Improving Your Automobile

Indicators that your Diesel Fuel Injection Pump is Malfunctioning

22 October 2015

Addison Morris

If you have a vehicle with an engine that is powered by a diesel pump, it's important to maintain it in top working shape. Below are a few symptoms of a poorly functioning diesel service system. Take your car for repair immediately after you notice any of the below-mentioned symptoms:

1. High-pitched sound

Typically, turbocharged vehicles make some amount of noise, usually low and unnoticeable. The sound is produced as the compressor within the turbocharger unit speeds up, which occurs on acceleration.

However, if the sound grows louder and high-pitched or changes in any way, it could be a symptom of a malfunction in the diesel fuel injection system and should be checked out. Possible causes of high-pitched whining in diesel pump systems include split hoses, damaged compressor wheels, vacuum/boost/air leaks in the engine intake or the intercooler or over-boosting due to faulty waste-gates.

2. Low fuel pressure

The fuel pressure is one of the most critical pointers to the state of your diesel pump system. If you notice your vehicle stalling or hesitating before starting even when the car switch is on and fully functional, you could be having a low fuel pressure problem.

A qualified technician can confirm this by hooking up the pump to a gauge and measuring fuel pressure when the key is on, and then again while the engine is running. These measurements can then be compared with the manufacturer's specifications for that particular vehicle type. 

3. Inability to accelerate

If your vehicle sputters as you attempt to accelerate just after starting the car, your diesel service system could be faulty. You will typically notice that the vehicle moves at first, then starts jerking around and making noises before going on to accelerate as normal.

This is because during acceleration, the engine demands usually increases fuel. If the diesel pump isn't working properly, it will not be able to deliver the required fuel steadily, resulting in an improper mix of fuel and air. This in turn results in a loss of power that leads to the sputtering and jerking.

4. The engine does not start

This is the most severe symptom, which typically results when a driver ignores all the other symptoms listed above. If the vehicle refuses to start because of a fuel injection system malfunction, you'll notice that the engine revs, but it refuses to catch.

At this point, the fuel pump does not deliver any fuel to the engine when the car is ignited. Because there isn't any fuel to burn, the engine then fails to start. Diesel pump malfunctions can be diagnosed by looking at the fuel line pressure (it should read 0) or looking out for a blown fuse.

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, take your car into an auto shop, such as B & M Fuel Injection Pty Ltd, that specialises in diesel vehicles. 

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