AC5050 will only start with ether, please advise- we need this thing to run.

[UrbannGuerilla]

Allis Chalmers 5050. Been having issues getting it started (its the summer, in Georgia), it started off as an intermittent problem only SOMETIMES having to use ether to start. Then having to use ether to get it started more and more often. Then that progressively transitioned into having to keep it running WITH small ether shots for about 30 seconds until the engine would keep itself running. First we had the injector pump rebuilt and installed it- problem persisted. Then we installed a new fuel pump, after installing the new fuel pump the tractor started up- but we DID use ether to get it primed. We ran it for 30 minutes or so and shut it off to see if it would restart, it DID restart WITHOUT ether after being off for over an hour. We felt good about the results, should begin spraying tomorrow. The next day we wake up (yesterday) and go to start the tractor to start spraying. Tractor will not start. We attempted to start the tractor WITH ether, and drag it along for 30 seconds or so until it started running on its own. We tried 3 times. It did not start running on its own. We only have this one tractor, peas have been planted weeks ago, its prime time for bugs, its time to spray RIGHT NOW, and we run into this at the worst possible time. PLEASE HELP ME.

 

[RjCorazza]

Fuel, air, and compression are what a diesel needs to run. Have you changed the fuel filters and air filter? If not, I would change the fuel filter and at least look at the air filter.

 

[UrbannGuerilla]

Fuel, air, and compression are what a diesel needs to run. Have you changed the fuel filters and air filter? If not, I would change the fuel filter and at least look at the air filter

Fuel filter was replaced a few weeks ago and air filter was checked/cleaned recently.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Remove the fuel line coming from the fuel tank to the lift pump at the lift pump. There should be a steady stream of fuel flowing out as long as the fuel tank is higher than the lift pump. If it isn't then seal off the fuel tank fill cap with a rag and blow air into the tank. If there isn't a steady stream of fuel then blow air backwards down the pipe into the tank. Hopefully that will get you going. Once your spraying is done then thoroughly clean the tank. Also make sure the tank doesn't have algae or water in it.

 

[RjCorazza]

Bad fuel can clog a fuel filter in a matter of minutes, particularly with bacterial contaminated fuel. Is there any dark slime or specks in the fuel? Don't just assume the fuel is not contaminated with bacteria... Look at the fuel filter element to be sure (if you haven't already).
Other than that, confirm fuel flow by disconnecting lines from the tank out. Check for cracked or poor condition fuel lines that could be sucking air, which could result in a no start condition.
Lastly, I would think a compression test on the engine may be in order. That's about all I got ! I hope you get it running.

 

[5030]

I believe you have used enough either to basically destroy the engine internally. You should NEVER use either to start any modern diesel engine.

 

[jshwhite]

I've seen algae gum up an injector pump so it would do similar to what you're describing. But yeah I would do a compression test. Might have some damage from all the ether.

 

[UrbannGuerilla]

How many PSI should each cylinder average? We got about 250psi per. Compression is 17.1:1 , atmospheric pressure around 14.7 .. would be around 251psi.. right?

 

[thepumpguysc]

300 psi for a compression ignition engine.. minimum.

 

[newbury]

From Google

how many psi should each cylinder average on a diesel engine

Generally, each cylinder should have 300 to 500 PSI, and all cylinders in a single engine should measure within 10 percent of each other. If the compression in the engine is too low, too high or deviates too drastically from one cylinder to the next, you likely have internal damage to your engine.