Volvo D13 Bad Injector Symptoms and What to Do with the Problem?

The Volvo D13 prides itself on being one of the most fuel-efficient semi-truck engines in the world with plenty of power to boot. It's for that reason that it has enjoyed a long production run spanning from 2005 up to the present. Over those years leading to the current period, it has also undergone a series of upgrades that further elevate its game in the trucking industry.

The D13 is a long-lasting engine with a B50 rating ranging up to 1.2 million miles before requiring an overhaul or any form of major repairs making it a very dependable power unit.

However, it may experience bad injector symptoms from time to time. When this happens, it is important to know what to do to properly address the issue. In this post, we will outline some of the most common symptoms of a bad injector, as well as provide tips on how to diagnose and fix the problem.

How the Volvo D13 Fuel Injector Works

Before proceeding further, it is important for you to understand first how the Volvo D13 fuel injector works. This section also discusses what you stand to benefit from it.

The Volvo D13 fuel injector is a key component of the engine, responsible for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber. It is a precision device, and its performance can have a significant impact on engine efficiency and emissions.

A good fuel injector will deliver the right amount of fuel at the right time, providing optimal combustion and power output. It will also help to keep emissions low by preventing fuel from being wasted or burned inefficiently.

Volvo's D13 engine is equipped with high-pressure common rail fuel injection, which provides precise control over fuel delivery. The injectors are actuated by piezoelectric crystals, which respond quickly and accurately to changing engine conditions.

This system helps to ensure that the engine runs cleanly and efficiently, while also reducing noise and vibration. It is a significant advance over older fuel injection systems and helps to make the D13 one of the most advanced and efficient engines on the market.

Symptoms of a Bad Injector in the Volvo D13

There are red flags that most likely indicate a bad fuel injector in your Volvo D13. They can manifest in a couple of ways, including but not limited to the following:

1. Rough Idling

While idling, your vehicle might feel very shaky as it is losing power. Your RPM reading is also lower than what is typical in your truck.

2. Stalling

Your engine may struggle in delivering power consistently, so as a result, you may experience gradual or sudden power losses during your drives. It can mean your engine immediately turning off, too. This can be a very dangerous affair as it can be a cause of accidents.

3. Hard Starts

You may have difficulty starting your truck even if you've just left it sitting for a couple of hours.

4. Higher Fuel Consumption

If it's been a while since you had your engine serviced or you are running an old engine, a slight reduction in fuel economy may be experienced as time goes on. However, we are speaking of significantly higher fuel consumption here than usual.

5. Too Much Engine Vibration and Noises

You may feel your engine shaking more than it used to and it is producing plenty of noise. The problem may be exacerbated by knocking, whirring, or grinding sounds along the way.

6. Check Engine Light

The Check Engine light can be related to any issue within your engine or the different components working with your engine. A fuel injection problem is one of the common factors triggering this.

7. Fuel Leak

You can find streaks of fuel in your engine bay, especially in the area where your injector is located. The worse is if there are droplets of fuel on the ground where your truck is parked, specifically in the area perpendicular to your engine bay.

8. Strong Smell of Fuel

Fuel leaks can manifest in the strong odor that the fuel emits as well. You will notice that the closer you get to your truck's engine, the more pungent the smell becomes.

9. Erratic RPM Readings

A bad fuel injector can also make it spray too much fuel in the engine resulting in surging RPM readings.

10. Poor Emission Quality

A faulty fuel injector can bring about too much or less than the fuel required by your engine. Therefore, it can either lead to a thick volume of smoke or smog. This could be a reason for you to fail emission standards.

What Can Go Wrong in Your Volvo D13 Fuel Injection and How to Fix It

Poor fuel quality and quantity, clogged injector tip, ECU errors, or defective components within the fuel injector are the main contributory factors to the common Volvo D13 fuel injection problems.

1. Low or Poor Fuel Quality

The first thing that you need to do is to check the amount and quality of your fuel. Refill your fuel tank if it's already running empty or change your fuel stock if it's no longer within the recommended quality. If your old fuel has been contaminated, be sure to change your fuel filter, too.

2. Clogged Spray Tip

Fuel injectors can become clogged over time, which can lead to reduced performance and fuel economy. Luckily, cleaning your fuel injectors is a relatively easy process that can be done at home.

To start, you'll need to gather a few supplies. You'll need a fuel injector cleaning kit composed of a cleaning fluid, a can of compressed air, and a set of gloves. Once you have your supplies, you can begin the cleaning process.

First, remove the fuel injectors from your semi's engine. If you're not sure how to do this, consult your vehicle owner's manual. Once the fuel injectors are removed, use the compressed air to blow any dirt or debris out of them.

Next, use the fuel injector cleaner to soak the injectors overnight. This will help loosen any stubborn deposits that may be clogging the injectors.

Finally, reattach the fuel injectors and start your engine. The increased airflow should help clean out the injectors and improve your truck's performance.

3. ECU Problems

Your truck's ECU may be sending the wrong signals to your fuel injector causing it to misbehave. This could range from faulty wirings, bad sensors, or a defect in the ECU itself.

Make sure that the wiring and sensors are connected properly and free from any foreign objects that could obstruct their proper functions. If they are already worn out though, you may need to replace the harness and sensors.

Meanwhile, if ECU recalibration or resetting does not work for computer error-related injector issues, then prepare to dish out some serious bucks to have your ECU replaced by a professional.

4. Faulty External and Internal Components of the Fuel Injector

Unfortunately, there's no way to repair a defective or worn fuel injector, except if the problem is only limited to the o-ring which you can easily replace. A fault in any of the following components within the fuel injector means you need to get it changed right away:

• Solenoid
• Electrical Attachment
• Fuel Filter
• Plunger
• Valve Spring
• Injector Casing

If your Volvo D13 engine is starting to show signs of wear on the fuel injectors, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. First, check the condition of the injector in each cylinder of the engine. If they are cracked or damaged, they will need to be replaced.

To replace the D13's fuel injector, you need to detach the electrical connector as you remove the old injector from the engine. Don't forget to bleed the fuel system as you go.

The Volvo D13 engine is equipped with a high-pressure fuel system. When you change the fuel injector, you have to bleed the fuel system to remove any air pockets that might have formed. This will ensure that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently.

To bleed the fuel system, after you have removed the old injector, connect a bleeder hose to the injector. Next, open the bleeder valve and allow the fuel to flow out until it is free of air pockets. Close the bleeder valve and install the new injector. Lastly, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to check for leaks.

Not bleeding the fuel system properly as you change the fuel injector will likely form air pockets that may cause the engine to run rough or stall. So, it's important to take the time to do this process right.

If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, take your Volvo truck to a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Many Volvo truck drivers experience problems with their D13 fuel injectors after prolonged use, or abuse, of their vehicles. Symptoms can range from severe performance issues, to complete engine failure. We hope this article helped you sort out the symptoms and causes of the problem, so at the end of the day, you will know what you can do if you ever end up encountering any of them.