Cummins STC – Step Timing Control

In 1986 Cummins introduced Step Timing Control to the PT fuel system.

These systems provided the following advantages:
y Reduced start-up and cold weather white smoke
y Improved idle characteristics
y Improved light load fuel economy
y Reduced injector tip/cup carboning
The STC system was used primarily to reduce N0x emissions by allowing an advanced
injection timing during light load and idle operation and retarding the timing at loads
above ~25% of rated torque.
This was accomplished by the installation of a collapsible hydraulic tappet in the top of
the injector. At light loads the tappet filled with oil and caused a timing advance by
causing the plunger to travel downwards sooner. When under load, the tappet did not
have oil supplied by the control valve and timing was consequently retarded. During the
advance mode the injector plunger seated firmly in the injector cup and the oil was
pushed out of the tappet.
¾Oil is supplied to the STC injector under the
correct conditions by the STC control valve.

¾The control valve sends oil to the injector until

fuel pressure overcomes spring tension within the
valve, which causes oil flow to be cut-off.

¾During Normal timing – no oil flow to

injector tappet

¾During advance timing – rail pressure is

low and oil can flow through spool valve
to injector tappets. Note an external
adjustment screw to control shift points.

¾Inner base circle adjustment are

performed on STC injectors