Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Can you run a diesel too lean?

[GOT-Torque]

I know it sounds like a stupid question but based on some other posts I read on here, it sounded like not enough injector with a big charger or twins and you could cause damage?



My previous thoughts were that the less fuel you had, the less boost you would make with any given charger and thus less EGTs.



Any disadvantages (besides less power and harder to spool) to running too small of an injector for any given charger combo?



Also, can damage only be caused by too high of EGTs?

 

[JoshPeters]

You can't run a diesel to lean. To lean means it won't run. I was told in tech school that at idle a stock diesel has on average 600% more air than it needs. That's lean by any standards.



Most of your cylinder/piston damage will be done due to excessive EGT's. Now. . that been said, with the improper spray pattern out of an injector you can have hot spots in one cylinder that can cause failure. Since your EGT guage reads all 6 cylinders, and average, you won't see an issue. Excessive timing can also do funny things to a cylinder.



JP

 

[Forrest Nearing]

most pyrometer setups on these trucks are only reading the back three cylinders

 

[JoshPeters]

most pyrometer setups on these trucks are only reading the back three cylinders

Ahh yes, thanx for the correction... I didn't nessissarily forget... but didn't think about it... .



JP

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Ahh yes, thanx for the correction... I didn't nessissarily forget... but didn't think about it... .



JP

I never do either untill I see pics of a 3rd gen that nuked one of the front cylinders because the injector hung open!



granted, non-CR engines don't really have to worry about that kind of thing and #6 is generally our hottest cylinder (hence the thermocouple reading the back cylinders)



just thinkin' outloud (ouch!) :-laf