GDI – Gasoline Direct Injection

GDI is the direct injection of gasoline (fuel) into the combustion chamber typically using a High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) system.

 

 

HPCR uses a high pressure pump, typically above 15,000 psi (1034 bar) and potentially as high as 55,000 psi (3800 bar) to supply fuel to piezoelectric injectors. These injectors use stacks of ceramic crystal cells capable of producing up to nine (9) injections per combustion cycle. These cells expand slightly with an electrical charge and contract when that charge is removed. By stacking many cells together the small expansions and contractions are combined to create a movement sufficient to open and close an Injector Pintle in very consistent, very fast cycles.

Using one or more computer modules to control the fuel system (and several other operating parameters) allows the engine to create an Ultra lean burn or Stratified Charge condition where the normal stoichiometric ratio of 14.7:1 can be extended as high as 65:1 for short periods under light load or deceleration, Stoichiometric Condition during moderate load, and Power Condition where slightly richer than stoichiometric fuel ratios exist.

                This creates conditions allowing for much greater power output per given displacement (*higher power density), which can be translated into dramatically improved fuel economy, while significantly lowering emissions. This allows for example a six cylinder engine to produce the same (or more) horsepower and torque than a much larger 8 cylinder engine, but with a smaller size and less weight.

                All of this high technology equipment brings with it some challenges and problems. The move to GDI has caused some unexpected problems, the biggest one being “Intake Valve Deposits”.

                Intake Valve Deposits are caused by a combination of problems found in all gasoline engines’ that did not however become apparent until GDI was introduced.

                In all internal combustion engines, a small amount of fuel bypasses the piston rings, washing down the cylinder walls and into the crankcase. In the days before we started with Ethanol blended gasoline, that small amount of gasoline would vaporize and be sucked up by PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system. That gasoline mixed with some vaporized motor oil would be burned in the engine with relatively little trouble.

However with the addition of Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) to gasoline has made the situation worse in several ways. First, Ethanol mixed with motor oil liberates (breaks down) some of the important additives found in motor oil. Components such as Phosphorous, ZDP or ZDDP (Zinc), and Sulfonated Ash separate from the oil and are then easily vaporized. The PCV system is powered by vacuum from the intake system and all of that vaporized material flows into the intake and flows over the Intake Valves. When that material hits the very hot intake valves, it condenses and then sticks forming rock hard carbon deposits on the valve stems and in and around the port area.

                In earlier engines with Port Fuel Injection, Sequential Fuel Injection, and Carburetors, fuel was mixed with air and traveled through some or all of the intake system which allowed that fuel to continuously wash over and clean the intake ports and intake valves. This did an excellent job of keeping these areas and components clean.

                Now in engines using GDI the fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber bypassing the intake, intake port, and intake valves so there is nothing to wash or help keep the valves clean.

                Next, Ethanol is Hygroscopic, meaning that it actually picks up moisture from the atmosphere and from condensation inside the engine and holds it in suspension. As the amount of water in the oil increases, you will reach a point where something called Phase Separation takes place, where the Ethanol and Water blend together and separate from the Motor Oil and any residual gasoline forming a distinct layer at the bottom of the crankcase.

This Ethanol/Water layer is a highly corrosive emulsion that will rapidly corrode the internal engine components and can have several other insidious effects. The layer is at the very bottom of the crankcase (underneath the motor oil) and this is where the oil pump pickup tube is positioned. When the engine is started, the oil pump immediately picks up this bad layer and pumps it throughout the engine. This can cause increased wear and will actually strip lubrication from all the engines moving parts.

Worse yet, if you live in area where the temperatures get below freezing, the water can freeze, actually blocking the pickup tube and starving the engine from all lubrication. Either of these situations can cause catastrophic engine failure.

There are several proactive things that can reduce or eliminate many of these concerns. The first involves a thorough cleaning of the inside of the engine.

Diesel EGR - Diesel Exhaust Gas Recirculation Systems

Exhaust Gas Recirculation is an emissions control system and or device used to reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.

Nitrogen Oxide emissions are among the most dangerous and difficult to deal with emissions from internal combustion engines (and other sources).

NOx is created when nitrogen and oxygen (air) react at high temperatures (combustion) and pressures. NOx released through the exhaust into the atmosphere then reacts with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and sunlight to form Photochemical Smog, which negatively affects all living things, in particular small children and the elderly with Asthma. This form of smog is very long lived in the atmosphere, breaking down very slowly.

The EGR system takes a portion of an engine’s exhaust gases, which after combustion have very little oxygen and nitrogen left in them and runs them through a cooler or coolers (using engine coolant or other closed loop cooling system fluid) which lowers their temperature and then using a valve, meters that cooled gas back into the air intake system.

This cooled exhaust gas displaces some of the oxygen and nitrogen from the incoming air, which in turn reduces combustion temperature, lowering the amount of NOx the engine produces.

