Causes of high fuel consumption on a diesel engine

Diesel engines in their design are not much different from gasoline engines - there is the same cylinder-piston group, the same connecting rods and crankshaft. The whole difference lies in how fuel and air are supplied to the combustion chambers of the pistons - air under high pressure ignites and at this time diesel fuel enters the chamber and an explosion occurs, which causes the pistons to move.

Many drivers complain that their diesel engines are consuming more fuel. Understanding this problem is quite difficult. The reason can be either the simplest - you need to replace the fuel and air filters, or the most difficult - as a result of using poorly purified diesel fuel, nozzles and injectors are clogged, pressure in the high-pressure fuel pumps (TNVD) is lost.

Some recommendations.

If you see that the computer shows an increased consumption of diesel fuel, then first of all check filter status. Remove the air filter and try to look through it at the light - small holes should be visible. If not, then it's time to replace the air filter.

The fuel filter is changed after a certain number of kilometers driven. If you fill up at a good gas station, and do not buy "diesel" from someone on the cheap, then look at what the instructions say about changing the fuel filter. Although replacing such an important element as a filter never hurts. By the way, this is the cheapest and easiest solution to the problem.

A very important point is proper selection of engine oil. For diesel engines, low viscosity oil is used, in addition, canisters of well-known manufacturers always indicate which types of engines the oil is intended for. If the oil has a low viscosity, then it is easier for the pistons to move, less slag and scale are formed.

You can also determine the cause by exhaust color. Ideally, it should be slightly bluish. If there is black smoke, problems are experienced during start-up - this is a sign that at least it is time to change the piston rings and any dirt has settled on the surface of the cylinders. Run your finger along the inside of the exhaust pipe - there should be a dry and grayish sediment. If you see oily soot, then look for the cause in the engine.

No matter how trite it may sound, but often the increased consumption of a diesel engine is also associated with the fact that the wheels are a little blown away and there is a lot of rolling resistance. In this case, you need to check tire pressure and bring it back to normal. Also, the change in aerodynamics is another reason for the increased consumption. For example, with open side windows, the aerodynamic index decreases, and besides, there is a high probability of catching a cold in a draft.

Fuel equipment

Diesel fuel equipment is a sore spot. The injection system suffers especially when refueling with low-quality fuel. Nozzles supply a strictly measured amount of diesel fuel to the combustion chambers. If the filters do not cope with cleaning, then there is a high probability of clogging of sprayers and plunger pairs, in which everything is measured to the last fraction of a millimeter.

If the cause is clogged injectors, then you can use an injector cleaner, they are presented in a large assortment at any gas station. Such a tool is simply added to the tank and gradually does its job of cleaning the nozzles, and all waste is removed along with the exhaust gases.

If the design of your engine provides for the reuse of exhaust gases, that is, it is worth turbine, then remember that more diesel fuel is needed to ensure its operation. The turbine in some models can be turned off, although this leads to a drop in traction, but if you only drive around the city and stand idle in traffic jams, you need to think about what is more important - economical consumption or traction that is not needed in such conditions.

Well, one of the most common reasons electronics problems. Sensors feed distorted data to the CPU, as a result of which the computer incorrectly normalizes fuel injection and more fuel is consumed.

As you can see, some problems can be solved on our own, but sometimes it’s better to go for diagnostics and stop killing your diesel.

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