Modern diesel engines feature common rail fuel injection systems. While these offer increased precision, they operate at very high pressure. Hence if any dust, dirt or water finds its way into the system, it can cause significant damage.
“Because such fine amounts of fuel are being injected through a common rail system at very high pressure, if contaminants get into the system they can cause thousands of dollars worth of repairs,” says Motospecs Category Manager, Ben Lavis.
It’s surprising how easy it is for small particles to enter a diesel engine’s fuel injection system. Off road situations, as well as mining and rural locations are some of the more obvious instances where dust, dirt or water might find its way into the fuel injection system, but it does happen as a result of ordinary metropolitan driving or filling up with contaminated fuel.
“It’s not often that you’ll pick up bad diesel fuel, but it does happen, surprisingly,” says Ben. “Particularly if you buy fuel when the service station’s tanks are almost empty, there is a chance the fuel could include water particles that have built up as a result of condensation on the tank. It’s the same in fleet or mining situations where fuel is stored on site where it harbours moisture.”
Even the smallest amount of water in the fuel injection system can result in the need for a complete re-build – a costly and inconvenient exercise