ASTM D6421-99a(2004)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Evaluating Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel for Electronic Port Fuel Injector Fouling by Bench Procedure
Standard Test Method for Evaluating Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel for Electronic Port Fuel Injector Fouling by Bench Procedure
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a bench test procedure to evaluate the tendency of automotive spark-ignition engine fuel to foul electronic port fuel injectors (PFI). The test method utilizes a bench apparatus equipped with Bosch injectors specified for use in a 1985-1987 Chrysler 2.2-L turbocharged engine. This test method is based on a test procedure developed by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) for prediction of the tendency of spark-ignition engine fuel to form deposits in the small metering clearances of injectors in a port fuel injection engine (see CRC Report No. 592).
1.2 The test method is applicable to spark-ignition engine fuels, which may contain antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, metal deactivators, dyes, deposit control additives, demulsifiers, or oxygenates, or a combination thereof.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Approximate inch-pound units are shown in parentheses for information purposes only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given throughout this test method.
Note 1—If there is any doubt as to the latest edition of Test Method D 6421, contact ASTM International Headquarters. Other properties of significance to spark-ignition engine fuel are described in Specification D 4814.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6421–99a (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel for
Electronic Port Fuel Injector Fouling by Bench Procedure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6421; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D4814 Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine
Fuel
1.1 This test method covers a bench test procedure to
D5598 Test Method for Evaluating Unleaded Automotive
evaluate the tendency of automotive spark-ignition engine fuel
Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel for Electronic Port Fuel Injec-
to foul electronic port fuel injectors (PFI). The test method
tor Fouling
utilizes a bench apparatus equipped with Bosch injectors
2.2 ANSI Standard:
specified for use in a 1985-1987 Chrysler 2.2-L turbocharged
MC 96.1 American National Standard for Temperature
engine.Thistestmethodisbasedonatestproceduredeveloped
Measurement Thermocouples.
by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) for prediction of
2.3 CARB Standard:
the tendency of spark-ignition engine fuel to form deposits in
Test Method for Evaluating Port Fuel Injector (PFI) De-
the small metering clearances of injectors in a port fuel
2 posits in Vehicle Engines
injection engine (see CRC Report No. 592 ).
2.4 Clean Air Act Amendment:
1.2 The test method is applicable to spark-ignition engine
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, Public Law 101–549,
fuels, which may contain antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors,
Title 1 – Provisions for Attainment and Maintenance of
metal deactivators, dyes, deposit control additives, demulsifi-
National Air Quality Standards
ers, or oxygenates, or a combination thereof.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3. Terminology
standard. Approximate inch-pound units are shown in paren-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
theses for information purposes only.
3.1.1 base fuel, n—unleaded automotive spark-ignition en-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
gine fuel that does not contain a deposit control additive but
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
may contain antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, metal deactiva-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tors, dyes, or oxygenates, or a combination thereof.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.2 cycle, n—a 15-s pulsing period, followed by a 50-min
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
heating period at 160°C (320°F), followed by a 10-min
tionary statements are given throughout this test method.
cool-down period.
NOTE 1—If there is any doubt as to the latest edition of Test Method
3.1.3 deposit control additive, n—materialaddedtothebase
D6421, contact ASTM International Headquarters. Other properties of
fuel to prevent or remove deposits in the entire engine intake
significance to spark-ignition engine fuel are described in Specification
system.
D4814.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—For the purposes of this test method,
2. Referenced Documents the performance of a deposit control additive is limited to the
3 electronic PFI tip areas.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.4 driveability, n—thequalityofavehicle’sperformance
characteristics as perceived by the operator in response to
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
changes in throttle position.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.A0 on Gasoline and Oxygenated Fuels.
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2004.PublishedJuly2004.Originallyapproved
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D6421 – 99a. DOI: 10.1520/
D6421-99AR04.
2 4
“A Program to Evaluate a Bench Scale Test Method to Determine the Deposit Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
Forming Tendencies of Port Fuel Injectors,” available from Coordinating Research 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Council, Inc., 219 Perimeter Ctr. Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30346. Available from California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or CA 95815. (Incorporated by reference in California Code of Regulations, Title 13,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Section 2257.)
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
the ASTM website. Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6421–99a (2004)
3.1.5 electronic port fuel injector (PFI), n—an electrome- test procedures to obtain a correlation. The vehicle tests were
chanical device used to control fuel flow in an internal conducted as described in Test Method D5598. The tests were
combustion engine. conducted on several base gasolines, with and without addi-
3.1.6 fouling, v—formation of carbonaceous deposits on the tives blended into these base fuels. The PFI bench test proved
pintle or metering surfaces of an electronic fuel injector, which to be reliable, repeatable, and a good predictor of PFI fouling
reduces fuel flow rate. in test vehicles.
