3000 Diesel Fuel Problems / Questions

Ok as posted earlier, tractor is hard to start but runs fine when its going without too much smoke. Here is what I have found related to the fuel system:
1. getting a little fuel in the oil. Not while sitting, only while running.
2. I did find the thermostat was failed open and the engine never came to operating temperature. I changed the thermostat and now it warms up normally.

I am not sure how much fuel is in the oil as I just bought it and was not sure it was right to start with so I drained and refuilled with new oil. I put in about 6 quarts and have been watching it without starting it. I am going to start it up and run it hard and see if the level comes up and go from there.

here are my questions:

I believe based on what I have read that the hard starting and fuel in the oil is injector related. What would be the cheapest way to go (yes I am cheap). I was thinking of using Seafoam in the fuel to see if the injectors will clean out on there own. If not, I was going to send them to a shop to get them serviced. Is this a good plan? Is Seafoam ok to run in these engines. I know I could take the injection pump off also but I really dont want to spend the money unless I have to.

What are your thoughts?

Diagnostically.. i think you'd benefit from a compression test.. especially if you will be pulling the injectors anyway.. etc.

soundguy

(quoted from post at 07:12:38 11/04/08) Diagnostically.. i think you'd benefit from a compression test.. especially if you will be pulling the injectors anyway.. etc.

soundguy

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you are probably right on that one. Where can I get a diesel compression testor at a reasonable price?

harbor freight sometimes has them.. might be cheaper to hire it done vs buying the tester though.. your call.

soundguy

When I bought my 2000 diesel, it had alot of junk in the fuel. Napa sells a product that is called "DieselKleen" made by Power Service. After adding,running,then changing the filter a few times I haven"t had any problems.If there's a question about compression...I'd follow SouNdguys lead.

Getting fuel in the oil usually means a seal on the fuel injection pump is leaking. You'll want to fix that pronto because it will dilute your oil.

Hard starting, assuming your battery is good, is usually caused by low compression. No easy fix for that. The fact that your thermostat was failed open was probably contributing to that.

Check your air filters also. This machine sounds like it had some neglected maintenance and clogged air cleaners can contribute to low power and high maximum cylinder temps.

(quoted from post at 10:56:43 11/04/08) Getting fuel in the oil usually means a seal on the fuel injection pump is leaking. You'll want to fix that pronto because it will dilute your oil.

Hard starting, assuming your battery is good, is usually caused by low compression. No easy fix for that. The fact that your thermostat was failed open was probably contributing to that.

Check your air filters also. This machine sounds like it had some neglected maintenance and clogged air cleaners can contribute to low power and high maximum cylinder temps.

Click to expand...

What is required to change the pump seal? does it have to go to the shop or can I buy it and do it myself? It has a CAV pump by the way. My IT Manual lists no technical reference for doing this. I have noticed a rebuild kit on this site. Does it come with technical instructions like we used to get with a carb rebuild kit? Thanks in advance.

I have no idea how easy it is to replace the offending seal in your injection pump. Perhaps someone else can tell you. You might try calling an injection specialty shop and asking them if they carry the parts and if it is a difficult job.

If the tractor has a thermostart unit in the manifold I'd look at that to see that it's not dribbling fuel all the time. That could account for the fuel you're finding in the crankcase as well as the smoke.
Beyond that I'd look at the injectors.
Crack them open one at a time when it's at idle and see if they all cause about the same RPM drop. If you find one that doesn't drop, it's likely a bad injector, or at least a dead cylinder.
A compression test won't hurt either but if the tractor isn't burning oil I wouldn't get too excited about that.

If you find an injector carboned up on the tip and obviously not spraying correctly, just have them serviced and go from there.

I don't think I'd worry about the pump seal. If it was bad the crankcase would likely be full of fuel, and full whether it was running or not.

Rod