Dirt and dust in your fuel system can reduce engine life by 50%. These contaminants cause more than 85% of all failures in fuel systems.
Even tiny amounts of dirt and dust in your machine’s fuel system can become obstructions to the engine’s normal processes. Newer engines are even more susceptible to damage, because the fuel injection pressure is higher, and the smallest particles can impair normal engine functions.
Areas of Potential Damage
When dirt and dust are introduced to an area in the engine where quick, sliding movements are important, wear can be accelerated when these small particles interfere with the sliding movement. Examples of these parts are inner and outer valves, nozzle needles and seats, and command piston sliding portions. Two areas where dirt and dust can cause particularly harmful damage are at the interface between the injector barrel and plunger and on the control valves.
Interface between Injector Barrel and Plunger
The
amount of fluid required to keep the operation smooth and continuous
between the injector barrel and plunger is just 2.5 microns. The
introduction of dirt or dust into this area could cause significant
interference with this movement.
Control Valves
A decrease in engine
power occurs when the control valves, which maintain fuel pressure,
begin leaking. Such leaks are caused when contaminants wear away seals.
How to stop dirt and dust from entering the fuel line
Fueling
Properly maintain all fueling
equipment. When you refuel, always replace the nozzle back onto the
pump, rather than letting it fall on the ground where it could gather
dust.
Operation
Construction equipment often
operates in a dusty environment. You can prevent dust from entering the
fuel system by making sure the vent tube and fuel tank caps are tightly
sealed.
Service
While servicing your equipment,
minimize the possibility of exposing the engine to the air, which will
minimize the risk of introducing dirt and dust into the fuel system.
Whenever you change filters, refuel or make any type of engine repairs,
accomplish these tasks indoors, if possible, where there is less chance
of contamination.
Filters
Change filters promptly at the
manufacturer’s suggested intervals—clogged filters cannot prevent dirt
from circulating through your engine. Use filters that are approved by
the equipment manufacturer. Carefully follow the instructions provided
in your equipment operator’s manual when changing both the main filters
and the prefuel filters, so that dust does not enter the fuel system
during this process. Always check seals to detect possible leaks.
Tips for Changing Filters
Main Filter
Do not fill the filter element with fuel when
changing the main filter to avoid introducing dust during the
replacement process. Also, check to insure that the o-ring fits
properly. Operate the priming pump to fill the new filter with fuel.
Prefuel Filter
Fill the new filter cartridge for the
prefuel filter with fuel before installing it. Check to make sure the
cap is attached to the new filter cartridge, then pour fuel into the
cartridge (do not use the center hole). Once the cartridge is full of
fuel, take off the cap and discard it. Install the prefuel filter
cartridge onto the filter holder after applying a thin layer of engine
oil to the packing surface of the cartridge. When the packing surface on
the cartridge comes in contact with the sealing surface of the filter
holder, tighten the filter cartridge to turn.
How to prevent water from entering the fuel line
At
night, condensation can occur due to a drop in the temperature while
the equipment is not operating, and water may enter the fuel tank. To
avoid the formation of condensation, at the end of each day, the tank
should be filled up. Before beginning to operate your equipment each
day, drain the water and sediment that has accumulated at the bottom of
the tank. Similarly, about ten minutes after refueling, water and
sediment should be drained from the fuel tank.
