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The internal combustion engine is a true marvel of modern engineering. Diesel engines are found in almost all heavy-duty machinery, trucks, construction equipment, etc. But what happens when they fail? We are going to dive deeper into piston crown failure, why it happens, and what can be done to possibly prevent future issues. If you find yourself with damaged pistons crowns, count on Highway and Heavy Parts to help get you back up and running with as little downtime as possible. Here are the most common causes of piston crown failure.
Improper Coolant Temperature
Yes, the coolant’s main job is to keep temperatures in check. However, improper coolant temps (too cold) can have adverse effects on a hot piston. Clashing temps cause a thermic shock on the crowns leading to discoloration and potential stress cracks later on.
Overheating And Detonation
Detonation has a variety of negative side effects on your diesel engine piston crowns. The most common problems associated with detonation are scored piston liners and crowns that are damaged beyond repair. Often times, other engine issues can be disguised as overheating and/or detonation. If you are unsure, have a certified shop like Highway and Heavy Parts thoroughly check the problem before jumping to conclusions.
Damaged Piston Cooling Nozzle
As its name entails, a piston cooling nozzle has the job of cooling the pistons. It sprays oil in the cylinders (piston crowns) to avoid overheating and other potential issues caused by high temperatures.
Subtle signs such as faint discoloration may be an indication that the crown isn’t getting enough cooling and lubrication. This can be caused by a plugged or damaged piston cooling nozzle. Extreme overheating and oil starvation will cause irreparable damage later down the road.
Carbon Buildup
Heavy carbon buildup can cause several problems for your diesel engine, especially for the piston crown. Culprits such as low-quality fuel, short trips, long idling, etc, can all be to blame for the carbon buildup on your pistons.
Improper Assembly
Improperly installing parts can have multiple negative outcomes. Not only can it keep the engine from working at peak efficiency, but can also cause problems for numerous other components.
A piston ring retainer can be bent, causing an improper seal and allowing excess oil to flow by. Unfortunately, the oil loss will provide improper lubrication and an additional fuel source. If left as is, the problem could cause extreme overheating and eventual piston seizure.
Injector Problems
Incorrect spray patterns by the fuel injector can easily cause piston crown deterioration. Damaged or worn-out injector tips will cause fuel to spray outside or on the edge of the combustion bowl, which eventually causes the fuel to erode and damage the crown.
Improper Timing
Burning and discoloration are usually signs of overheating. However, it could also be an indication of improper timing. Low oil pressure warning indicators can also be a sign that the timing is off. It takes the experience and knowledge of an experienced mechanic to determine the root of the problem.
High Combustion Temps
As previously mentioned, discoloration is a common sign of excessive combustion temperatures. A variety of reasons could cause high combustion temps including, but not limited to improper timing, wrong air/fuel mixture, and defective injectors.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT FAILED Piston Crowns
If you need new piston crowns, Highway & Heavy Parts can help!
If you've had problems getting quality piston crowns in the past, have no fear! Our piston crowns are crafted to strict OEM specifications, so you're getting the highest quality!
These piston crowns will also give you long-lasting strength and durability, and we back them with an industry-leading warranty.
Give us a call and let our experts help you find the right injectors for your engine!
Rebuild Kit Resources
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