Perkins T6.3544M: Engine Will Not Start

[BlueSky11]

We are are in the middle of crossing the Atlantic frmo the US towards the Azores. Our diesel engine worked well as we left New York, then shut down and will not start. We would greatly appreciate if pepole with specific experience with similar problem share their experience and help out resolving the issues. Details below:

No fuel at all coming out from the High Pressure (HP) fuel pump.
Checked fuel reaching the HP pump and there is no air-lock (or vapor lock).
Checked engine cut-off solenoid and it works (with external connection).
Cut-off solenoid freely moves the linkage/shaft controlling the fuel.

Please provide your practical advise.

 

[dparilla]

I would crack and bleed each injector line starting at the injector, if no fuel at the injector inlet, the tighten and subsequently loosen the line at the injector pump. See which if any of the injector lines are receiving fuel. If one or more are receiving HP fuel, than the pump is fine, but you have a blocked line. If none are receiving fuel, than most likely (based on what you have observed) you have a failed pump. It is possible to remove and clean the injector pump, and if you need it, I can see if I have a perkins manual in PDF format.

I would also double check that there is no water in the fuel, that the fuel is clean (no algae). Either could cause significant issues in the injector pump and downstream.

 

[BlueSky11]

Perkins HP Pump

Thank you for your reply.
No fuel out of pump to any injector.
Fuel is clean, no algae, no air.
Are you positive it is possible to remove and clean the injector pump?! Is there filter & diagram?
I'm getting the PDF now so no need for you to get it - thanks for offering.
Any other ideas are welcome.
Cheers

 

[BlueSky11]

Re: Perkins HP Pump

I meant ... Is there filter and diafragm ... Not diagram

 

[dparilla]

Most likely either the fuel shutoff linkage internal to the pump or the solenoid for fuel shutoff (if you have one) has gone bad. With the top of the pump off, you should be able to see the stop linkage and may be able to free it up. There are some models of Perkins that used a thermostatic fuel shutoff as well, so I would make a good inspection of the wiring harness.

If that doesn't do it, a pump rebuild may be necessary, which is definitely not a simple underway job.

 

[BlueSky11]

the fuel shut off solenoid & linkage work; question is if there's anything to be tried short of replacing of rebuilding the HP pump?

 

[fredr]

This engine has the CAV pump that mounts vertical correct?
The 6 steel lines to the nozzles come out the top, and the line feeding the injection pump enters hortizontal at the top of the pump.
Have you loosened the feed line at the injection pump, pump the supply pump and are certain fuel is getting to the injection pump? This line seals with a rubber grommot, so you have to loosen the line alot and wiggle to make sure there is NO air trapped in the pump.
Also this pump has 5/16 bleed screws to bleed air out.
This assumes the engine ran out of fuel, or in rough weather gulped air.
Have you removed the shutoff and made sure the plunger is free?
If you install the shutoff WITHOUT the plunger the engine would run but you would have to kill the engine to shut it off.
Did a safety devise sut the engine down?
Last resort...The fuel injection pump feed line enters the injection pump into a fitting. Under the fitting is a screen.
CAUTION! there is a spring, plunger in there as well that MUST be installed correctly.
It is rare that the injection pump would just quit.