Fuel injectors and fuel pumps are two crucial parts of cars today. Both diesel components perform very different functions during the engine’s normal operating cycle despite having similar characteristics.
The fuel injection pump or fuel injector is the “heart” of a diesel engine and the most critical component in the fuel supply system. It increases the pressure of the diesel engine and regularly and quantitatively delivers fuel to the fuel chamber.
History of Fuel Injection
Fuel injection is not new. Since the beginning of the auto industry, it has been there, but it came to the mainstream in the 1980s. With time taking a turn, the engine management system combines all the functions of today, including ignition, fuel delivery, timing, and cooling, in a computer-operated technology, allowing the engine to develop maximum power with minimum fuel.
It is because of the fuel injection system that you can start the engine instantly during cold days. Without fuel injectors, we would still be setting choke and warming engines for several minutes and benching out more smoke & pollution.
What is the role of the injector?
Fuel injectors of diesel generators are an essential component in the fuel supply system of diesel engines to achieve fuel injection. Fuel injectors atomize the fuel into fine droplets according to the characteristics of the diesel engine mixture. Then, they inject it into the specific combustion chamber, as well. Fuel injectors also meet the spray characteristics of various types of combustion chambers.
Closed fuel injectors are heavily used in high-speed diesel generators and mainly comprise a fuel injector body and pressure regulating device. The fuel injection nozzle of closed injectors is a pair of precision parts containing needle valves and needle valve body. This nozzle has a matching clearance of is only 0.002～0.004mm. That’s why, after finishing, pairing and grinding still remain, but we can interchange them while using them.
Needle valve
Usually, the needle valve is made of high-speed steel with good thermal stability. On the other hand, the needle valve body is made of high-quality alloy steel with impact resistance.
According to the different structures of the fuel injector, the closed fuel injector can be divided into two types: the pin injector and the hole injector based on their usage in different types of combustion chambers.
The performance of fuel injectors plays a fundamental role in powering the engine. Due to poor fuel, the fuel injector doesn’t work well, causing heavy carbon deposits in the cylinder, as well as accelerated wear of the cylinder barrel & piston ring. It further results in unstable idle speed, increased fuel consumption, weak acceleration, difficulty in starting, and excessive emissions.
Oil nipples damage the engine. Therefore, regular cleaning of the fuel injection nozzle is necessary. Long-term non-cleaning or frequent cleaning of the nozzle will cause it to fail or turn bad. In severe cases, it will completely block the injection. If that happens, visit Diesel Components Inc. straight away.
Important things you should know while buying fuel injection pumps
You must have realized the importance of fuel injectors or fuel injection pumps by now. But the question is, how to choose the right fuel injection pumps? It’s more important than people realize that the right pump will help your vehicle run smoothly for years to come.
Remember, only buy pumps that fit your vehicle perfectly. If the pressure and fuel flow are low, then performance and emission-related problems are likely to happen. Some manufacturers produce pumps that are compatible with various models and sizes and work under all driving conditions.
Functions of a Fuel Pump
Engine systems need a constant supply of fuel, which is produced via a fuel tank. Fuel is drawn from said fuel tanks and propelled into the internal combustion engine via fuel pumps.
Fuel pumps pump gasoline from the fuel tank to the engine. They’re also responsible for distributing fuel under low pressure to the fuel injection system (or the carburetor) under higher pressure. Carburetor engines utilize low-pressure pumps located outside the fuel tank. Typically, electric fuel pumps mounted in the fuel tank fully use fuel-injected engines.
You should also know that electric fuel pumps generate positive electrical pressure in fuel lines. They also drive fuel to the internal combustion engine. Further, an ignition switch activates a relay that manages the higher current necessary to increase fuel pressure.
Fuel Injector vs. Fuel Pump
- Size
Generally, fuel injectors are 3 to four inches long with a diameter of 1 to 2 inches. Comparatively, the in-the-tank fuel pumps are usually 5 to 7 inches long and four to five inches in diameter.
- Function
A fuel injector atomizes the pressurized fuel. It also injects it into the combustion chamber. In comparison, fuel pumps pressurize fuel and send it through the fuel line and fuel injectors.
- Effects
Fuel injectors decrease the pressure within fuel systems, and fuel pumps increase the pressure within the fuel system.
- Similarities
Both fuel injectors and fuel pumps operate through electricity from your vehicle’s electrical system.
- Cycle
The fuel pump comes on when the fuel pressure within the fuel lines drops below the prescribed level. Once it reaches that level, the fuel pump shuts off. A fuel injector’s function is to open it after receiving a pulse generated by the car’s computer. The measurement of cycle for this pulse is in milliseconds. And the on & off time cycle for a fuel pump is measured in seconds.
If your Fuel Injector is failing, Visit Diesel Components, Inc. for Diesel Fuel Injection Pump Repair
After knowing the functions and the importance of fuel injectors, we wouldn’t be wrong in saying that these decide the vehicle’s performance.
Diesel fuel injector testing is a crucial aspect of proper maintenance to assure peak engine performance. Fuel injector testing is essential for maximizing fuel economy and exhaust emission compliance & extending the longevity of other components that come in contact with engine exhaust. Also, Diesel fuel injector repair is one of the primary services that Diesel Components, Inc. is offering since its inception in 1977.
If you have Diesel fuel injector testing or Diesel fuel injector repair in mind, contact Diesel Components Inc. now.
