What is Airlock in the fuel system?
Generally, an airlock is a condition in which the flow of liquid obstructs due to trapped gas in a pipe. Airlock in the fuel system is a problem caused when the liquid fuel changes its state to gas while in the fuel delivery system. Airlocks are caused by the air leaking into the fuel line that enters from the tank.
An airlock can destroy pumps and injectors and fills the entire fuel system with air, firing the engine back. It can cause severe engine problems and will cost you more expanse. For example, it can cause Range Rover Sport Tdv8 Engine Removal; it will be terrible to see your range rover in this condition.
Causes of airlock:
· No fuel in the engine:
When the diesel engine runs out of fuel, air will easily enter the fuel lines and fuel injector. When there is no fuel, the fuel pump will be unable to pump fuel and only pump air. As a result, when you drive on an empty fuel in the fuel tank, your car becomes airlocked. When your car becomes airlocked due to the shortage of fuel, it is easy to identify the problem.
· Leak in fuel piping:
Pinhole leaks in the lower pressure lines extending from the tank to the pump can cause an airlock. The pump sucks air through these holes rather than fuel from the tank. As a result, air traps in the fuel lines and fuel injector and constrict the flow of liquid. When you are sure that your fuel tank is not starving, and there is something else that has caused the airlock, take a notice of the leaks. Inspects the leakages and fix and repair them before draining air from the fuel lines and injector.
Remedy:
The remedy for solving the airlock caused by any of the above causes is bleeding the system. You can also remove it by turning the engine over for a time using the starter motor.
Bleeding the fuel system:
When you refill the fuel, you have to eliminate the air that has been locked in the fuel lines and fuel injectors. This process is called bleeding the system.
Step no. 1: Check for the pinholes
As mentioned above, if the airlock causes due to a leak in fuel piping, there must be a hole in the pressure lines. So before starting the process of bleeding the fuel system, you have to fix these points. But if there is no such problem, you can proceed to the next step.
Step no. 2: Turn off the fuel valve:
Since the air must be stuck in fuel lines and fuel injectors or fuel valves, you have to first turn them off.
Step no. 3: Clean filter housing:
Move to the next step by cleaning the outer side of the filter housing.
Step no. 4: Back off the bleed screw:
Find the bleed screws on the diesel engine. There can be one or more screws, usually at the top of fuel filters. Loosen the screws but don’t pull them out.
Step no. 5: Open fuel supply valve:
Now open the fuel supply valve for supplying fuel to the filter and pump.
Step no. 6: operate manual fuel pump primer:
Start pumping the lever or plunger until all air is removed from the fuel tank, fuel lines, and injector. Also, keep an eye on bleed screws while pumping.
Step no. 7: Close bleed screws:
Tighten the bleed screws when the bleeding task completes.
Step no. 8: Turn on the engine:
Turn on the engine and check if it is running smoothly. If it doesn’t, you have to bleed the injection line. Follow the below steps for further process.
OPTIONAL:
Step no. 9: Loosen engine lines
Step no. 10: Crank the engine
Step no. 11: Tighten engine injector lock nut
Step no. 12: Turn on the engine