The Caterpillar C15 diesel engine is synonymous with heavy machinery. What makes them so popular is their reliability, durability, and simplicity. However, nothing lasts forever, and fuel injector issues are inevitable.
Do you think the fuel injectors on your Cat C15 diesel engine are failing or are about to fail? We’ve dedicated this entire post to the potential problems that a defective Caterpillar C15 fuel injector might have.
How do fuel injectors fail? What to do when they fail? All these plus many other questions related to Cat 15 diesel Fuel injectors will be answered. If you think your injectors have failed or are going to fail, get in touch with our knowledgeable staff at DFI. We’ll get you back up and running in no time!
If you want to learn more about fuel injectors and how they work, Highway & Heavy Parts has a great article that explains diesel fuel injectors.
The fuel system in any diesel engine, including the Caterpillar C15 engine, is complicated. We’ve put together a list of the most common Cat C15 fuel injector failure symptoms and what may cause them. Remember, always get a certified shop to tell you exactly what the problem is before going in and blindly replacing parts.
Does your Cat C15 engine not have the same “get up and go” as it once had? It is more sluggish and usual? Faulty fuel injectors may be the ones to blame.
Engineers have designed the Cat C15 diesel engine to work in a variety of applications from farming, to construction equipment, cranes, and even drill rigs. One thing it is not designed to do is a misfire.
A misfire is when one or more cylinders have incomplete combustion, resulting in rough idle. Anyone who’s spent a considerable around of time with the C15 will immediately know if it is not running right.
When compared side by side, diesel and gasoline-powered engines are quite different in design. Gas-powered engines need a source of ignition to help combust the fuel. This is often done by a spark plug.
Diesel engines on the other hand, compress the fuel to a point where it combusts on its own. Unfortunately, a failing diesel fuel injector will not provide the proper amount of fuel, which ends up causing a fuel knock. Although similar to a misfire, it is not the same.
Most vehicles, regardless if they are used for commercial or civilian purposes, will be equipped with some sort of check engine light. Regardless if you think it’s nothing major, check engine codes should be read as soon as possible to avoid doing any further damage.
Diesel engines are notorious for hard starts, especially in the colder months. No matter how many miles or hours your Caterpillar C15 diesel engine has on it, any change in the amount of time it takes to fire it up should be noted and resolved as soon as possible.
If it takes longer than usual and is accompanied by one or a combination of the symptoms noted in this article, fuel injectors should be on the list of possible suspects.
A poor or uneven idle could be caused by plugged, damaged, or faulty fuel injectors. Of course, a rough idle could be the result of other problems, but the fueling system should be first on the list of possible factors.
Rolling coal has always been popular amongst the diesel crowd. These days, due to increased emissions, black smoke should be a cause for concern. If you notice a large cloud of black smoke coming from the exhaust of your Cat C15 engine, your fuel injectors could be to blame.
We all love the smell of fresh diesel in the morning, right? But there is a difference between a healthy Cat C15 engine and a sick and/or tired one. If you are around the C15 day in and day out, an extra rich diesel odor could be a sign of damaged fuel injectors.
Finally, a significant drop in fuel efficiency, even if your driving style remained consistent, is a sign that the fuel injectors may need replacing or repairing. DFI has Caterpillar C15 remanufactured injectors ready in stock and ready to ship out to you.
Fuel injectors are extremely sensitive to change, and Cat C15 injectors are no different. There are two main ways that an injector can fail. Those are mechanically and electronically. This section is dedicated to examining each type of failure in closer detail.
C15 fuel injectors are not immune to physical wear and tear. Over time, debris, water, and even air can get into the fuel system. This means the physical condition of fuel injectors can greatly deteriorate. Age plays a big role in the physical deterioration of fuel injectors. Seals, springs, and everything in between can affect the mechanical condition of fuel injectors.
Whether you like it or not, electronics are part of everyday life and this includes fuel injectors. Caterpillar C15 fuel injectors are equipped with selenoids that tell the injector exactly when to open and close. Unfortunately, time takes a toll on the selenoids and can cause the selenoids to stop working.
Noted above are just the two main types of fuel injector failure. For more, in-depth information, Highway and Heavy Parts has an article covering faulty fuel injectors and their replacement.
Injectors are no doubt an integral part of your fuel system, and when they fail, your engine goes down with it. The first thought that comes to mind when an injector fails, is to rebuild it. This is something that is best left to the pros, like the ones at DFI.
Buying a remanufactured fuel injector is a great alternative to purchasing new. They are oftentimes made alongside the original ones by using only certain components from donor injectors. The best part is that they cost a fraction of brand new injectors. A dollar saved is a dollar earned.
We pride ourselves in selling only the highest quality Cat C15 fuel injectors that meet or exceed factory OEM specifications. Keep your mind at ease by going with DFI today.
Need those fuel injectors? Our ASE Certified Technicians are ready to get you the parts you need! Give us a call at 1-855-212-3022!
