Runaway diesels

[oldpilgrim]

I've been looking at videos of runaway diesels and noted that I have no fuel shutoff on my 3016. I've been looking at electrically operated valves that would simply require a flip of a switch to stop the fuel coming from the tank. But then I thought, I can't see how this thing could runaway given that it has a gravity feed supply and only a high pressure injector pump which will shut off when the 'ignition' switch is turned off. I suppose it is technically possible that the IP relay could somehow fail and jam in the contacted position. But understanding how a relay works, that seems very unlikely and would take something like the relay covering collapsing on the contractors jamming the insides, which I just can't see happening.

Am I correct in saying that it's virtually impossible to have a runaway on my tractor? Should I stop thinking about this?

 

[Gunny]

I'm not going to tell you that it would never happen to you, but the chances are so remote that I wouldn't worry about it.

And from the way I understand it, if a runaway situation does occur, about the only thing that will stop it is completely shutting off the air flow. Some runaways will consume the oil in the crankcase if they don't have fuel.

 

[mrmikey]

.....bout the only thing that will stop it is completely shutting off the air flow...

.
Yup, the fuel can come from the sump oil. I think it was a Chinese tractor that a fella was telling me about quite a while ago, had back in the woods and was running it sideways on a hill, the sump oil got sucked into the crankcase breather and she went nuts, till the oil was down low enough to starve it for fuel............Mike

 

[hillwood]

I would not worry about your diesel engine running away on you. They usually run away from engine oil blow buy into the intake air system.
Blocking the air intake is the only way to stop it if this happens.

 

[RNeumann]

I haven't seen or heard about a run away diesel for years. The last rig we had with an "emergency fuel shutoff" was from the early 1980s. With the computer controlled engines it would be near impossible.
If you have the time and desire go for it. But I don't think you will ever use it. Someone a few decades from now will sit on the machine and think WTH?

 

[SedonaDave]

I've been looking at videos of runaway diesels and noted that I have no fuel shutoff on my 3016. I've been looking at electrically operated valves that would simply require a flip of a switch to stop the fuel coming from the tank. But then I thought, I can't see how this thing could runaway given that it has a gravity feed supply and only a high pressure injector pump which will shut off when the 'ignition' switch is turned off. I suppose it is technically possible that the IP relay could somehow fail and jam in the contacted position. But understanding how a relay works, that seems very unlikely and would take something like the relay covering collapsing on the contractors jamming the insides, which I just can't see happening.

Am I correct in saying that it's virtually impossible to have a runaway on my tractor? Should I stop thinking about this?

"electrically operated valves"....Your looking for a 12 volt solenoid valve.

-NEW- Solenoid Valve 1/4" Normally Closed (N.C.) 12VDC Nylon (NEW Improved Crack-resistant Polymer) Blue Cap by U.S. Solid: Industrial Solenoid Valves: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Not sure what diameter your fuel line is?

 

[Billrog]

I had a Case tractor run away when the fuel rod in the pump stuck turned the valve off at the sediment bowl to stop it because it was the quickest way with that tractor.

 

[Egon]

In situations where the air is combustible runaways can occur. Many industrial sites will require a positive air on any Diesel Equipment.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I haven't seen or heard about a run away diesel for years. The last rig we had with an "emergency fuel shutoff" was from the early 1980s. With the computer controlled engines it would be near impossible.
If you have the time and desire go for it. But I don't think you will ever use it. Someone a few decades from now will sit on the machine and think WTH?

Check youtoob. Theres lots of them.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I had a Case tractor run away when the fuel rod in the pump stuck turned the valve off at the sediment bowl to stop it because it was the quickest way with that tractor.

There is no shutoff anywhere and having to remove the side of the 3 piece hood is not easy with a runaway engine screaming at you just inches away.

 

[oldpilgrim]

"electrically operated valves"....Your looking for a 12 volt solenoid valve.

-NEW- Solenoid Valve 1/4" Normally Closed (N.C.) 12VDC Nylon (NEW Improved Crack-resistant Polymer) Blue Cap by U.S. Solid: Industrial Solenoid Valves: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Not sure what diameter your fuel line is?

I was looking at that before I posted.

 

[RNeumann]

Check youtoob. Theres lots of them.

We have several diesels and have had several for decades. It used to be normal to have a factory emergency shut off. But our fleet hasn't had an emergency shut off since the 1980s.

Not saying it doesn't happen. I'm saying it hasn't been an issue that required a factory fuel shutoff for decades.

 

[WM75Guy]

Most newer diesels don't have a purely mechanical fuel pump, there is an electrical cutoff somewhere in the system. When I first started in the fire service everything was mechanical and the only way to stop the diesel engine was to pull the fuel shutoff knob. I have never seen a runaway situation where a fuel shutoff would have stopped the engine. It was always caused by another fuel source such as natural gas, oil, or spilled products. As others have said cutting off the air is the only solution.

The fuel shutoff did come in handy when one of the firefighters was backing a 1970 Mack up the ramp into the station and lugged the engine down to low RPMs. It was in reverse and rolled forward causing it to start running backwards. Fuel shutoff came in handy then.

 

[tjkubota93]

I saw 2 trucks at work do it.
One was an international that had twice as much oil as required put in. It ran until it made a loud pop and quit.
The other, a freightliner that had a bad turbo. After installing the new one, the tech cranked it up. The intercooler was full of oil from the bad turbo. It ran faster and faster until the flywheel exploded.
Like they said, you have to cut off the air.

 

[notuck]

A CO2 fire extinguisher will stop a runaway dead in its tracks. Direct the discharge at the air intake and spray till the engine stops. The carbon dioxide displaces all oxygen and doesn't allow combustion to take place inside the cylinders.

 

[Petrol and Powder]

A CO2 fire extinguisher will stop a runaway dead in its tracks. Direct the discharge at the air intake and spray till the engine stops. The carbon dioxide displaces all oxygen and doesn't allow combustion to take place inside the cylinders.

/\ THIS !! /\

 

[Oldoak]

The JD2350 I owned had a 12V solenoid actuated valve to cut off the diesel fuel and a manual fuel cut off. I could either one to kill the engine.

 

[DLTTrekkers]

Overfueling from an oilbath airfilter or a broken thermostart valve will cause that also !

 

[Lockport]

Yippurs, gotta pop the hood, rip the little rubber doo-hickey off the air intake spout and cover it with the palm of yer hand. Shut off the sediment bowl too if yer have one.

Sent from my LON-L29 using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[rokit]

Yeah, the normal fuel delivery system will not result in a runaway. Runaways happen because of dorked up governors in the injection pump (i.e.: someone messed with it mechanically) or a rampant oil-scavenging situation.

A shutoff petcock added in would be nice for fuel filter servicing, though.

ETA: the 1526/3016 actually do have an electric lift pump. I was mistaken in another post when I thought they did not. If you shut the key off, the fuel will stop flowing to the injection pump.