If you are unfamiliar with how diesel engines work, the parts and terminology can seem like a foreign language. Let’s break down some of the common components of the diesel engine.
Original engine manufacturer (OEM): The OEM is the original producer of a particular car’s parts. OEM parts will be identical to the original ones installed in the car. OEM products are typically sold through branded car dealerships and the automaker directly. Since these products are guaranteed to be compatible with the vehicle, they are often more expensive than aftermarket products.
Aftermarket products: Manufacturers who did not originally produce a vehicle may make parts that can be used in one. Unlike OEM, compatibility is not guaranteed as the parts are not made for a specific vehicle. Aftermarket products are typically less expensive, but their quality and compatibility can vary dramatically, from products with high quality that surpasses OEM products to lower-priced and inferior quality products.
Turbochargers: Turbochargers force extra air into the combustion chambers of engines. This makes the air denser than if it wasn’t forced into the chambers. Since the density of the air is higher, it allows more power per engine cycle. Turbochargers are also capable of increasing fuel efficiency without the need to increase power by using energy from the exhaust and feeding it back to the intake of the engine.
Injection pump: A diesel fuel injection pump pumps fuel into the cylinders of a diesel engine and increases diesel fuel pressure. It injects fuel in small, rhythmic increments but at extremely high pressures. Because of the high pressure that could easily cause injury, injection pumps should be handled with care.
Diesel fuel injector: Diesel fuel injectors are small, complicated electrical components that spray fuel into the intake manifold in front of the intake valve in a diesel engine. The injector’s internal parts are lubricated by the diesel fuel that is sprayed from the injectors. Water in the fuel can cause failure for the injectors because it interferes with the lubrication.
Nozzles: Diesel fuel injector nozzles are vital parts of diesel engines. The nozzles inject fuel into the cylinder against the cylinder pressure. A diesel nozzle fires, on average, 1,000 times per minute. The parts of a diesel injector nozzle include the diesel injector needle valve, the injector body, the injector pressure chamber, and a heat shield.
Plunger and barrel: In an engine’s fuel injection pump, the plunger and barrel feed fuel into the cylinders through the fuel injector valve. When the plunger is at the lowest point, fuel will enter the barrel through the inlet ports and the plunger helix. The plunger will rise, eventually covering the inlet ports and creating a pressure chamber above the plunger. As the plunger moves higher, the pressure increases. High-pressure fuel is forced to the fuel injector through the pump delivery valve and continues until the helix is high enough to reach the spill port, where the high-pressure fuel is released into the inlet chamber, and fuel pressure drops.
Delivery valve: The diesel delivery valve controls the amount of fuel that goes into the injector. It is a check-valve before the fuel is sprayed into the piston bowl.
Solenoid: A solenoid is a device that creates a strong magnetic field or flux (and uses that to create mechanical motion) from an electrical current. Solenoids are composed of tightly wound copper wire housed by iron or steel, which concentrates the magnetic field created by the coil. A plunger through the center of the coil of wire is attracted to the stop due to the concentration of the magnetic field, and it provides the mechanical force to do work. Solenoids are incorporated into multiple automotive parts.
Turbocharger housings: The housing for a turbocharger connects the turbine and compressor ends together. These are typically iron and house all the seals and bearings.
Compressor wheels: A compressor wheel is part of a turbocharger that, when coupled with an exhaust gas turbine wheel, is used to boost the intake air pressure of an internal combustion engine. It is located in a solid shaft along with the turbine wheel.
Turbine wheel: A turbine wheel provides rotation for the compressor end of a turbo by spinning directly from the exhaust gases that exit an engine. The turbine wheel is located on the exhaust side of the turbo.
Actuator: An actuator is a mover. It converts energy into a mechanical motion.
Core engine: The core engine is the compressor, turbine, and burner. Because the core’s output is hot exhaust gas, the core is also referred to as the gas generator.
Camshaft: A camshaft converts rotational motion into reciprocal motion. Camshafts in automobiles are key factors in determining the RPM range of an engine’s power band. Camshafts rotate and have pointed cams that activate valves when they turn.
CHRA cartridges: A center housing rotating assembly cartridge (CHRA cartridge) improves vehicle performance by sending exhaust gas to power the turbocharger.
For all your diesel needs, contact us at Goldfarb & Associates, Inc. We are America’s leading supplier of diesel parts and can help you find the new, used, or re-manufactured parts that you need.
