mep-005 1987 won't stay running

[Xiphiasman]

was running and now it won't stay running more than 20 seconds
after suggestion from sewerzuk (see quote) I have changed fuel filters and cleaned all fuel lines, clean fuel pump filters, checked all 90's, steam cleaned day tank, checked injector return line, made sure all fitting tight at injectors, put a meter and even open IP to see if solenoid was engaging all check out, clean filter in front of IP. no warning lights still only 15 to 20 second. Do i have a bad pump or an air leak
Matt

This is almost certainly a fuel problem...
Normal things to check (even if you do see some fuel available at the IP):

1. Leaks in the fuel supply line (including in the fuel filters)
2. Fuel level in the day tank (includes operation of the lift pumps, solenoid valve, and float switch)
3. Clocked/blocked fuel filters and/or fuel line
4. Air in the fuel line
5. Blockage in the fuel return line
6. Faulty/defective injection pump

 

[Sephirothq]

How about the check valve on the return side of the injection pump?
I am referring to where the t comes out of the injection pump to the return line.

 

[Xiphiasman]

Yes i did pull the tee and cleaned and checked that bead/ball was there

I missed this part of a thread from sewerzuk
"You can check several of these things by turning the start switch to run, disconnecting the fuel line to the IP, and let it flow about 1 gallon into some kind of a catch can. It should take less than 1 minute to fill up the can...if the flow diminishes quickly, you have some kind of issue upstream."

mine doesn't diminishes it just takes 4 minute to fill a gallon
I'll start at the lift pumps I already had cleaned those filters maybe the checks are stuck in those
always looking for help thanks

 

[PeterD]

... it just takes 4 minute to fill a gallon
I'll start at the lift pumps I already had cleaned those filters maybe the checks are stuck in those
always looking for help thanks

Check the front most filter and its lines. The day tank gravity feeds that filter, then again gravity feed to the injection pump. The fuel pumps only feed the day tank (through the rear filter, and the water separator) so if the day tank is being properly filled then they are probably OK.

 

[319]

Yes i did pull the tee and cleaned and checked that bead/ball was there

I missed this part of a thread from sewerzuk
"You can check several of these things by turning the start switch to run, disconnecting the fuel line to the IP, and let it flow about 1 gallon into some kind of a catch can. It should take less than 1 minute to fill up the can...if the flow diminishes quickly, you have some kind of issue upstream."

mine doesn't diminishes it just takes 4 minute to fill a gallon
I'll start at the lift pumps I already had cleaned those filters maybe the checks are stuck in those
always looking for help thanks

They can hold a lot of crud, I cleaned mine two or three times, ended up punching the glass ball out, removing the spring and flushing with brake cleaner, and it ran fine afterwards.

 

[Xiphiasman]

pulled both pumps un did clips pulled out bead spring and shaft looks like one pump wasn't working
cleaned both put them back together and put them in. big difference in the noise they make now.
still get a 4 min fill on a gallon Day tank full of fuel I also cleaned the tee on top of the IP that ball is also free and moves easy. Fire it up ran for about 3 minute and lost rpms and shutdown as if staved for fuel again.

 

[derf]

I assume you hold the switch in the start position for 15 seconds or so after it starts running. On some gens this is mandatory so the safety switches don't shut them down. If it is shutting down 20 seconds after you turn the switch from start to run and stays running as long as you hold the switch in start then you can check the safeties.

 

[Xiphiasman]

yes i do to but just to flash to get the gauges and get the oil pressure up
I'll try the 15 seconds it got to be something easy its been running

 

[Xiphiasman]

no go still wont last over 15 seconds

 

[derf]

Solenoid shutting it down or is it something else?

 

[Xiphiasman]

what solenoid should I be looking for and where?

 

[PeterD]

Run solenoid, part of the injection pump. Two wires on the top of the pump (one +24V other ground) which should have 24 volts while running. If for some reason that voltage goes away, it will shut down. There is also the lever on the side that must be wired towards the end of the pump where the injector lines are--if it moves the other way it too will shut down the engine.

 

[derf]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/auxiliary-equipment/50444-mep-005-fuel-injection-pump.html

This may help some.

 

[buck]

Is your day tank plastic or the metal style tank? I remember William from Delk's telling me once that the on plastic versions the top will settle causing the pickup line to come in contact with the bottom of the tank and plugging it. The fix he suggested was to cut a piece of 2x4 the appropriate length and get it in there through the fill opening to support the top of the tank keeping the pickup line off the bottom. Just a thought, Hope you get it figured out.

 

[Xiphiasman]

Problem was the tee on top of the IP i've cleaned it several time (4x) (cause of other post on this site) looks like I will be needing an impeller soon cause the stuff that keep clogging the the ball look like coffee grinds. flushed the IP pump to get as much of the micro black particles out remove the brass fitting with the check ball replaced it with one without and been running for 20 minutes now about to start putting more load on.
will I have problems running without the check ball? I still have it just incase
Thanks for your help

Buck thanks I have a stainless tank steam cleaned it yesterday

 

[Xiphiasman]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/auxiliary-equipment/50444-mep-005-fuel-injection-pump.html

This may help some.

wish I would of seen this yesterday
Thanks

 

[319]

Thats a good industrial sounding motor when its running, isn't it?

 

[Xiphiasman]

planning on using it off the grid on my ranch/hunting club power office trailer (100 amp A/C) and 3 travel trailers when there

 

[212sparky]

what is the source of the black crud. My 004 had the tee plugged and i pitched the check valve for a normal one. Gen set runs great as is.

 

[Isaac-1]

The "coffee grounds" are caused by the fly weight retaining ring inside the injection pump coming apart.

You need to have the pump rebuilt or at a minimum have the flyweight retaining ring replaced.

Ike

p.s. note stanadyne pumps build after the mid 1980's use an improved rubber compound for the retaining ring that is much less prone to this type of failure. I am somewhat surprised to hear of this on a 1987 generator, but it is possible you ended up with one of the last of the ones with the old style rubber ring.