Diesel injectors - why are they so moody?

[whitesnake01]

More of a curiosity question than anything else. I've seen reports of diesel injector problems for both the DMAX and PSD. What is the deal?

 

a) outright defective injectors?

b) something in the fuel, especially variance in quality around the country?

c) assembly problems with the engine?

d) GM injector specs inspire supplier(s) to be "cheap"

e) poor engine system design

f) insufficient testing of engine design in reasonably adverse conditions

g) use of engine beyond supported limits (through aftermarket performance tunes)

 

Are they just having problems opening/closing, perhaps staying open more than they should, causing leaks into oil, etc? And if they are having problems opening/closing, how come? They initially worked. How did they deteriorate?

 

I am curious because I am waiting for a DMAX truck and I am wondering if there is anything I can do to reduce the risk of problems developing. I've read that some people install big fuel filters, for example.

 

Thanks,

[snoman]

Quality and purity of the fuel here is a big issue sometimes. They use ultra high presure injection which means very small injectors and easier to foul. Starting in 2007 they have got to clean fuel up a lot because cats will be mandated on diesels in 2008, even on OTR rigs. The excuse for not have them already mandatory is poor fuel quality and high sulpher content. The EPA has order large reductions in sulpher and contaminents by end of 2007 so maybe this problem will get better with time.

[banshee42096]

DONT KNOW IF THIS WILL HELP I KNOW SOMEONE THAT

WORKS FOR ROUSE HE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE QUA

LITY OF THE INGETOR MATERIAL ON SOME ACUATLY POPPING

OUT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO RECALL THE AFTED VEHICLES

AND CHANGE TO UPDATED INJECTORS DONT KNOW IF NEW ONES

ARE ANYBETTER JUST KNOW THEY FOUND OUT FAST AND SOMEONE

ON THE ASSEMBLIE LINE INSTALLED THEM INSTEAD OF PULLING THEM

AND INSTALLING THE CORRECT ONES IVE HEARD SOME HAVE HALF AND HALF

FOR THE LITTLE PROBLEMS TO CORRECT YOUR STILL BUYING THE BEST OUT

THERE