5 Common Cat C7 HEUI Pump Problems (Troubleshooting)

Manufacturers of engines for industrial use can count on Caterpillar to be one of the best. Additionally, this can also be used for large vehicles like coasters and bigger RVs, as they require a powerful engine to pull all their loads. Their CAT C7 engines are among the most popular engines that these buyers love.

Hydraulic actuated electronically controlled unit injection (HEUI) is an injection system that builds pressure by utilizing hydraulics. It is usually energized by the high oil pressure as its hydraulics is operated electronically. HPOP (High-Pressure Oil Pump) is used to transfer this high pressurized oil. This pump is connected to the HEUI system which is the reason it is named HEUI.

The system then uses an HEUI injector that receives this high-pressurized engine oil. The pressure is created when the oil pushes the plunger. With such a durable, strong, and amazing system, Cat C & HEUI pumps sometimes fail to start and encounter other problems.

Cat C7 HEUI Pump Problems

Most users will be able to get a long life out of this product because it has several features. It may, however, present you with a few issues. For example, the CAT C7 HEUI pump might not work. This article should help you fix these problems if you happen to have them on your engine.

1. Change Filters

You should be aware that the filters in your vehicle are one of the most frequent reasons for problems with your engine pumps. Filters are installed over the engine to prevent dust particles from getting in. Even so, they tend to gather a lot of dust, so they need to be replaced from time to time.

It’s most likely the filters that are causing your vehicle to malfunction if you haven’t cleaned your engine in a while. You can replace the filters yourself if you purchase new ones.

A list of videos explaining the process is easily accessible on the Internet if you are confused. For those of you who are still hesitant, you can contact a professional to assist you.

2. Faulty Valves

Two different types of valves are used in the CAT C7 engine. Whenever one or both of them are damaged, the pumps will begin to malfunction. If the IAPCV valves begin to malfunction then they are easily repaired by a simple repair service.

There is really no complicated process to follow around for repairing them. Although the pressure valves will need to be replaced if they’ve begun to malfunction. The engine must be able to support the new valves, so you need to contact the company about this. Your vehicle may suffer from many problems if you get them from a third-party company.

3. Engine Oil

In addition to this, if the oil in your engine has completely dried out then this also causes problems with the pump. It is recommended that you replace the fluid. Your oil can likely be dried up or has become very dirty.

This can be checked by checking the oil stick in the engine. You need to make sure the oil you use comes from a trustworthy company if you want to achieve the best results.

Furthermore, it needs to be filtered in order to avoid more problems for the engine. You should be able to restart the pumps without any problems after replacing the engine oil. As your engine oil mileage duration starts to run out, it should be replaced as soon as possible. A properly maintained vehicle will perform better and last for a longer period of time.

4. Engine Overheating

The basic function of an engine is to burn off fuel particulate matter and for this, they are designed to run hotter. Though it is very normal for an engine like Cat C7 HEUI to get heated up when running, some users and mechanics have complained that the cooling fan of these pumps sometimes fails to start. This fan might not start until the temperature of the pump reaches 235 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overheating is a very common problem with such heavy engines and drivers have to keep a keen eye on engines to avoid overheating. It is recommended to drive at 1100 RPM when driving up on an incline. This will help you avoid overheating. Levels of engine coolant should also be checked and maintained regularly.

5. ACERT Technology Glitches

A fuel or air management system that controls NOx emissions regulations, ACERT (Advanced Combustion Emissions Reduction Technology) is a prominent part of CAT C7 engines. Where this technology has modified the overall performance and environmental safety, it also faces a lot of problems for Caterpillar. This problem is commonly found in CAT C7, CAT 13, and CAT 15 engines.

This technology emerged as a first-generation emission regulating system. There are a lot of regeneration issues with this technology which lead to overall decreased performance of the CAT C7 engine. Issues like clogged diesel particulates filters and turbocharger inlets were commonly reported issues by mechanics about ACERT technologies in these heavy engines.

How CAT C7 HEUI Pump Operates

The CAT C7 HEUI pump works on a very easy and direct principle. The engine oil pump sends fuel into the high-pressurized oil pump (that is the main component of HEUI). The pressure is exerted on the pump and it is converted into high-pressure oil in HPOP. PCM helps to calculate the overall load of the engine that is used to determine how much pressure the oil will have.

The common range of this oil pressure is maintained at 450 to 3600 psi. The pressure generated by this oil pump controls the IPR that controls the oil pressure and brings it to the desired levels.

This pressurized oil is then transferred to the next part of the engine which is the cylinder head. The cylinder head is a part of the engine that has barrels.

HEUI injectors, which are one of the most prominent parts of the whole system, receive oil from Barrels. The oil compartments present in the HEUI injectors are enclosed by solenoids. These injectors not only receive oil from barrels but the injectors also get oil from the oil pump itself.

PCM is notified when the injectors are ready to receive oil. This is done with the help of a sensor cam located on the upper side of harmonic dampers.

How To Know If The HEUI Pump Is Not Working Properly?

The most common problem with fuel pumps like CAT C7 HEUI is the low or no engine output . It is very important to keep an eye on your fuel pump system because there are some prominent signs that can tell you when your HEUI pump is not working properly. You have to look out for these things so that you can save your pump from encountering major problems that can cost more.

1. Having No Power

If injectors of the HEUI pump fail to work properly, the overall performance of the pump is reduced significantly. This means that the pump has no power. This can occur due to the failure of HPOP as it might not be delivering desired pressure. This can also happen due to faulty solenoids.

Whatever the reason is, this condition of less or no fuel pressure can lead to problems like bad combustions that can reduce the overall output of the engine. This very low pressure of oil can also be due to your usage of engine oil. If you use engine oil that is not suitable and recommended for your engine, it can lead to problems like these.

2. Having No ignition

Every time there is a problem with the HEUI pump, it fails to start. This means there is no ignition. The reason for this can also be the low pressure of engine fuel. The reasons can include oil leaks when the injector is not closed. No fuel will get atomized if the low oil pressure fails to open the nozzle of the injector.

3. Wear And Tear

Your HEUI pump can get worn out if you are using low-quality diesel that contains ultra-low constituents of sulfur. Although these pumps are subjected to wear and tear problems with the passage of time, the use of low-quality diesel and fuels can speed up the process. This can affect the complete system of the engine. Keep an eye on the apparent condition of your engine.