Group 11 B 11 01 92 (3484) Woodcliff Lake, NJ January 1992

Engine Product Engineering

SUBJECT: Engine Hydraulic Lock

Engines: All

Situation: A fuel injector which is subject to a mechanical malfunction and

remains stuck in the open position may cause an engine hydraulic lock
condition, i.e. the engine will no longer turn over due to the
noncompressible liquid fuel which is trapped in the cylinder.

Correction: If a vehicle is towed into the workshop with a suspected hydraulic lock
condition, the following repair tips should be applied:

z Remove the spark plugs and rotate the engine manually. Caution:
Do not crank engine over with the starter. Fire hazard due to
possible liquid fuel in a cylinder.

z Check the compression of all cylinders.

Testing conditions:

Battery in perfect condition.

Engine warm - coolant temperature maximum of 95пїЅ F (35пїЅ C).
Accelerator pedal fully depressed when cranking engine.

See appropriate Repair Manual (Group 11) for further information

regarding main/fuel pump relay(s) which must be removed to disable
the ignition system and fuel pump(s) before cranking and also special
tools/adaptors used for the compression check.

Crank the engine until the compressor gauge indicator stops rising.

The compression pressures should be approx. equal for all cylinders

(10-11 bar/143-156 psi). If the compression pressures are all within
specification, check the engine oil for fuel dilution and replace if
necessary.

Note: If the compression is lower i.e. �t; 10 bar (143 psi) in the
cylinder in which a "stuck open" injector has been diagnosed, that
piston/connecting rod may have been damaged due to the hydraulic
lock.

z Remove all of the fuel injectors and check the leakage rate as
outlined in S.I. 13 08 90 (3096).

z Further engine tear down should be carried out to determine the

cause of low compression in the affected cylinder, i.e. bent
 connecting rod, damaged piston, etc. as outlined in the repair
manual.

z The starter drive and ring gear should also be checked for
damage, i.e. missing or stripped teeth.

Warranty Information only.

Status: