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FUEL AND OIL
While older fuel systems could
tolerate a certain level of fuel
contamination, the newer systems
comprise advanced electronics
and are much more susceptible to fuel
contamination. Hauser says that apart from
having the necessary technical expertise
on hand, Reef Fuel Injection Services has
invested in the latest diagnostic equipment.
Hauser says that the current techno-
logical focus is on fuel economy and emis-
sions levels and that there have been huge
advancements made. He adds that it is
important for South Africa to remain up to
date with the latest international trends.
“If you do not keep up, you get left behind
and the competition can close in.”
Accessing latest advances
South Africa is able to access the latest
advances once these have been through the
developmental stages in the international
arena, meaning that the adoption of new
trends is far easier and efficient. However,
Hauser points out that not all global tech-
nology is applicable to the African market,
which has to contend with remote locations
and difficult operating conditions.
Reef Fuel Injection Services is helping
to reduce the downtime of its Caterpillar
customers by offering an in-field fuel system
diagnosis. “We can pinpoint what the exact
problem is, right down to a specific faulty
fuel injector, which we can then remove
and rebuild, as well as recalibrate the rest.
This provides a massive cost-saving for
our customers in that we are able to test
injectors individually, rather than having
to replace or repair a full set,” Hauser says.
“This is a unique service offering that
places us at the forefront of the automo-
tive repair industry in South Africa,” Hauser
says. He adds that the service is available
for Caterpillar common rail and electronic
fuel injection systems, as well Caterpillar
HEUI (Hydraulically Actuated Electronically
Controlled Unit Injector) systems.
In other developments, Reef Fuel Injec-
tion Services has also been accredited
by Bosch to conduct warranty repairs for
its CP4 common rail direct fuel injection
system, a standard feature on many of the
latest passenger and light commercial vehi-
cles. The latest trend in direct fuel injec-
tion systems is higher injector pressures
to improve atomisation of the diesel,
which results in a more complete burn
and hence less harmful emissions. The
added benefit is improved fuel efficiency
and less consumption.
“These issues are very much in the
spotlight at present, particularly in terms of
rising fuel costs and increasingly stringent
environmental regulations. However, the
latest systems such as Bosch’s CP4 require
specialised test equipment, which is where
Reef Fuel Injection Services stands to play a
major role,” Hauser says.
The company has the capability to
run up, test and report on Bosch’s CP4
system, as well as to rebuild and calibrate.
“The diagnostic aspect is critical, espe-
cially the calibration. If the injector pres-
sures are out of specification, it can result
in substantial damage to an engine. There-
fore the perceived cost-savings of having
such repairs done cheaply at a non-ap-
proved repair facility are very much
short term,” Hauser says.
Growth
Looking at growth opportunities,
Hauser says that Africa is a defi-
nite focus. “We have a few notable
customers and are trying to grow
that market continually. It is a very impor-
tant new market for us and we have the
necessary infrastructure and skills in
place in order to be able to service multi-
national companies.”
Reef Fuel Injection Services is a subsid-
iary of Metric Automotive Engineering, which
is positioning itself as a world-class diesel
engine component refurbishment centre.
“Everyone thinks that engine rebuilds or
repairs can only be done properly in Europe
or America. However, we have facilities here
that are comparable to anywhere in the
world. In addition, it is a lot cheaper to carry
out such repairs or rebuilds locally due to
the exchange rate,” Hauser says.
Metric Automotive Engineering is South
Africa’s most comprehensively equipped
heavy diesel engine and component re-man-
ufacturer. Established as a family business
in 1969, the company has a strong ethos
of investing in both quality equipment and
expert personnel. This attitude towards
customer service and constant product
innovation has sustained the company since
its inception.
It can refurbish large diesel engine
components and offers services such as
cylinder head remanufacture, cylinder block
line boring, milling, honing and boring,
camshaft grinding, crankshaft grinding,
engine assembly and dynamometer testing.
The company continues to make signifi-
cant investments in the latest technology to
improve the quality and capacity of its repair
and rebuild services. These investments
include a new Rottler F109 extra heavy duty
multi-purpose CNC machining centre and a
Berco RTM 575 crankshaft grinding machine.
“This will also facilitate access to the diesel
locomotive and marine engine sectors,
where the engines are much larger than
standard,” Hauser concludes.
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GETTING TO GRIPS
with Africa’s operating conditions
Reef Fuel Injection Services offers a full diagnostic and fault analysis service
to help its customers get to grips with the harsh operating conditions in
Africa. “Fuel contamination is a major problem in Africa, whether it is just
dirt and water in the filling station tanks or buying blended diesel at the
roadside because it is cheaper,” says Warren Hauser, operations manager.
Warren Hauser, operations manager at
Reef Fuel Injection Services, operating
the Hartridge CRI (Common Rail
Injector) machine.
The service is available for Cater-
pillar common rail and electronic
fuel injection systems, as well
Caterpillar HEUI (Hydraulically
Actuated Electronically Con-
trolled Unit Injector) systems.
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