Why A Clean Fuel Tank Is Important For A Fuel Pump’s Diet
Fuel pump replacement comebacks can be costly and can hurt your reputation. One of the leading causes of failure is the tank. If a vehicle gets 20 miles to the gallon, then more than 5,000 gallons of gas (from many stations) will go through the tank in 100,000 miles. During this time, sediment, rust and debris from the pump can find its way into the tank. Removing all contaminates is critical.
Explorer/Mountaineer Fuel Pump Tech Tip
Some 2004-’07 Explorer four door/Mountaineer vehicles may exhibit the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0463 or an erratic fuel gauge concern. This could be from sulphur contamination in the fuel, causing an open or high resistance on the fuel sender card.
Contaminated Fuel Can Wreck Havoc On Fuel Delivery Systems
Although cases involving contaminated gasoline are relatively rare nowadays, they still occur. In many cases, the technician has replaced the fuel pump or mass air flow (MAF) sensor to address a P0171/P0174 “lean-condition” DTC with no result. In all likelihood, the technician didn’t consider the possibility that the vehicle’s fuel might be contaminated with E85 gasoline, diesel fuel, stale gasoline, or, to a lesser degree, sugar and water.
Fuel Feature: Eliminating Poor Throttle Response
The pump gasoline sold at gas stations around the country has changed quite a bit over the last several decades. The first major change was the removal of lead from the gasoline. The next major change was to reformulate the gasoline to reduce both the evaporative and exhaust emissions from vehicles. Then, the federal government mandated the use of oxygenation of gasoline in many parts of the country. The latest method to oxygenate the fuel is with ethanol made from corn. These recent changes in gasoline formulation may or may not be a good idea in theory, but since this modern gasoline contains less energy than it did in the past it may actually cause a loss in power, fuel efficiency and driveability unless the engine is properly tuned for these new blends of gasoline.
Diesel Injection Components
One thing that has been discovered with diesel fuel injection is the higher the pressure at which it is injected creates more efficiency. The purpose of common rail injection is to deliver high-pressure fuel to the injector. Fuel in a common rail system will be injected into the combustion chamber through the injector nozzle at pressures as high as 28,000 psi. This is far from the mechanical systems of the past that would inject fuel into the combustion chamber at 2,000 to 3,000 psi.
Diagnostic Solutions: Direct Fuel Injection Systems
For veteran technicians, it’s no wonder that the internal combustion engine (ICE) has been pronounced “dead” on more than one occasion. After having gone through the gas turbine craze during the early 1960s and the rotary engine fad of the 1970s, it comes as no surprise that we’re witnessing still another resurrection of the reciprocating internal combustion engine in the form of gasoline direct fuel injection.
Audi Tech Tip: MIL On With Multiple Low Fuel Pressure DTCs
Due to fuel intrusion into the low-pressure system fuel pressure sensor (G410), a false signal may be sent to the controller, resulting in a reading that is out of tolerance. Comparing Measure Value Block (MVB) 103 with 106 is not an accurate method to diagnose low-side fuel pressure sensor G410. In order to diagnose G410 accurately, use a mechanical gauge and compare results with the low-side fuel pressure Actual Value in MVB 103.
Advanced Tips For Changing Fuel Pressure On EFI Systems
Changing the fuel pressure on an EFI System is an effective method of affecting engine performance and making more power. However, there are many do’s and don’ts, and rules of thumb that can be frustrating to learn the hard way. This article includes many small, but key points, tips and insights all engine tuners should to know and understand before cranking on that adjustable regulator.
Delphi Product & Service Solutions Offers Eight New Fuel Modules, Pumps And Kits
Delphi Product & Service Solutions announces the addition of eight new fuel modules, pumps and kits to its fuel management portfolio covering more than 2.6 million popular vehicles built from 2000 to 2012, including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti, AMG and Audi applications. Inventory is available now.
Tech Tip: Lexus Fuel Injector ‘Ticking’ Noise
Some customers with 2004-’05 model year RX 330 vehicles may complain of a “ticking” noise from the engine compartment when the engine is idling. Updated fuel main tube and fuel tube clamps are now available.
Pulling Codes: Advanced Misfire and Fuel Trim Analysis — A P030X Detailed Analysis
Carlton Banks documents the use of fuel trims and oxygen sensor behavior to determine if the misfire activity is ignition, engine mechanical or fuel related.
Diagnosing Inoperative Fuel Pumps
As I’ve discovered recently, times change and so do the procedures for diagnosing inoperative fuel pumps. Just a few weeks ago, I diagnosed a case in which the owner had started his vehicle for several months by spraying starting fluid (ether) into his truck’s air intake before he cranked the engine.