Low power Ford 1510 3cyl, where to start?

[ShowroomShine]

1987 Ford 1510 with 3cyl diesel. Engine acts like it has low power and almost sounds like its running on 2cyl. Engine does have a very small amount of blow-by. I havent done anything to it yet, I figured first check fuel and air filters. Then I was going to try to crack each fuel line at the injector and see if anything changes to maybe see if a cylinder isnt firing. Perhaps check valve lash to make sure its correct.

After that, where do I go to track down the low power problem?

 

[kirkawilson]

A recent thread by Beansoup had an unusual repair for a similar problem on his Ford 1500. The push rod on one cylinder slipped off the rocker arm. Other troubleshooting ideas are also mentioned on the thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...rating/360756-new-guy-ford-1500-diesel-2.html

 

[Jerry/MT]

1987 Ford 1510 with 3cyl diesel. Engine acts like it has low power and almost sounds like its running on 2cyl. Engine does have a very small amount of blow-by. I havent done anything to it yet, I figured first check fuel and air filters. Then I was going to try to crack each fuel line at the injector and see if anything changes to maybe see if a cylinder isnt firing. Perhaps check valve lash to make sure its correct.

After that, where do I go to track down the low power problem?

Some blow by is normal especially on an engine with high hours. Checking the air filter is always a good idea when power output is perceived as low. It takes both fuel flow and airflow to make power.
Most problems with low power on a diesel is due to inadequate fuel delivery. the fuel filter, filter head, and supply lines ( clogged or kinked) are the first places to check.Check fuel delivery from the tank also. Most tanks have a strainer at the outlet and that can clog with trash. Are you running with summer fuel? if the temperatures get below ~28F, summer fuel can start to jell. In temps below 32F water can freeze on the fuel filter. A heat gun judiciously used on the filter housing can thaw that and then draining the filter housing can fix the problem.If there is a lift pump, there may be a strainer on it and some injection pumps have strainers on the fuel inlet

Don't mess with anything else until you have adequate fuel delivery to the injection pump.

 

[ShowroomShine]

Ok so I went out this morning and started the tractor. Took a while to start, even with glow plugs. Finally started, cracked the lines and all cylinders are working. Then I let it cool back down while I worked on the cosmetics so I can adjust valves while its cold.

Checked air filter, filthy. I ordered a new one along with engine oil (and 15-W40 Rotella T), a fuel filter and hyd filter.

Then I checked the valves, they were all pretty loose. I got them adjusted as best I know how, and started back up. Still a little hard to start, but it started (40* today). Went and re-tested at the same spot with the box blade where I tested yesterday, and I immediately noticed more power and a little smoother running. I still feel like it should have more power than it does, but it does seem better.

Still has a pretty good amount of blow by, comes out of breather/oil fil/dipstick. When the engine is working I dont notice much steam coming out of the breather.

I'm going to swap the filters and fresh fluids and determine what needs to happen next. I may pass it on down the line as a project for another person, but if it improves enough I'll run it.

 

[ShowroomShine]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10103891903550999

Here is the video of it running showing some of the blowby, how bad is this? Oil is about to get changed but whats in it now seems decent not burnt and its at the right level.

 

[jenkinsph]

Could not open the video but I would change the fluids and fuel filter before going further. As was suggested earlier by Jerry/Montana make sure you have a good fuel delivery too.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Like Jerry said, fuel flow is very important.. as well as air.
Pull the air cleaner off and give it a short test drive w/ the box blade.
With the engine OFF, have someone work the throttle, while you watch the movement at the injection pump.
Make sure its getting full travel.. making sure, the throttle arm is hitting the stop screws..
Cables and linkages wear down over time.
If all that fails to work, you could get the injectors checked & reset.. it would probably help w/ starting also.

 

[ShowroomShine]

Ok I've run the tractor further and discovered a few things that may help get some help in diagnosing the problem.

All maintenance has been done, diesel treatment in the tank, valves adjusted etc. I've put about 5hrs on it. Does not burn any oil whatsoever, oil level is the same as when I started. Still has some blowby, but I think I've only seen a drop of oil come out of the valve breather, mostly just some white steam once in a while. If I hold my fingers over the breather I dont get any oil on them.

As far as the starting issue, that was operator error. When started as instructed by the manual, it starts wonderfully. In fact I started it on a 9* morning the other day, hit glow plugs for 10 sec and it fired right up.

So today I was noticing that if I have the tractor at idle (750rpm) and hit the throttle its pretty sluggish until it gets above 2200rpm and then it really revs high. I do get some black smoke doing this, but thats to be expected. Also while pulling my pasture drag today I noticed if I keep the revs up the tractor does fine even a gear higher than it should, but if I let the engine lug its almost like the tractor falls off the power.

Could this be a injector or injection pump problem? I know the motor has some blowby, but it seems from my research and investigation its not enough to cause power loss (especially with only 710hrs). Perhaps the low power down low or the lack of lugging ability is due to fuel delivery? Would that cause the engine to crap out at low power but be good at high rpm?

 

[ShowroomShine]

Any ideas?

 

[Jerry/MT]

Ok I've run the tractor further and discovered a few things that may help get some help in diagnosing the problem.

All maintenance has been done, diesel treatment in the tank, valves adjusted etc. I've put about 5hrs on it. Does not burn any oil whatsoever, oil level is the same as when I started. Still has some blowby, but I think I've only seen a drop of oil come out of the valve breather, mostly just some white steam once in a while. If I hold my fingers over the breather I dont get any oil on them.

As far as the starting issue, that was operator error. When started as instructed by the manual, it starts wonderfully. In fact I started it on a 9* morning the other day, hit glow plugs for 10 sec and it fired right up.

So today I was noticing that if I have the tractor at idle (750rpm) and hit the throttle its pretty sluggish until it gets above 2200rpm and then it really revs high. I do get some black smoke doing this, but thats to be expected. Also while pulling my pasture drag today I noticed if I keep the revs up the tractor does fine even a gear higher than it should, but if I let the engine lug its almost like the tractor falls off the power.

Could this be a injector or injection pump problem? I know the motor has some blowby, but it seems from my research and investigation its not enough to cause power loss (especially with only 710hrs). Perhaps the low power down low or the lack of lugging ability is due to fuel delivery? Would that cause the engine to crap out at low power but be good at high rpm?

"So today I was noticing that if I have the tractor at idle (750rpm) and hit the throttle its pretty sluggish until it gets above 2200rpm and then it really revs high."Can you explain this statement;".... when it gets above 2200 rpm it really revs high"? Are you trying to say that with no load on the engine when you slam the throttle to high idle it's struggles up to 2200 rpm and then accelerates to high idle? What's the spec high idle rpm of this machine?

If you can put it under load with a drag harrow and pull that for a along time without any problem than you have enough fuel flow for that power output. If you try to pull it at a higher ground speed and it will not speed up or it only speeds up a little,, you don't have enough fuel flow to generate the power to do that.

At idle speed with a load on it, you don't have enough power to start or pull that load so the engine stalls unless you slip the clutch a little and increase the fuel flow gradually as you finish releasing the clutch-just like moving car in low gear.