In diesel engines, the amount of EGR (as controlled by the EGR Valve) can vary from near 0% to as high as 50% depending on engine speed, temperature, and load. Engine and emissions computer manage EGR levels.

In North America OEM’s initially tried, to use EGR as the primary or in some cases their only method of controlling NOx.

While EGR offers the positive effect of reducing NOx, trying to use very high levels necessary to lower NOx to the levels demanded by EPA regulations produces several serious negative effects; such as a significant reduction in power output, much lower fuel economy, an increase particulate production, and a number of other maintenance and operational issues.

The effect of taking volatile exhaust gases, which can contain over 1000 chemical compounds and rapidly cooling them, forces creation of condensate, which forms deposits, that are highly acidic, and can wreak havoc with sensors and system components. A soft, light, powdery carbon often plugs coolers, while a rock hard carbon forms in the valve and passage areas.

The high level of particulate production forces the Catalytic Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to work harder and regenerate far more often using even more fuel.

The first sign of trouble is often a check engine light showing reduced EGR flow. There are usually accompanying problems such as poor performance, reduced fuel economy, rough running, and several other possibilities.

When under warranty, OEM shops typically first try to replace parts, such as the EGR Valve and or EGR Cooler(s).

While the valve or cooler may well be plugged, and replacing them may temporarily clear the code. Doing this without cleaning all the passages, tubing, sensors, the exhaust side of the Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) found in the entire EGR system is usually a wasted effort.

This type of turbocharger is particularly susceptible to problems with engines producing high levels of particulates (black soot). This soot will attach to the vanes and prevent their proper movement, reducing or eliminating the advantages provided by VGT’s.

Cleaning the valve, the cooler(s) all of the passages on both the exhaust and intake sides as well as the exhaust side of a VGT is vital to restoring full power, fuel economy, and drivability to the engine.

Cleaning this system properly also reduces the load on the DPF, further improving mileage and power output.

With the advent of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) using Diesel Emission Fluid (DEF) (Urea) to form Ammonia, which then reacts with a Zeolite or Precious Metal Catalyst to convert the NOx into Water Vapor, and CO₂ it becomes possible to reduce the amount or percentage of EGR.

Using SCR and EGR together produces an engine with very good operational characteristics, acceptable fuel economy, reasonable emissions, and fair maintenance intervals and costs.

That said; all EGR systems have maintenance issues. These issues are made better or worse depending on how the vehicle is used.

Diesel engines are at their best running at a steady state, for example running down the interstate at highway speeds under a load for long periods of time. When operated in this fashion, the EGR, SCR, and DPF systems are most efficient, and will operate with minimal maintenance.

However, when a diesel is operated under low load, stop and go, short runs, or is allowed to idle for extended periods, those same systems struggle to operate correctly. Cold Temperatures, poor quality fuels, and poor maintenance practices exacerbate these problems. Under these conditions, where components are not up to operating temperatures or where they are not run long enough to complete their operational cycles, they can very quickly (and expensively) fail.

There are a number of things that can be done to improve operational characteristics and reduce maintenance. High quality fuel is the most important. Your engine wants and needs clean, water free, contaminant free fuel. Your owner’s manual tells you that you need fuel with a Cetane rating of 45 to 50, yet most fuel sold in North America is only rated at 40. Raising Cetane above 45 will have a huge positive effect as will adding detergents that can remove both internal and external injector deposits. Removing water is vital for pump and injector longevity. Adding a synthetic Lubricity agent as well as thermal and oxidative stability agents. Improving fuel quality is an investment costing only a few cents per gallon that will provide benefits many times its minor cost. In what is both a challenge and an opportunity for dealers and repair facilities, customers need to be educated that adding certain types of high quality supplements to their fuel on a regular and on-going basis, can have a major impact on improving operability and reducing repair costs and down-time.

There are several high quality fuel additive or supplement products available today that can dramatically reduce EGR and DPF problems.

Also, at least three companies are offering professional technician service tools  and chemicals that quickly, safely, and very effectively clean the entire EGR system.

Setting a preventive maintenance program that includes an EGR service and using properly formulated fuel supplements can and will prevent many if not most problems with these systems.

Diesel EGR service together with DPF service are the two biggest problems facing owners of diesel powered vehicles. Repairs made under warranty, especially those repairs made multiple times, still have a negative effect on customer satisfaction. Vehicles “out-of-service” cost money far beyond the actual repair cost.

Diesel will be about 3% of Automobile and Light Truck sales this year (2014) and is expected to reach about 10% by 2017.

In Europe well over 50% of the new passenger, car and light trucks sold are diesel powered, with some countries being over 80%. In many cases, diesels perform as well as hybrids for less money. While here in North America, we are considerably behind in the move toward diesel, there is little doubt that this is the direction in which we are headed.