What are the symptoms of a damaged oil-water separator in a car?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a damaged oil-water separator in a car include engine shaking, difficulty starting, unstable idle, poor acceleration, white smoke emission, etc. A faulty oil-gas separator can cause the engine to shake and produce a sharp, whistle-like sound. Some may also trigger the engine fault light due to an overly rich air-fuel mixture. When the oil-water separator is damaged, water can enter the fuel system along with diesel, affecting power performance and causing a jerking sensation. A damaged oil-water separator can lead to carbon buildup on the valves, which in turn may cause difficulties in starting the engine, unstable idle, poor acceleration, backfiring during sudden acceleration, excessive exhaust emissions, increased fuel consumption, and other abnormal phenomena. In severe cases, it may even damage the engine. A damaged oil-water separator can result in white smoke emission from the engine because the water in the fuel turns into steam during combustion, leading to the appearance of white smoke. The water vapor in the white smoke can damage the high-pressure fuel injectors, causing insufficient engine power and sudden stalling. In severe cases, it can directly damage the engine. Therefore, a damaged oil-water separator should be replaced promptly.
If the fuel-water separator is faulty, the engine power will significantly decrease, making it difficult to start—often requiring multiple attempts to ignite. The acceleration's push-back feeling weakens, and climbing hills becomes particularly strenuous. The exhaust may emit black smoke or show abnormal emissions, and fuel consumption will also increase noticeably. During inspection, you might see water droplets or impurities accumulated in the fuel lines, reminding you to regularly clean the filtration system. Otherwise, the fuel pump and injectors are prone to damage, making repairs more troublesome. Daily driving becomes unstable, affecting safety.