3.1.7 pintle, n—a needle-like metering device extending
5.1.1 State and Federal Legislative and Regulatory
beyond the electronic fuel injector body that is part of an Action—Legislative and regulatory activity, primarily by the
electronic fuel injector, which controls flow rate and spray
state of California (see 2.3) and the federal government (see
pattern. 2.4), necessitate the acceptance of a standard test method to
3.1.8 test fuel, n—base fuel, with or without the addition of
evaluate the PFI deposit-forming tendency of an automotive
a deposit control additive, that is used for evaluation as spark-ignition engine fuel.
described in this test method.
5.1.2 Relevance of Results—The operating conditions and
design of the laboratory apparatus used in this test method may
4. Summary of Test Method
not be representative of a current vehicle fuel system. These
4.1 This test method describes a procedure for evaluating
factors must be considered when interpreting results.
the formation of deposits in PFIs. The test method includes a
5.2 Test Validity:
bench test procedure that has been shown to rapidly form
5.2.1 Procedural Compliance—The test results are not con-
deposits in fuel injectors and a procedure for determining
sideredvalidunlessthetestiscompletedincompliancewithall
resultant flow loss.
requirements of this test method. Deviations from the param-
4.2 Thistestmethodusesasimulatedfuelsystemconsisting
eter limits presented in Section 10 will result in an invalid test.
of a fuel pump, filter, pressure regulator, fuel rail, and fuel
Engineering judgment shall be applied during conduct of the
injectors. A heat source is applied to the fuel injectors to
testmethodwhenassessinganyanomaliestoensurevalidityof
simulate the hot-soak portion of the vehicle test (see Test
the test results.
Method D5598).
4.3 Each test begins with screened injectors that are known
6. Apparatus
to foul. The tips of these four clean fuel injectors are placed in
6.1 Automatic Electronic PFI Bench Test Apparatus —This
an aluminum block.Astainless-steel internal reservoir is filled
apparatus is composed of two units, a fuel handling unit and a
with 2 L of the test fuel.
controller.
4.4 During one 60-min test cycle, the fuel injectors are
6.1.1 Fuel Handling Unit—This unit houses a machined
pulsed for 15 s, followed by a 50-min hot-soak interval in
aluminum fuel rail and a heated aluminum block designed to
whichtheinjectoraluminumblocktemperaturecontrollerisset
accommodate four PFIs. Heaters and thermocouples are
at a temperature of 160°C (320°F) and the fuel pressure is
mounted in the heated aluminum block. This unit also houses
regulated to 263 kPa (38 psig), followed by a 10-min cool-
a 2.25-L stainless steel reservoir, an electric fuel pump, a fuel
down period. Flow measurements for each of the injectors are
regulator, and a variety of valves used to transfer fuel to and
takenatthebeginningofthetest,after22cycles,andattheend
from the reservoir and to deliver fuel under pressure to the
of the test at 44 cycles.
injectors (see Annex A1).
4.5 The change in the rate of flow for each injector from the
6.1.2 Programmable Microprocessor Controller or Other
start to the end of the test is used to determine the fouling
Controller—The controller is used to fill the fuel reservoir,
percentage of each injector.
control and measure the temperature of the heated block, pulse
5. Significance and Use
the injectors, control the soak period, count the number of test
cycles, and control the flow period for the measuring of the
5.1 Driveability problems in PFI automobiles were first
flow rate. The unit is programmed to shut down automatically
reported in 1984. Deposits are prone to form on the metering
at the end of each 22-cycle period.
surfaces of pintle-type electronic fuel injectors. These deposits
6.1.3 External Pressure Regulator—This regulator is used
reduce fuel flow through the metering orifices. Reductions in
metered fuel flow result in an upset in the air-fuel ratio, which to adjust the pressure of the nitrogen gas on the fuel system.
