93 TD27 Engine Stalls Until Warm

[Drifter2090]

Hey, I have a 93 TD27 RHD and when I start up the truck, I have to pump the pedal until the engine is warm (even in the summer, but I have to pump less), If I do not pump it the engine the idle jumps around then the truck stalls. I have tried changing the whole diesal filter unit (including the hand pump) and the problem persists. Once the engine is warm It runs fine and doesnt stall. Anyone know what the problem is?

Thanks

[gv280z]

Sounds like you need an engine rebuild, your rings are worn and not producing enough compression for the next power stroke, so it's taking the time for the rings on the piston to heat up and expand to maintain the proper compression ratio to superheat the fuel air mixture. If you get a compression check performed and it checks out good...then I don't really know what could be making the difference for when it heats up and runs fine...I was thinking fuel pump but I don't think the fuel pump warms up..

 

.I guess you're somehow able to keep it running while cold by keeping the rpm high so there's enough heat leftover to fire the next stroke...it wouldn't be the glow plugs because they're unimportant after the engine is started. Here's a thought..you live in a cold climate, what about the possibility of the diesel fuel gelling up in the lines from the cold and won't flow like it should until the fuel lines warm up somehow...like when people run vegetable oil, it's gotta heat up first...so you keep the engine fed by continuing to ask for fuel....

[Drifter2090]

Thanks for the reply, Is there a way to tell if its the fuel lines? and how could I get them cleaned?

[Slartibartfast]

If you suspect the fuel is gelling up, there are additives that are supposed to fix that. I haven't heard of that problem, though I'm not sure I would've (not much experience with diesels).

 

It does sound like a fuel delivery issue, though clearing up when warm makes it sound like something else. Looks like the EGR system on those has a coolant temp sensor, maybe it's dumping too much exhaust into the engine when it's cold and then shaping up once the temp comes up?

[3rdtimesacharm]

If it still has the EGR fitted you either want to remove/ blank it or clean out the 21 years worth of crap within.

 

Check all the pipes from the injectors back, i'd guess air is getting in the fuel somewhere it shouldnt. Anything interesting coming out of the exhaust?

[Drifter2090]

Hey guys after 9 years of the truck sitting, I got the injection pump rebuilt and no more air getting into the fuel system! The truck is drivable and starts right up. 

 

The issue I'm having now is low power, I changed the oil/filter and air filter, that helped a good amount but the truck still struggles to get to and maintain 100km/h, it will lose speed going up any incline as well. 

 

Should I look at blocking the EGR? Any other things I can try? 

[Frenchy]

How old is the fuel? Regardless of Gas or Diesel it does go bad after a period of time. After 9 years I would not want to have old fuel going through the lines.

 

As for Diesel in general I'm not too knowledgeable on what basic stuff to check.

[Slartibartfast]

My diesel knowledge is (still!) similarly limited, but I would add checking the water separator if you haven't. Pull a fuel sample while you're at it and look for algae or other goo. Might be worth blocking the EGR to see if that helps--if it's easy to get to, it's an easy thing to rule out.

 

I would not be surprised if the rebuilt pump needed some timing or other adjustment. I have not studied it but do have a copy of the TD27 engine service manual on Dropbox, if that helps (I don't remember where I found it or I'd link you there instead). The place that rebuilt the pump might have some ideas, too.

 

And yeah, get some fresh fuel in there before you try too hard to dial it in.

[Drifter2090]

On 9/27/2023 at 6:54 PM, Frenchy said:

How old is the fuel? Regardless of Gas or Diesel it does go bad after a period of time. After 9 years I would not want to have old fuel going through the lines.

 

As for Diesel in general I'm not too knowledgeable on what basic stuff to check.

 

fuel should be all new now, I even ran some diesel injector cleaner through a full tank.

[Drifter2090]

On 9/28/2023 at 5:39 AM, Slartibartfast said:

My diesel knowledge is (still!) similarly limited, but I would add checking the water separator if you haven't. Pull a fuel sample while you're at it and look for algae or other goo. Might be worth blocking the EGR to see if that helps--if it's easy to get to, it's an easy thing to rule out.

 

I would not be surprised if the rebuilt pump needed some timing or other adjustment. I have not studied it but do have a copy of the TD27 engine service manual on Dropbox, if that helps (I don't remember where I found it or I'd link you there instead). The place that rebuilt the pump might have some ideas, too.

 

And yeah, get some fresh fuel in there before you try too hard to dial it in.

 

Yeah I think I may need to replace the main filter, I replaced it 9 years ago and it has sat so its probably not very nice in there lol.

 

Thanks for the link! will definitely be helpful. I definitely may need to get the timing checked on this, not sure where to go here in Canada.

 

Worst case I will follow the timing process on the FSM you linked and yes its all new fuel now.

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

IIRC Nefarious (Ekim Naelcm on the FB page) had to screw around with timing on his TD27. Might drop him a line, though I can't say I've seen him post in a while. I tried to find his post (to make sure I was remembering properly) but of course Facebook is a steaming pile of algorithm and couldn't find its own ass if it had one.