Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Fuel Injection System - Diesel: Description
The diesel fuel injection system consists of a combination injection pump and fuel distributor, 4 fuel injection nozzles, a fuel filter with an integral priming pump, a water sedimentor, fuel lines, and the fuel tank. The engine is also equipped with a glow plug system to assist in cold starting.
The injection pump is a vane type pump and is driven by the engine timing gears. An altitude compensator and a cold start device are installed on the pump to modify injection duration as necessary. The distributor portion of the pump contains a fuel cut solenoid to stop fuel flow to the injectors after the ignition switch is turned off. See Fig 1 .
The injectors use a needle type valve at the end of the nozzle. Injector opening pressure can be changed by adding or subtracting adjusting shim thickness. The adjusting shim is located just above the needle valve return spring in the injector.
The glow plug system consists of a glow plug in each cylinder, 2 relays, a ballast resistor, a glow plug control unit as well as various switches and warning lights.
The sedimentor collects excess water and dirt in the fuel system. A water detected is mounted on the top of the sedimentor. The detector will turn on a warning light on the instrument panel when the water level reaches a predetermined level.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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