Sticky fuel shutoff

I read the sticky on removing the shutoff rod, but was wondering what causes the button to fall off the HYD head? I've not had an IP apart, so I'm not understanding how this works. I want to make sure the shutoff works freely before I crank over the engine. I get the impression that the button can fall off at any time, but that also doesn't make any sense. Can the button "fall off" just from moving the shutoff?

There is a clip that holds the button on that can wear out causing the button to come off and also a truck that has been sitting a while will get gummed up and can cause the button to come off due to sludge.
A lot of times it won’t come off unless the hydraulic head is removed though.

No it doesn't fall off just because you pulled the shutdown cable. We've talked about it and tried to guess where the problem lies when the clip let's go and the button falls off. The timing button is always in contact with the tappet lifter and the plunger. The clip only holds the timing button in place when we install the head. As I said we tried to guess the problem one of the thoughts were the plunger sticks in the bore of the head and produces a gap between the lifter assembly and the button. Then when the tappet slams into the timing button it knocks the clip loose then we lose the button.

Floridianson said:

No it doesn't fall off just because you pulled the shutdown cable. We've talked about it and tried to guess where the problem lies when the clip let's go and the button falls off. The timing button is always in contact with the tappet lifter and the plunger. The clip only holds the timing button in place when we install the head. As I said we tried to guess the problem one of the thoughts were the plunger sticks in the bore of the head and produces a gap between the lifter assembly and the button. Then when the tappet slams into the timing button it knocks the clip loose then we lose the button.

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The reason I asked is because I have this Deuce sitting since about 2006 or 7. I had another that was sitting less time that had the shutdown lever stuck off. We cranked on it a long time, and couldn't get but a tiny puff of smoke out the stack. Took the cover off to find the lever stuck, and decided that was why it wasn't getting fuel. Made the mistake of pushing it full on, and it went WIDE OPEN. That wasn't a good thing with the engine bay full of dried leaves from sitting over 10 years. Had to reach in there by feel to find the lever, couldn't see anything. Somebody had turned up the fuel on that truck too, because it had a lot of power once we got it on the road. After reading about the button falling off, I wondered if I wasn't lucky that didn't happen with all the cranking, and the stuck lever. This time I want to have everything moving freely before the starter is engaged.
Would it be beneficial to turn the engine over by hand slowly at 1st before using the starter so there is no violence going on inside the IP?

Guess it all depends on how sticky or stuck it is. If you would have had soldier b hit the starter when it started and you had your finger on the fuel control unit assembly you could have pulled it down to idle or completely back into the no fuel position if it was just sticky. Then there's a problem of people pushing in the cable shutdown back in after shutting the machine off. Then governor goes ahead and pushes the fuel control unit assembly to the full fuel position. Then the truck sits for years and the fuel control unit assembly get super stuck. So stuck even pulling the cable shutdown might not work and it stays in the full fuel position and goes wide open throttle. As long as the fuel control unit assembly is working correctly and you have the timing shut down rod cover installed you would just pull the cable stop out and it will shut the machine down.

the only time i've had the button fall off is when a multifuel has sat a long time and as Floridianson said, it's probably because the plunger is sticky and created a gap .. My thoughts are that and,,, perhaps the button was also stuck to the opposing mating surface and got pulled away from the retaining clip .. The clip isn't strong at all .. What can promote the problem is an operator who did not leave the fuel shut off lever pulled out after shut down and the truck sits long enough for the fuel to gum

To answer your final question, i don't believe it to affect the button whether or not you turn it over by hand .. The button situation is a crapshoot IMO.. Regular use and fresh fuel with added lubricity is what's beneficial to the button and fuel system..

However, turning over by hand is a beneficial check for hydrostatic lock in any injection engine that has sat a long time and one that you are new to ... After that when an engine checks out to be okay and you crank it the usual way, an operator should always pre-crank a multifuel with the engine stop lever pulled anyway, per the TM and PM Magazine articles. Hydrostatic lock is uncommon, however the second it happens you may immediately regret not following procedure

I will have to check if the shutoff is pulled out when last run. I'll hand turn the engine over, make certain the throttle lever moves freely, and open the air intake in case I need to block it. I might let it crank until I see some oil pressure before the initial try too. Thanks for the advice!