MEP002A just stopped running

[Light in the Dark]

So I finally got some time this morning to wire up my second fuel pump (Aux in) and everything works great. I am probably going to have to adjust the float position in the tank at some point when I am REALLY bored (it filled to a little over 3/4 before stopping)... but I am just happy that circuit works.

Well the gennie was running for about 3-4 hours under load and suddenly just stopped running. I went out to investigate and could hear the fuel pumps still working. I was able to restart for about 15 seconds then it just cut out again (with the pumps still running). Tried a third time and it ran for like 2 seconds and stopped.

Temps are in the high 30s low 40s today. Was about 2 gallons left in the tank this morning, and I pulled from a can with diesel thats about 1.5 months old (just treated this morning with pri-d and PS winter).

Any initial thoughts? Thanks

 

[Triple Jim]

I'll let the experienced diesel guys help you, but as far as filling to 3/4 and stopping, that's normal. The last thing you want to do is push filling it completely and have the switch not shut off!

 

[DieselAddict]

How do the pumps sound? Were they clicking quickly or slowly? Could you hear fuel returning to the fuel tank?

If they are clicking fast they are either moving a lot of fuel (not likely) or have a blockage on the intake side. If they are clicking slowly they are seeing high resistance on the discharge. If they are clicking at the normal frequency (a couple clicks a second) you should have fuel coming back to the tank.

You need to start checking the system to see where the fuel stoppage is located. You can break fittings loose to check for flow at various locations along the loop.

 

[Light in the Dark]

I think the pumps sounded fine... but I would need to prime it to listen again and make sure. Thanks for the line pointers.

 

[doghead]

Clean new fuel filters and system?

 

[glcaines]

Are you sure you have oil pressure? If you lose oil pressure, the genset will shut down. As others have stated, turn the pumps on but don't start the engine. Remove the fuel cap and listen to make sure you have fuel returning to the tank. It is very easy to hear the fuel splashing into the tank from the return.

 

[jamawieb]

You need to make sure the fuel cut off solenoid is not engaged before thinking it's bad fuel. I've had units with oil pressure's switches that failed making the generator shut down in the same manner.

 

[101coolcars]

I have a mep002 doing the same thing right now, I jumped across the air temp switch in the cylinder head and it fixed it (temporarily) I have ordered a new switch. My switch faults when it's really cold out. Hope that helps some...
thanks
terry

 

[glcaines]

Also, if the cover is open, the genset will overheat and shut down, even in cool weather. The cover directs air where it's needed.

 

[Guyfang]

I will add my two cents here. I think its a fuel problem. Lack of fuel. That's why it ran a bit and then quit after the initial shut down. Running time got ever shorter, as ever less fuel was available in the fuel input side of the Injector pump.

If you were running on just the set tank, it would sound like maybe the second of the electric fuel pumps was not pumping. There is a whole bunch of threads here that give info about which electric pumps allow fuel to be pumped through them, even when they have failed. Rusty Stud posted a couple I think.

But this sounds like you are pumping from an auxiliary fuel source, so I would start with the Aux fuel pump. I would check the filters last, if you KNOW that your fuel source is clean. I normally take a bottle and turn on the pumps, open the petcock on the filter housing and fill er up. You can take a gander at the fuel then, verses removing filters, also you can check the amount of fuel being, (hopefully) pumped out. Makes less mess. And please do not forget the aux fuel solenoid. If it fails or is gummed up, you will get no fuel. Do not trust sound. Just because a pump runs, doesn't mean it pumps. Or just because the solenoid clicks/thumps doesn't mean it works.

 

[DieselAddict]

Exactly Guyfang, that is why its important to see if there is fuel returning to the tank before chasing your tail around other things. Its a quick and easy thing that gives you a lot of troubleshooting info.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Are you sure you have oil pressure? If you lose oil pressure, the genset will shut down. As others have stated, turn the pumps on but don't start the engine. Remove the fuel cap and listen to make sure you have fuel returning to the tank. It is very easy to hear the fuel splashing into the tank from the return.

I am not sure... it was running along happy as a clam for the entire duration then just stopped. It didn't run long enough after shutting down for me to view the oil gauge.

 

[Light in the Dark]

And yes, first thing I'll check is the return line. The pump I added yesterday morning is OEM Facet (with suppressor)... both are this style on the machine.

 

[dependable]

Remember there is a screen in the top of those Facet pumps , 7/8 wrench will loosen the top, easy to check & clean.

 

[doghead]

What about the fuel filters?

 

[Light in the Dark]

That will be the first thing I check after the return. I am thinking back to when I first got the set, and Im wondering if I only swapped out 2 of 3 inline filters (I think I had only two on the shelf)... but either way I'll crack all three cans again to look.

 

[Guyfang]

There are only two filters. The third canister has a metal strainer. If you turn on the pumps, and open the petcock, you will see if you have trash in the fuel. Look at the parts manual to see which has filters, and which has the strainer. Treat the "O" rings nice. Easy to damage one.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Going to have to wait till the weekend to properly give it a go... I did tip toe by it earlier getting firewood, and decided to prime it to see if I could hear anything dumping through the return. I let it prime for 30 seconds, and heard not a drop.

Lets go backwards from there...

 

[doghead]

Be sure to clean your pump screens too.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Vent on underside of Fuel Tank cap set to open?