Diesel engines are no longer only found in farm equipment and rudimentary workhorses, thanks to advances in technology this fuel now offers a rewarding driving experience along with the benefits of being more efficient.
Diesel engines are no longer only found in farm equipment and rudimentary workhorses, thanks to advances in technology this fuel now offers a rewarding driving experience along with the benefits of being more efficient.
Going for the diesel vehicle option was initially a way of buying cheaper fuel but has now spawned a generation of motorists that love diesel for the power delivery made especially attractive with the rise in the use of turbocharging. Their popularity with manufacturers, especially in the SUV and bakkie segment, where everyone wants the torque of a diesel is at an all time high, just have a look at the special edition bakkie test elsewhere in this magazine, all those vehicles are diesel powered.
Diesel technology, like many other technical sectors, is constantly evolving. Emission controls have become increasingly important, fuel quality has improved and engines have been revolutionised. The best indicator of this is common rail pressures that have increased from 1350 bar in the early to mid 2000’s, to more than 2400 bar today. No longer can these vehicles be kept running with a box of tools, these complicated systems need complicated tools to maintain them.
The primary difference in quality engine maintenance lies within the facilities and diagnostic equipment available. Only specialist facilities have clean rooms where injectors, the heart of any diesel engine are finely calibrated. Add expertise in brands such as Bosch, Denso, Delphi, Hartridge, Stanadyne, Yanmar and Zexel, combine these brands with professional technicians specialising in fuel injection and related services and it soon becomes apparent why going to experts reaps dividends.
The complexity of the diesel fuel injection system has moved from the pumps to the injectors. Workshops like Adco have invested heavily in skills and expertise that enable them to properly repair and refurbish the components of a diesel fuel injection system and offer the customer a cost effective solution. 95 percent of the components are repairable thanks to the specialist tooling. Injectors for example which have a life of around 200 000km are completely stripped down, inspected and then all the wear parts are replaced before it is tested to ensure that it is once again within the manufacturers specifications. A refurbishment like this will cost the third of a new replacement part and is said to offer the same lifespan as a new part.
Diesel pumps of all shapes and sizes too can be completely rebuilt, with all the moving parts, camshafts and seals replaced and then retested on one of the highly sophisticated machines, the pump is good to go for many thousands of kilometres.
It is crucial that motorists opting for diesel power understand that components and not just fuel are consumables. Crucial parts have service intervals and pumps and injectors should be removed, cleaned and calibrated so that the possibility of breakages and replacements is avoided.
One of the fundamentals to reducing emissions, reduced engine wear and improved reliability has been the evolution of fuel. Sulphur is a lubricant used in diesel fuel and is vital to lubricating engine components. The reduction of sulphur in fuel has meant the addition of other additives to replace it.
With systems running at 2400 bar, the tolerances involved are measured in microns. Any contamination infiltrating the system has the potential to cause significant or even irreparable damage.
Injectors have different spray patterns and angles that are all engine dependant, the fuel sprays from the injector into a bowl located at the top of your engines pistons. Incorrect heights and timing of this spray can cause the emission of either white or black smoke from the engine. Diesel that is not completely burnt can then run down the side of the piston, wash the engine oil away and result, ultimately in ring and sleeve damage.
Smoke belching from an exhaust regardless whether it is white or black, should be regarded as a warning sign of serious things to come. Immediate action by specialists can avoid major damage and large repair bills.
Diesel engines are reliable and capable of powering a vehicle for hundreds of thousands and even millions of kilometres. Like most systems however they require repair and maintenance, cutting corners and costs by not consulting specialists can end up being prohibitively expensive.
Text: Reuben van Niekerk