Test injectors
There are four tests for injectors. Perform the tests in the following sequence:
- Opening pressure
- Leakage
- Chatter
- Spray pattern
Bleed tester
- Remove carbon deposits from the injector tip with a small brass brush.
- Mount the injector in the tester.
- Turn the tester valve clockwise to close the gauge.
- Operate the tester lever with rapid strokes to prime the tester and to bleed the injector.
- Turn the tester valve knob counterclockwise to open the gauge.
- Slowly depress the tester lever until the injector just begins to spray.
- Read the opening pressure. Should be 120 to 142 bar.
- Replace the injector if it is out of specifications.
Leakage
- Install two pieces of vacuum hose on the injector return fittings to keep fuel from running down the side of the injector.
- Dry the injector with compressed air or a lint free cloth.
- Slowly depress the tester lever until the gauge reading is 20 bar below the measured opening pressure.
- Hold the pressure for 10 seconds The injector should not drip.
(A drop may form on the end of the injector – this is normal).
Chatter
- Turn the tester valve knob clockwise to close the gauge.
- Operate the tester lever with slow strokes. (1 to 2 strokes per second)
- The injector should make a chattering or creaking sound if the injector is in good condition.
- Disregard the spray pattern when checking chatter. Spray pattern can only be checked at fast pumping speeds.
Spray pattern
- Turn the tester valve knob clockwise to close the gauge.
- Operate the tester lever with rapid strokes (4 to 6 strokes per second).
- The spray pattern should be finely atomized and cone shaped.
- Replace injectors which have a bad spray pattern.
- The tester lever must be operated rapidly. At slow pumping speeds it is normal for the spray to stream or dribble out of the injector.
Safety
- Do not put your hands near the injector when testing injectors. The high pressure diesel fuel spray can penetrate your skin and cause blood poisoning.
- Always wear safety goggles when testing injectors.
- The injector sprays a finely atomized combustible mist when testing. Avoid sparks and high heat sources when testing injectors.
- Do not use gasoline as a “test fuel”.