent change of the diesel fuel filter is not a choice. Rather, it is a necessity. It is something you just can’t neglect. That’s a good way to ensure the absence of contaminant buildup and the safety of your pump. It ensures that the diesel injection supply system works at its best efficiency.
3. Reduce the idling time of your car
The third preventative measure is to reduce the amount of your vehicle’s idle time in order to safeguard the diesel injection pump. By managing the amount of time spent idling, you relieve stress on both fuel consumption, engine wear, and injection pump. With higher RPMs, fuel combustion is improved, and therefore less fuel is left unburnt. This only means clogging of the fuel system by unburnt fuel won’t be a problem anymore. This implies the improved fuel economy and performance of the engine.
Identifying Common Diesel Injector Pump Issues
The main issues that are faced with the diesel injector pumps are in the form of fuel delivery problems, fuel calibration problems, and fuel system leakages. Multiple problems such as nozzle wear, faulty diesel fuel injectors, or issues in the injection system component may cause the pump to fail if not handled or repaired within time. By checking out fuel consumption, and looking out for any abnormal sounds or fuel leaks can help you diagnose the diesel injector pump issues early. You can save costs and shorten downtime by seeking help from a professional for injector replacement, injection pump repair, or fuel system service.
The Cost of Ignoring Diesel Injection Pump Maintenance
Diesel injection pumps, especially in heavy-duty vehicles, require maintenance. When that is overlooked, you will incur additional costs in the long run.
Let’s explain better.
The cost of a diesel injection pump repair job, in most situations, is so much higher than the cost of regular maintenance. If you are in the habit of overlooking your pump’s fault, get ready to spend more on the replacement of your fuel injection pumps or other performance parts. That exacerbates the average cost for repair even further.
Why Should You Consider Investing in High-Quality Diesel Injection Pumps?
High-quality diesel injection pumps, high calibration, and quality performance parts are the factors that make fuel consumed more efficiently and cause a substantially higher power output. They are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of diesel engines. The performance of the injection system will be notably enhanced, and a boost in the turbocharger will be obtained. Investing in high-quality diesel injection pumps is a sure way to prevent issues such as frequent pump failures, injector problems, and fuel system breakdowns. The efficient fuel delivery of high-grade diesel injection pumps guarantees the best possible diesel engine performance, fuel consumption, and engine life, making them a valuable investment for those looking to maximize their vehicle’s pulling power.
Conclusion
Being proactive in preventing diesel injection pump failure is important for your vehicle to have a smooth operation and a long life. Thoroughly cleaning the fuel system, frequently replacing old filters, and more importantly, limiting the engine idling prevents fuel pump failures. Failure to take maintenance and repair into account will make future repairs and rebuilds costly. Investing in high-quality diesel injection pumps is paramount because they give out optimum performance and durability, and they are reliable. If there are any questions including unique pricing with your diesel injection pump, you can contact our team of experts.
