19FUEL SYSTEM
4
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OPERATION
Diesel engines operate by compression ignition. The
rapid compression of air in the cylinder during the
compression cycle heats the injected fuel, causing it
to self ignite. During cold starting, automatically
controlled glow plugs assist in raising the temperature
of the compressed air to ignition point.
A cold start advance unit advances the injection timing
to further assist starting. Idle quality is improved by
the high idle setting.
The engine is supplied with pre-compressed air by a
single stage turbocharger.
Exhaust gases passing over a turbine cause it to
rotate, driving a compressor mounted on the turbine
shaft. Air drawn from the cold air intake passes, via
the air cleaner, to the turbocharger where it is
compressed. The compressed air passes to the
cylinders via an intercooler, which reduces the
temperature of the compressed air, increasing its
density.
Fuel is drawn from the tank by a mechanical lift pump
and passes to the injection pump via a filter. In
addition to removing particle contamination from the
fuel, the filter incorporates a water separator, which
removes and stores both bound and unbound water.
The injection pump meters a precisely timed, exact
quantity of fuel to the injectors in response to throttle
variations, injection timing varying with engine speed.
Any excess fuel delivered to the injection pump is not
injected, passing back to the tank via the fuel return
line.
Fuel is injected in a finely atomised form into a
pre-combustion chamber in the cylinder head where it
ignites. The burning fuel expands rapidly into the main
combustion chamber, creating extreme turbulence
which mixes the burning fuel thoroughly with the
compressed air, providing complete combustion.
Cold Starting is assisted by glow plugs, a cold start
advance unit and a high idle setting.Glow plugs
Glow plug operation is controlled by a timer unit, start
relay and resistor. When the ignition is turned on the
timer unit is energised, the glow plugs start to operate
and a warning light on the dashboard illuminates,
remaining illuminated until the glow plugs are
automatically switched off.
The length of time the glow plugs will operate is
dependent on under bonnet temperature, which is
monitored by a sensor located in the timer unit.
Starting the engine results in the power supply to the
glow plugs passing through the resistor, which
reduces their operating temperature. The glow plugs
are cut out either by the temperature sensor in the
timer, or by a microswitch on the injection pump which
operates when the throttle is depressed.
Cold start advance
The cold start advance unit is connected to the engine
cooling system via hoses. It contains a temperature
sensitive element which is retracted when cold and
pulls the advance lever, via cable, towards the rear of
the pump against spring pressure. As coolant
temperature rises, the cold start element expands
releasing tension on the cable and allowing spring
pressure to move the advance lever forwards.
