MEP-802 starting issue

[mnb123]

If I run my generator then let it sit for a week, it will start right up. If I let it sit longer than a month, it will usually not start, sometimes it will "start" on one cylinder and will run at starting speed but will not get up to normal speed and I have not let it run longer than a few seconds to see what would happen. I can crack the line on the second injector (further from the fuel pump) and get some fuel out and it will start fine and will restart fine unless I let it sit for a little while. While running after tightening down the fuel line I am not getting any fuel out so I am assuming that I am not getting air the other direction while it is sitting not running.

Perhaps I would be getting air coming in from the return line somewhere but I would think that I would have fuel leaks showing while it is running if that were the case.

Has anyone seen this and can give suggestions on how to resolve it?

 

[DieselAddict]

Couple of things,

First - What do you mean by starting speed? Are you saying you close the "throttle" and idle the unit when you shut down?

Second - Initial gut feeling based on your description would be an injector issue. One way to test the theory is to swap injector locations and see if the problem moves.

 

[mnb123]

1 - normally the engine doesn't get up to 1800rpm on the starter, the starter drops off and then the engine will bring up rpm to operating. when it is operating on one cylinder in my instance, it is still operating at starting speed (what you would see if you had the switch in crank) but doesn't increase and is also pouring out smoke
2 - is the theory that the injector isn't snapping closed and letting air into the lines?

 

[DieselAddict]

OK, 1 makes sense with just one cylinder firing. Wanted to make sure you weren't idling the set down.

It sounds like you are loosing prime in the line between the injection pump and the injector. Since you say there is no external leak it has to leak back into the cylinder or back into the fuel rail OR maybe into the oil sump.

The reason I suggest moving the injector is it will let you know whether the problem is an injector or the pump. Moving the injectors are less challenging than moving the pumps since there is no risk of having issues with the fuel rack that runs down beside the pumps getting out of place when the pumps are removed.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Have you manually articulated the fuel rack open and closed.... how does it feel?

 

[Daybreak]

Are you starting the unit properly?
Do you have the manuals?
Did you replace all the fuel filters?
Did you re-seat the fuel canister cup correctly with its small rubber gasket?
Have you primed the fuel system?
Turn S-1 to prime and run and wait. keep waiting. wait some more. Turn S-1 to start and hold it there, wait, wait, wait, oil pressure up, release.