This ensures that the pressure of the fuel in the fuel rail is
can affect emissions and driveability. When heavy enough,
these deposits can lead to driveability symptoms, such as maintainedwithanaccuracyof 66.8kPa(61.0psi)duringthe
test.
hesitation, hard starting, or loss of power, or a combination
thereof, that are easily noticed by the average driver and that
lead to customer complaints. The mechanism of the formation
of deposits is not completely understood. It is believed to be
The following instrument has been found suitable by interlaboratory coopera-
influenced by many factors, including driving cycle, engine
tive testing: Port Fuel Injector Bench Test Apparatus. Available from Southwest
andinjectordesign,andcompositionofthefuel.Theprocedure
Research Institute, San Antonio, TX.
in this test method has been found to build deposits in PFIs on
a consistent basis. This procedure can be used to evaluate
differences in base fuels and fuel additives. A study of PFI
fouling was conducted in both the bench test and the vehicle
D6421–99a (2004)
6.1.4 Electronic PFIs—Only Bosch EV1.1A (Part Number Society,wheresuchspecificationsareavailable. Othergrades
8,9
0280150360) pintle-style injectors shall be used. The corre- may be used provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is
sponding Chrysler Corp. part number is 4306024 and is clearly of sufficient purity to permit its use without lessening the
marked on the injector. The protective cap shall be removed accuracy of the determinations.
from the injector by cutting the plastic cap with a razor blade 7.2 Berryman Chem-Dip Carburetor and Parts
,
11 9
and gently heating with a heat gun. The rubber o-rings and Cleaner —This cleaner has been found effective in remov-
spacers shall be removed to expose the bare metal injector tip. ing the deposits built up in the injectors. This cleaner or any
Each injector shall be screened for fouling capability prior to other carburetor or engine parts cleaner that is proven effective
use in the procedure. The screening procedure is found in in removing such deposits shall be used to clean the injectors.
Annex A2. (Warning—Berryman Chem-Dip contains methylene chlo-
ride, monochlorotoluene, xylene, ethyl phenols, and xylenols
6.2 Testing Area—The ambient atmosphere of the testing
that are extremely dangerous if inhaled, are skin irritant on
area shall be reasonably free of contaminants. The temperature
contact, and are carcinogenic.)
should be maintained at 24 6 5°C (75 6 9°F). Uniform
7.3 Rinsing Solvent—A1:1mixtureof isooctaneandxylene,
temperature is necessary to ensure repeatable injector flow
or suitable mixture of solvents, shall be used to rinse the bench
measurements. The specific humidity shall be maintained at a
test apparatus reservoir, injectors, and fuel lines between tests.
uniform comfortable level. (Warning—Provide adequate ven-
Approximately 1 L is used.
tilation and fire protection in areas where flammable or volatile
7.4 Test Fuel—A test fuel is either a base fuel or a
liquids and solvents, or both, are used. Suitable protective
homogeneous blend of additives and base fuel. A single batch
clothing is recommended.)
shall be blended before the start of the test.Approximately 8 L
6.3 Laboratory Equipment:
(2 gal) of fuel is needed for a single test.
6.3.1 Analytical Balance—An analytical balance capable of
7.5 Additive/Base Fuel—Some test requestors may require
0.01 g resolution with a maximum capacity of at least 200 g is
thatthetestfuelbeblendedatthetestlaboratoryand,therefore,
recommended. The balance should be calibrated following the
willsupplythedepositcontroladditiveandmay,attheiroption
manufacturer’s procedure and frequency recommendations.
or if a suitable base fuel is not available at the test laboratory,
6.3.2 Graduated Cylinders—Fourgraduatedcylindersof50
supply untreated base fuel. The test requestor shall supply the
or 100-mL capacity, accurate to the nearest millilitre are
deposit control additive and, if supplied, the base fuel in
recommended for use in flow testing.
appropriate volumes and packaging to ensure safe and efficient
6.3.3 Low Voltage Power Supply—A12 V, variable, direct
handling. Blending instructions detailing the concentration
current power source should be used in cleaning of the
ratio either volumetric-based or mass-based shall accompany
injectors.
all deposit control additives. Mass-based measurement is
6.3.4 Ultrasonic Bath—An ultrasonic bath with heating preferred. The blended fuel shall be clearly identified.
capabilities should be used for the cleaning of the injectors.
7.5.1 Additive/Base Fuel Shipment and Storage—The addi-
tive shall be shipped in a container as dictated by safety and
6.3.5 Pipette Bulb—A pipette bulb should be used to draw
environmental regulations. The additive shall be stored in
injector cleaning solution into the injector for cleaning.
accordance with all applicable safety and environmental regu-
6.3.6 Pipette—A disposable transfer pipette should be used
lations.
to fill injectors with the cleaning solution during the cleaning
7.5.2 Base Fuel—The base fuel used for this test method
procedure.
should be typica
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