Starting issue now

[robkiller]

So i was running the generator Mep003a and one of the leads came of the battery. This of course shut the system down. I know this is a charging issue but this caused a bigger problem. The fuse on the front of the control panel the dc fuse keeps popping when i try to switch the master switch to aux/prime. It wont blow when turning on the glow plugs or the control panel lights. But once i try to turn the switch to prime/aux or anything else it pops back out. I have no idea what’s wrong any help would be very appreciated.

Please help

 

[gimpyrobb]

Mep---?

 

[robkiller]

Sorry mep003a

 

[doghead]

Unplug your fuel pumps, see if the dc breaker still pops.

I've seen this happen before with the batteries getting disconnected and the capacitor(RF choke) shorts out.

If unplugging your pumps solves the short, plug them in one at a time to figure out which one it is.

You can simply eliminate the capacitor all together. Just cut it out and butt splice the wire back together.

 

[robkiller]

Unplug your fuel pumps, see if the dc breaker still pops.


I've seen this happen before with the batteries getting disconnected and the capacitor(RF choke) shorts out.

If unplugging your pumps solves the short, plug them in one at a time to figure out which one it is.

You can simply eliminate the capacitor all together. Just cut it out and butt splice the wire back together.

So that worked it looks like its the main fuel pump the one on the inside of the gen set. So where is that capacitor located? Does it hurt anything if I bypass it permanently?

 

[doghead]

The capacitor is the thing in the tin/metal that the wire goes through(and has one bolt holding it to the frame).

It hurts nothing to remove it.

 

[doghead]

I circled the capacitors with a red circle, in the picture.

Simply cut the wire on either side of it, and butt splice the wires together on each one (or just the bad one).

 

[robkiller]

I circled the capacitors with a red circle, in the picture.

Simply cut the wire on either side of it, and butt splice the wires together on each one (or just the bad one).

You are the man! I went ahead and bypassed it and it works great. Thanks so much!

 

[doghead]

You are very welcome.

 

[storeman]

Rob,
Looking at the timing on the posts, you are a FAST MOVER. IPAD at the MEP? How is it running?
Jerry

 

[robkiller]

She still starts hard with smoke and studder on one cylinder until warm. I have not loaded tested it yet so we will see. I expect the load test will be the place I see the difference with recalibrated injectors.

 

[storeman]

Glow plug status? Have you done a valve adjustment? Valves are a unit level basic maintenance procedure.
Jerry

 

[robkiller]

Glow plug status? Have you done a valve adjustment? Valves are a unit level basic maintenance procedure.
Jerry

Glow plugs are checked and good. I have not done a valve adjustment yet. I dont know how to do that. I will give it a try. Let me see if I can figure out how. Any tips let me know.

 

[Jimc]

rob as jerry said the valve adjustment is a regular scheduled operator maintenance procedure. there is a step by step all spelled out in the -12.

 

[steelandcanvas]

I dont know how to do that. Any tips let me know.

Here's the link and which TM you should download. Study the TM and become more familiar with your Genset.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?77624-TM-s-for-Generators

TM5-6115-585-12 Operators manual and unit maintenance for MEP-003A Diesel generators.

 

[robkiller]

That does not look so bad. Whats everyone's experience should I be ready to replace the valve cover gaskets? The only challenge I see is getting the engine to an ambient temp of 70 degress when I hope its in the 40s when I work on it.

 

[Isaac-1]

Valve cover gaskets are generally re-usable

 

[robkiller]

Where is the location of the timing port?

 

[Jimc]

flywheel housing. there is a hole with a screw on metal pointer. every valve cover i have taken off the gasket gets destroyed since its stuck to the head and the cover. the gaskets are cheap though and are easily found.

 

[storeman]

As JimC said, flywheel housing, not fan housing. As you stand in front of injector pump, look to the left and you will see the timing hole. Flywheel markings are often hard to find but, once found, clean them up and use a bit of white paint on them to make the future easier. 70 degrees is no big deal. Run the unit for a few minutes before you pull the valve cover carefully with use of a puddy knife and you may save the gasket.