MEP-002A, will Start, Run then dies....any suggestions?

[1FAST4]

I have a MEP-002A that is our Backup Whole-House power souce. It last ran with a load on it about 6 months ago during a power outage. At that time, it ran for about 9 hours without issue. I normanly fire it up every other month just to keep the batteries topped off (also has a NOCO maintainer attached) but haven't had time due to work and an ill Mom.

Today, went to fire it up and it was a little slow to start but it did. after running for about 1 min, it died. Re-started multiple times and it would only run for 15 to 20 Seconds then die; as it started lossing RPM to die it would start sending gray smoke out of the exhust pipe.

Fuel pump clicking alone.
Fuel is good.
Fuel Filters "Spin on kit" only 3 hrs on them.

Any help with troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scoobyshep]

I have a MEP-002A that is our Backup Whole-House power souce. It last ran with a load on it about 6 months ago during a power outage. At that time, it ran for about 9 hours without issue. I normanly fire it up every other month just to keep the batteries topped off (also has a NOCO maintainer attached) but haven't had time due to work and an ill Mom.

Today, went to fire it up and it was a little slow to start but it did. after running for about 1 min, it died. Re-started multiple times and it would only run for 15 to 20 Seconds then die; as it started lossing RPM to die it would start sending gray smoke out of the exhust pipe.

Fuel pump clicking alone.
Fuel is good.
Fuel Filters "Spin on kit" only 3 hrs on them.

Any help with troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated.

Can you send a video?

do you have both pumps clicking?

Do you run any fuel additives?


my gut feeling is something has gotten gummed up.

 

[mvarnold]

I had a similar issue and traced it to a clogged check valve just before the injector pump. it would not pass any fuel and required soaking in acetone and blowing with compressed air to clear it.

 

[rickf]

When mine did that it was a bad oil pressure sensor.

 

[Chainbreaker]

When mine did that it was a bad oil pressure sensor.

Agree, very common for OPS to fail over time. Try jumping across the OPS pins & see if it then runs. If it does "Run Jumper'd" make sure that Oil Pressure comes up above 40 PSI, if it doesn't turn it off so you don't risk any damage to engine.

 

[1FAST4]

Can you send a video?

do you have both pumps clicking?

Do you run any fuel additives?


my gut feeling is something has gotten gummed up.

Video; I have one but can't figure out how to upload it to the site...says the file extention (..,mp4) is not supported.
Both pumps are clicking.
Yes on additives. I use Pri-D, Stanadyne, Bio Kleen on all stored (little use) Diesel Fuel.

 

[Guyfang]

Agree, very common for OPS to fail over time. Try jumping across the OPS pins & see if it then runs. If it does "Run Jumper'd" make sure that Oil Pressure comes up above 40 PSI, if it doesn't turn it off so you don't risk any damage to engine.

Put a jumper wire in at TB5-8 to TB5-9. Try and start it up. What happens.

 

[Scoobyshep]

Video; I have one but can't figure out how to upload it to the site...says the file extention (..,mp4) is not supported.
Both pumps are clicking.
Yes on additives. I use Pri-D, Stanadyne, Bio Kleen on all stored (little use) Diesel Fuel.

Not sure if i missed it, but i dont see a lubrication additive.

 

[1FAST4]

Agree, very common for OPS to fail over time. Try jumping across the OPS pins & see if it then runs. If it does "Run Jumper'd" make sure that Oil Pressure comes up above 40 PSI, if it doesn't turn it off so you don't risk any damage to engine.

Chainbreaker,
The TM says to check continuity across the two terminals and if there is continuity replace OPS....to me that seems the OPS would be Normaly Open (NO) when not running....wouldn't jumping it just create continuity?

Also, when it was running yesterday (for 15-30 seconds) the Oil Pressure did come up to at or above 40 PSi according to the gauge.

 

[1FAST4]

Not sure if i missed it, but i dont see a lubrication additive.

I haven't used any lubrication additive....I must have missed that suggestion when I did my research here. What is the best practice and product for Lubrication Additive?

 

[Scoobyshep]

Chainbreaker,
The TM says to check continuity across the two terminals and if there is continuity replace OPS....to me that seems the OPS would be Normaly Open (NO) when not running....wouldn't jumping it just create continuity?

Also, when it was running yesterday (for 15-30 seconds) the Oil Pressure did come up to at or above 40 PSi according to the gauge.

its normally open and pressure closes it, the TM is testing a failed closed situation, your possible failure is a failing open. Jumping it takes it out of the equation.

 

[Scoobyshep]

I haven't used any lubrication additive....I must have missed that suggestion when I did my research here. What is the best practice and product for Lubrication Additive?

I use hotshots LX4

 

[Mullaney]

Video; I have one but can't figure out how to upload it to the site...says the file extention (..,mp4) is not supported.
Both pumps are clicking.
Yes on additives. I use Pri-D, Stanadyne, Bio Kleen on all stored (little use) Diesel Fuel.

.
Yes sir... Sad to say we don't host video files here. Gotta upload your video to YouTube (or equivalent), then copy a link to the site.

 

[1FAST4]

.
Yes sir... Sad to say we don't host video files here. Gotta upload your video to YouTube (or equivalent), then copy a link to the site.

Got it. I will try to figure that out.

 

[1FAST4]

its normally open and pressure closes it, the TM is testing a failed closed situation, your possible failure is a failing open. Jumping it takes it out of the equation.

Ok, so just put a jumper wire across the two termanals of the OPS itself and start it up?

 

[Scoobyshep]

yep If it still fails then theres another issue.

 

[1FAST4]

Does this look like the correct OPS? Figured I'd try to find one, or two just in case. It's a Hobbs M4008-15 NOS

 

[Chainbreaker]

Does this look like the correct OPS? Figured I'd try to find one, or two just in case. It's a Hobbs M4008-15 NOS

The part looks the same (physical case) however it needs to be the right PSI... many times they "look the same" but are not the right PSI trip point.

This is the correct OP Switch as listed in the -24P parts manual

47 15 PAOZZPAOZZPAHZZ 5930-01-039-3140 SWITCH, PRESSURE EA 1 1 M-1423-14 74400 309-0177 44940

 

[Chainbreaker]

yep If it still fails then theres another issue.

That's why GuyFang listed the procedure to test both the "Temp Switch and the Oil Pressure switch" in Post #7 above. Though in my experience and other reports, 99% of the time it's the "Oil Pressure Switch" as the Temp Switch usually doesn't fail, it can though if broken terminal or wire going to it loses continuity... but rare!

 

[Guyfang]

You wrote:
Does this look like the correct OPS? Figured I'd try to find one, or two just in case. It's a Hobbs M4008-15 NOS


No. This not the correct switch. First find out if you need the switch. You are getting the cart in front of the horse. Proper troubleshooting saves time and money.

Below is a link to TM's. Yes, I know its for the MEP-003A, the 10 KW. Doesn't matter. They are more up to date than the 002A Books.

All the TM's you need to work on the MEP-003A

All the TM's you need to work on the MEP-003A

www.steelsoldiers.com