mep-003a first power run and concerns

[TucsonVTXF]

just did my first run under load. I can run my whole house including the AC and the mep is only running at 50 percent load so I have plenty of power!! my concern is that it sounds like I have a miss under load and I an getting blue smoke from the back exhaust. the exhaust temp was 198 on the front exhaust and 240 on the back. would one think that I have a bad injector? broken rings? my oil pressure is 40 psi when warm and under no load I have no miss or blue smoke... I do not have a compression tester....

 

[dependable]

Could be a clogged injector or stuck rings, since it seems to be running OK, maybe let it run for a while under load and add some injector cleaner to fuel. If it does not clear up, perhaps have Storman rebuild/test injectors.

 

[jamawieb]

Sounds like an injector, possibly not popping at the right PSI or not at all. I agree, have storeman test and fix it for you. He does a great job and very fast shipping.

 

[s011883]

Try putting 1/4 quart of ATF in your fuel and if that doesn't work then pull your injectors and have them checked out.

 

[TucsonVTXF]

I do need to add I was also getting black smoke from both mufflers along with blue from the back at 50 percent load... I have put 2-3 hours total on the unit unloaded since regeneration with no indication of bad rings.... the fuel system was flushed and a diesel fuel conditioner/ injector cleaner was added.. I know its not run long enough for a fuel cleaner to of worked but I didn't want to hurt the unit when I was seeing blue smoke... it was acting like a cylinder wasn't getting fuel for the misfire but the blue smoke concerned me.. maybe I need to add a lil jet fuel to get the btus up and help clean it out.. update... put about a quart of amsoil atf in the tank and will re try another power run an see how it goes!

 

[TucsonVTXF]

ran today for about 45 mins at 25-50 percent load and the smoking went away, all 4 cylinders are working according to the temp probe. I am getting what sounds like sputtering sound but I am making power, looks like I am going to pull the injectors and get them worked over...

 

[Jimc]

definitely remove all 4 of them and have them gone through. i thought mine was running great too until jerry did them. when i got them back it was a totally different generator. there are 3 gaskets per injector you will need when you put them back in.

 

[TucsonVTXF]

just pulled all 4 tonight to get them worked and ordered the 3 gaskets from sears parts direct now the waiting begins!!!!!

definitely remove all 4 of them and have them gone through. i thought mine was running great too until jerry did them. when i got them back it was a totally different generator. there are 3 gaskets per injector you will need when you put them back in.

 

[Isaac-1]

If your talking about the copper gaskets, they can generally be reused a few times, you just have re-anneal them to do so string them on a steel wire and heat them until they glow a dull red by fanning them with a propane torch, it only takes a few seconds, then allow them to air cool for a few minutes before handling.

Ike

 

[TucsonVTXF]

I am slowly working the unit and getting it right for hopefully in 2 years I will be living in power outage country so I ordered all new gaskets and trying tune it in... my unit wasn't treated right in life so I am hoping with a lil TLC it wont let me down..

 

[Triple Jim]

Right, Issac. From my 2-stroke motorcycle experience I've learned that dunking the red-hot copper gasket in water will flake off most of the black oxide, which really ought to be removed before reusing. A little steel wooling will get the rest, but try not to flex the gasket while you're doing it or it will start to get hard again.

 

[Munchies]

I am slowly working the unit and getting it right for hopefully in 2 years I will be living in power outage country so I ordered all new gaskets and trying tune it in... my unit wasn't treated right in life so I am hoping with a lil TLC it wont let me down..

I have a friend out off of colossal cave rd on the mountain there that looses power A LOT...

 

[TucsonVTXF]

I have a friend out off of colossal cave rd on the mountain there that looses power A LOT...

that part of Vail doesn't even have power so generators and solar/wind are the only options..... just got a repair report of my injectors. one was popping at 1600 2 were about 1100 and one not at all so a new fuel nozzle was installed and set to 1750psi... now waiting on new gaskets to arrive and we will see how it runs!!!!!!!

 

[Jimc]

thats about how mine were. i got em back and it was a night and day difference. the power it had when i got them back was unbelievable. i can peg my gauge at over 135% and it doesnt even phase the engine. before it would smoke and start to stall at 85-90%.

 

[Munchies]

Even comparing borderline injectors that pop at the right PSI to NEW nozzles is usually a big differance. it goes from foggy squirt gun to fog machine.

 

[storeman]

I was contacted this week by a fellow looking for a replacement MEP starter. He works in Taos, NM and says the 003a is one of their primary power sources, wherever he lives out from Taos.
Challenging way to live!
Jerry

 

[robkiller]

If your talking about the copper gaskets, they can generally be reused a few times, you just have re-anneal them to do so string them on a steel wire and heat them until they glow a dull red by fanning them with a propane torch, it only takes a few seconds, then allow them to air cool for a few minutes before handling.

Ike

Thanks for this info I am looking at trying to use my old gaskets. I will see how this works.

 

[TucsonVTXF]

I have all 3 gaskets on order for each cylinder and will hold off until they arrive I want to make sure I have no leaks that could cause low compression.

 

[Munchies]

Make sure to use some anti sieze on the steel injector sleeve. The collar that holds the nozzle to the body. It sticks like **** to the aluminum heat sink, it really makes dis-assembly nice.. Also the OD of the aluminum heatsink

 

[TucsonVTXF]

looks like Ambac, WMR2041/7X, Copper Washer, 0.562" Hole Dia. - is a part number for the copper washer. I was able to buy a pack of 25 off the big auction site for 12.00 I will measure the outside dia. and post the results when they arrive...