lift and time for injection of the pilot charge is provided until the intensified pressure above plate 71 is vented sufficiently to allow needle 112 and plunger 136 to unseat plate 71 and to move plate 71 upwardly from body surface 24 third the mass of plunger 136 is added to the mass of needle 110 to damp and slow down the beginning of the needle opening event which is an added factor in allowing time for the pilot charge in cavities 104 and 106 to be injected into the engine cylinder before it can be overtaken by the main charge from the larger primary accumulator cavity fourth with needle 110 and its plunger 136 joined as an effectively unitary structure during the opening stroke of needle 110 the upper end 140 of plunger 136 is enabled to be utilized in cooperation with plate 71 to damp the end of the needle opening event when plate 71 is moved upwardly by plunger 136 in its damper cavity 70 displacement of fluid by plate 71 is limited by the constriction between the periphery of plate 71 and the annular wall of damper cavity 70 and by the narrowing constriction between the top of plate 71 and shoulder 73 thereby damping the upper end of the needle opening event by a hydraulic damping action which may referred to as 34 squish damping 34 this prevents needle bounce at the end of the opening event fifth and of great importance in enabling a very rapid needle closing event to be.