Over the last three years, a significant percentage of Reef Fuel Injection (RFI) Services’ budget for investment has been spent on acquiring new technology to increase its competitiveness.

The Germiston-based company, which is the accredited service and warranty centre for diesel fuel injection system companies Bosch, Delphi, Denso and Stanadyne, states that this investment was driven by RFI Services’ covering more than one fuel injection system.

“We have upgraded our abilities on all four major brands. Many other companies only specialise in one brand, while we are at the forefront of all four, which is why we have invested heavily in new technology,” says RFI Services director Andrew Yorke.

“We have invested in pretesting, remanu- facturing, final testing and calibrating the systems,” he says.

The company notes that there has been a massive boost in diesel-engine technology, which has been driven mainly by European and US emission standards that require companies to adopt a system that emits fewer and less harmful particles.

“Manufacturers have achieved this by creating complex electronic fuel systems and engine management systems that comply with these standards, rather than the basic mechani- cal fuel systems that were commonly used in the past,” notes Yorke.

Technological innovation is apparent in the case of fuel systems, where there has been a big shift from using mechanically controlled fuel injection systems to using electrically controlled systems. “When mechanical systems were mainly used, it was fairly easy to test diesel systems, whereas, currently, it is more complicated to test electric systems,” he says.

“The latest electronic injectors include a code that is read by the engine’s management systems’ computer, which is set when the injector is initially manufactured. When you repair or remanufacture, that code changes. However; if you don’t have the right equipment, you cannot create the new code; therefore, when you reinstall the injector, the computer might read the incorrect information.

“Further, a fleet operator may use a range of fuel systems instead of just one and these customers generally have to send portions of work to different fuel rooms, whereas we are a one-stop shop for all those brands,” Yorke explains.

Remanufacturers of diesel engines and components Metric Automotive Engineering does engine component remanufacturing and complete engine remanufacturing, while RFI Services, which is a subsidiary company of Metric Automotive, specialises in diesel fuel injection systems.

“The benefit to customers is that they can send all their engineering requirements to Metric Automotive, in Germiston, Johannes- burg, and the pump work to RFI Services, situated next door, ” says Yorke.

“Metric Automotive and RFI are two companies that have the same philosophy, which gives customers peace of mind because their services are delivered with the same quality,” he adds.

Yorke says RFI Services is also has approved and that the technology and equipment used by the company save customers a lot of time.

Fleet drivers who operate and maintain their own vehicles and original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are the main customers of the company. “They cannot afford to invest in technology because it is too specialised and they also do not have the required volumes to make it worthwhile,” says Yorke.

Meanwhile, RFI Services notes that there is a lack of trained people with understanding of the technology and processes involved in diesel fuel injection system remanufacturing.

“We currently have four apprentices whom we train, but, because there is such a shortage of skilled staff, our trained staff are often headhunted,” states Yorke, adding that the company is forced to train staff continually.

He adds that people are reluctant to train since the training is knowledge intensive, which can be time consuming, but that RFI has an effective training system and, as a result, the company has a good team.

Yorke adds that the skills shortage not only affects RFI Services but also its customers, who, in turn, are also experiencing skills shortages. “Often, when companies are called out to look at problems in the field, technicians do not have the correct set of skills and prescribe the wrong solutions. Our customers are becoming more reliant on our set of skills,” he says.

To stay abreast of constant change and developments in the diesel engine industry, the company states that it is constantly adapting.

“There is a drive towards cleaner, more environment-friendly and more efficient diesel systems from customers who also want to conform with emissions standards while receiving more power and consuming less fuel,” states RFI Services.

Challenges facing the industry include the limited availability of parts, the lack of skills and qualified staff, the exchange rate and pirated products.

Meanwhile, one of the world’s biggest OEM diesel fuel injection suppliers, Delphi, has awarded RFI Services Gauteng its first fully fledged Delphi agency.

RFI Services Gauteng workshop manager Warren Hauser says the new Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models are all running with Delphi diesel fuel injection systems and RFI can overhaul and test all Delphi diesel fuel pumps and injectors, from DP200 to the latest common rail.

“Achieving full Delphi agency status gives us rapid access to technical information, training and technical support, as well as specialised tools and diagnostic equipment. This makes RFI Services the exclusive supplier in this emerging market.

“These electrical systems are the path our industry has embarked on for the future, across the full vehicle population, from passenger to heavy commercial vehicles,” Hauser notes.

RFI was established in 1975 and is a competitive Southern African diesel service centre. All its test equipment is checked and maintained to SABS: 0166 and ISO: 9002 standards.

The company operates one of the best-equipped service, diagnostic and repair facilities in the country using only OEM equipment and genuine parts, says Hauser.