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Help! recovering underpowered deuce

Mark3395

Mark3395

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OK, I've done some searching and will continue, but am in a time crunch and need to get some work done fast.

I recovered a great 109A3 at Warner Robbins today with only a few problems...

Changed the front left flat tire, no problem,

It was end of day so I departed with a quick check of fluids. Tank was very low so I added about 3 gal of diesel then went immediatly to fill up the tank.

Problem is tha the truck is very sluggish. I have to start out in first to get it moving, but that's partially due to the van body. It's worse though... All gears require anguishing effort to accellerate, and even on the flat 5th doesn't reach 45 mph. It feels like I'm dragging my anchor. 25 in third gear is a challenge uphill.

Idle is 1000 PSI.

The truck starts very weakly... with a period of rough, slow idling that I have to fix with additional fuel, then it idles well.

I checked the emergency brake to see if it's rubbing but no problem there.

Checked air pressure and found almost all tires very low, masked by some at 70 psi. I filled them properly.

Haven't drained, much less replaced filters yet. I'll drain in the AM and visit NAPA for fresh fuel filters.

Noticed a small leak on an injector fitting (I think... must verify) but find no drips to ground.

Left rear hub is hotter than the other, as is the back plate of the brake. I suspect I've got a brake dragging but others are warm but OK.

So I'm 900 adventuresome miles away from home and need to find the easy things I can do with hand tools to get this pig working.

1. Is there a regimen of starting, braking, back and forth, or with some secret gesture that can possibly loosen the hub/brake up?

2. What quick diagnostic/service steps do you recommend to get the engine up to power?

I can leave the truck with somebody for 24 hours to inspect/lube/adjust the brakes or pobbibly adjust the brake tomorrow.

I'm big on searches here and on the diagnostics in the manuals, where I'm going next. Time is short enough that I thought it was to multitask.... ask for help AND go to search and to the manuals.

Still, this is more fun than a day in the office.

Mark
 
Recovry4x4

Recovry4x4

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Mark, the brakes can easily be adjusted with an 11/16 wrench but you will need to jack up that wheel to feel the drag. When ODI and I picked up 2 deuces in TN, he drove one that would only do 48MPH. We struggled with it for a couple a hundred miles making fuel rate adjustments and checking the throttle for full travel, even adjusting it. What we finally found was the no load governor (actually a throttle stop bolt) on the injection pump was adjusted incorrectly. Check to see that your pedal is giving you full throttle. If it is follow this. Attached is a little pic to point you in the right direction. You will see that right above the throttle arm there is a screw and lock nut. If only one is visible, this is the idle screw. The area right next to it should have a tin cover with little tamper proof cables on it. Under that is the high end adjustment screw. You will be able to see how it works once that cover is off. Adjust that accordingly.
 

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jwaller

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you dont know how to properly fix diagnose a deuce but you are going to drive it 900 + miles? I think there is another topic on this right now....

have you checked the brake fluid and all other fluids?
 
drgreg

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RPM, PSI, DOA something with 3 letters. I understood what you were talking about.

The truck should coast on flat ground, if it comes to a rapid stop without applying the brakes, you have a brake problem.
Check your air filter also.
 
jasonjc

jasonjc

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I got a Deuce from the AirForce that has some kind of ***** in the tank. I tryed to get it out but have not been able to get it all out yet. I replace the filter but it clogs them right back up. The truck sound and ides just fine but NO power. I need to use 1st low range and ride the clutch to move it. Take a good look in the tank and check/change the filters.
 
Ferroequinologist

Ferroequinologist

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You should always use 1st gear to start the deuce moving...

Fuel filters, or it could be like mine, turned WAY down.

Another thing, is your intank pump working properly?
 
Warthog

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jasonjc said:
I got a Deuce from the AirForce that has some kind of ***** in the tank. I tryed to get it out but have not been able to get it all out yet. I replace the filter but it clogs them right back up. The truck sound and ides just fine but NO power. I need to use 1st low range and ride the clutch to move it. Take a good look in the tank and check/change the filters.
Click to expand...
Jason, I also got a truck from the AirForce that had a junked up fuel tank.

Take alook at post #13. Your tank may look the same.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/9740-cleaning-out-sludgy-fuel-tank-how.html
 
Mark3395

Mark3395

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OK, I had an interesting day.

I drained the fuel filters and found no sign of significant water or crud in the drainage. The fuel tank looked good... what I could see... yesterday before I filled it.

Looked all over town to find filters but ended up at NAPA... right outside base. Danmed if it wasn't blocked by evidence tape and a bunch of WRPD Officers. Don't know what it was.

Pulled up the manual to adjust the brakes but the lug nuts were put on by a gorilla with an impact wrench. Tight schedule forced me to head to Ft. Benning at Columbus GA. Average speed 35, but the road was 4 lane and I wasn't an impediment to what light traffic existed.

I found a NAPA en route but they only had a primary and a secondary filter. Will replace the primary and the first secondary figuring that those 2 filters keep most of the crud out of the third one anyway, and will find another here in Columbus. I'll use duct tape and cord to lower the filter housings and make a 2 man job a 1 man job.

Had a little fuel blow onto the firewall and seep down the firewall but tightened a couple injector lines a bit and the problem seemed to go away.

Any ex Motor Sergeants here in Columbus that could do a quick brake adjustment (and perhaps change the filters)?

I'll look at the IP adjustment tomorrow. Seems to be not too difficult.

Brakes are another matter. If I don't find a shop that can handle that job expeditiously (like tomorrow) is there a shortcut that'll reduce brake drag? Like turning the adjustment bolt at 12:00 a quarter turn counterclockwise? Or whatever.

If the ramaing drive is impractical I can stash the truck at my daughter's outside Atlanta or a friend at Benning, and come back later. I started this exercise with good manuals, decent tools, and Plans B and C to back me up.

Fuel pump is working fine. I used it to help flush the fuel filters, and after draining I cracked the vent at the top of the secondary fuel filters to evacuate air from them. Had diesel blowing all over the place before I could get it tightened. Yep, sure works good.

Nice truck though.

Mark
 
Recovry4x4

Recovry4x4

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Got a jack? You can't safely adjust the brakes without being able to feel the resistance in the rotating mass. I double caution you on making the adjustment without being able to turn the wheel and feel it. On the backing plate as you were looking at it from under the truck, there are 2 11/16" bolts, one at 10:00 and one at 2:00. If you put a wrench on these pointing straight up, you will rotate it away from the axle centerline to tighten the lines, towards the axle centerline to loosen the brakes. Remember, anytime you loosen them, you will lose pedal height. Be cautious and careful. Did you check throttle throw today?
 
Recovry4x4

Recovry4x4

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rat4spd said:
?? Am I the only one that just doesn't see a need for an unloaded duece to be in first gear?
Click to expand...
There are other reasons for this, it's a good practice with sprag trucks. Some unloaded trucks take off well in 2nd, some don't. My M275A2 couold stomp away in 2nd, My M108 just won't go without using first. I would imagine a shop van could be harder to get moving than a cargo.
 
gimpyrobb

gimpyrobb

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Recovry4x4 said:
There are other reasons for this, it's a good practice with sprag trucks. Some unloaded trucks take off well in 2nd, some don't. My M275A2 couold stomp away in 2nd, My M108 just won't go without using first. I would imagine a shop van could be harder to get moving than a cargo.
Click to expand...

To add to what Kenny posted, the second gear in the deuce trans is weak. Maybe not the gear, but the keyway that holds it in place. Many deuces have sheared it off! Please be carefull.
 
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