Oil & Fuel TC18 Injector pump issues

BuzzyG · May 9, 2012

Hey, Gents!! I have a TC18 that has been running like a champ. During a job a couple of weeks ago, it died and gave off a burning smell with some smoke coming from under the instrument panel. I checked it out and found that there is no fuel getting past the injector pump. I started taking the pump off thinking it would be an easy "unclog" of something.

One of the injector lines was somewhat loose at the pump, so I took it off to see if it was stripped or something. No stripped threads, but as I took the tiny parts out of the pump, I did not notice how they fit together.http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/smilies/new/ashamed.gif

Two questions:

1. Is the first problem beyond me fixing it?

2. How do those little parts fit together between the injector line and the pump?

It is one of those where I really dread taking it to a mechanic with a box of loose parts, so I hope someone can help me like you have in the past.

Thanks!!!

LarryD · May 9, 2012

You may be able to get the parts back in order using one of the exploded views provided in the online parts diagrams, good luck. If you only removed the supply line this might be all you need.

From all I've read regarding diesel injection pumps, this is probably one repair I think I'll just leave to the experts. Lots of critically timed parts I would rather not make repeated attempts to get back in the proper alignment.

I have had to get professional help many times in my life after I "tried" to repair something that looked within my skills. Don't be embarrased to seek this kind of help after you realize it's beyond your skills. I'm sure yours won't be the first "box" of parts a good mechanic has received. :confused2:

Dieseltech · May 11, 2012

What make/model number injection pump is on your tractor? Have worked on injection pumps since 1976 but not sure what yours is. Maker info would help me know what you are dealing with.

BuzzyG · May 12, 2012

Well, I got lucky. I took the pump and its spare parts to a New Holland dealer in Mt. Pleasant, Tx. The service manager put it back together correctly for me. No charge!! Talk about earning my future business for years to come!!!

The root problem: I am pretty sure that something happened to keep the shut-off solenoid from getting its 12v feed to keep the fuel pumping through the injector pump. I will check for burned electrical parts tomorrow.

The service manager guy said that the tractor would run fine without the solenoid even being installed or with the solenoid wired directly to the battery. So I got it back together this afternoon, and I will try one or both of those tomorrow and see if I can get it to run. That will help me move a little closer to finding the exact problem.

Thanks for the help. You guys sent me exactly in the right direction. And I learned that the injectors are not such scary things, though I will not remove one again soon.

BuzzyG · May 12, 2012

Well, I still can't get fuel past the injection pump. There is fuel at the inlet to the pump, but none - not a drop - that gets pumped through the pump even to the bottom of the lines to the cylinders. So I haven't even begun to try to bleed the lines at the cylinder head.

I know it is not the fuel shut off solenoid, because it is not even installed, and the NH mechanic assured me that it would run without the solenoid.

Suggestions are appreciated.

DieselMonk · May 13, 2012

My guess is that the injector pump is air locked. You said that there is no fuel on the bottom of the fuel lines. I am not sure if you cracked a high pressure fuel line at the pump or used the bleeder screw(s) on the injector pump. Usually very close to where the metal fuel lines go from the pump to each injector (see attachment). The bleeding procedure should be covered in your owners manual if it doesn't have a lift pump.

Basically, make sure you get good fuel flow to the injector pump. Ignition has to be off, give it full throttle, bleed the pump until there are no more air bubbles, then try to start it.

Does your lift pump work if have one? If there is a lift pump, crack the injector pump bleeder screw and let the lift pump do the work (ignition off, full throttle).

You also can try to put diesel fuel into the injector pump that way to get the engine to start. I had to use this procedure recently where the engine sits above the fuel tank, no lift pump and the hand pump didn't work.
Turn off fuel valve, ignition off, full throttle, open injector pump bleeder, funel diesel fuel into it as best as you can. Open fuel valve while starting. Don't forget to put the throttle leaver back to idle or quarter throttle.

My Boomer 1030 has a lift pump and the bleeding procedure isn't covered on in my manual, but the bleeder screw is there.

Maybe you can explain to me how you are planning to shut the engine off without the shut off solenoid? It's not so good to starve the pump with fuel in order to make the engine die.

I'd check the soilinoid if it works with a 12V source like a battery and reassemble the fuel pump. Then check if you are getting 12v to the solenoid, with ignition on.

I found a bleeding procedure for the tc18 in a different thread, I take no credit for that.