JD 820 3 cyl diesel fuel problem

[fullchoke]

Hello, I bought this tractor at an auction so there is no known history except what is dismantled and missing. I don't have any experience with tractor repair and I'm stuck. I believe the tractor has not been run in over 10 years. Electrical connections everywhere were corroded. The fuel pump was missing, and the fuel filters were bypassed with a rubber hose and a tiny in line filter. Somebody may have been attempting to start it with an electric fuel pump. There was black goo in the bypassed old filter bowls and in the rubber line. I put on new filters and hooked back up the steel lines. One injector was removed and #2's injector line was missing. I think an attempt to start was made without success and the tractor was left, giving up on it. I put a new ignition switch, lift pump, injector, and injector line on, cleaned all the electrical connections, removed all the air from the lines. I can't get any fuel through the injection pump, I'm worried about that black goo which I think came from the rubber fuel line. I can hear the injection pump click when the key is turned on and the engine turns over quick enough. I removed the hard fuel return line on top of the injection pump, and the pump looks empty, and no fuel exits from the open line while cranking. Should fuel pump out the injection pump return line when cranking the engine? If I take off that top cover which I believe houses the solenoid switch, should it be full of fuel?
Appreciate any help and ideas, Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to TBN
Black residue in diesel fuel sounds as if fungus is present in fuel tank.If fungus is indeed in fuel tank a fuel conditioner with a Bio-cide needs to be added to fuel tank. Have you opened drain cock under fuel tank to determine if any water is present in fuel tank? I'll bet metering valve inside inj pump is stuck. One needs to be very aware of where each end of spring under inj pump cover is attached if one decides to remove the cover.

 

[fullchoke]

I removed the tank and dumped it out. This tractor was never taken care of. Dirt was packed over the hydraulic pump and under the tank and radiator. I cleaned all that out while waiting for parts. I will add the fuel conditioner. Does the algae settle to the bottom of the filter bowls and remain clear on top?

If I remove the pump cover will it give me access to the stuck metering valve? Is there any good way to free it without removing the cover, like air pressure in the inlet, or filling the area under the cap with a penetrant through the return connection in the cap?

Is the stuck metering valve a common problem with a machine that has sat a long time?

The tractor shows 1488 hours, but I don't know if the timer is working. The crankcase had a lot of diesel in it, but it sounds ok while cranking so I'm hopeful.

Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

Metering valve sticking in IP has become more common with advent/usage of ULSD fuel. Yes fungus AKA algae normally settles in tank especially if any water is present in fuel tank.

 

[fullchoke]

There was a small amount of water in the tank along with rust. Condensation brought in the water. I figured that was to be expected with how long this tractor was sitting. I had heard about algae in diesel, but have no experience with it until now.

About the sticking metering valve.....how do I un-stick it?

Thanks

 

[fullchoke]

Has anyone encountered the stuck metering valve in the IP, and can tell me what to look for when I remove the cap and the procedure. Sorry but I probably need my hand held on this.
Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

I've never had cover off of inj pump. I thought a member more experienced with inj pumps would answer your question.

 

[fullchoke]

I'm a little bit afraid that I might take the top off and still not be able to fix the problem, or worse create another. Hopefully someone sees this that has been down this road.

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

Send a pm to member "thepumpguysc" as he has good information and advice about injection pumps.

 

[fullchoke]

"thepumpguysc" was very helpful, and I know what I need to do, but I have to get the tractor to turn over with the starter, which quit working. There was fuel slowly dripping off the fuel filter connection. It landed on a wiring harness which ran across the starter, then dripped off on the starter solenoid. I now have no power to the starter. This tractor has a loader on it, so I can't get to the starter to remove it. I have an idea with a ford type solenoid, I'll try to make that work. This has been a stubborn tractor.