Detroit 4-53 problem.
Detroit 4-53 problem.
(OP)
I have recently replaced the wet liner sleeve in my Clark 667 skidder. This is a 4-53 naturally aspirated engine with low hours. Problem I am having is that now that it is all back in the skidder I can't get enough fuel through system. I filled new filters with fuel and went through system from tank to manifold. I am not a diesel mechanic but I am mechanically able to repair almost anything with enough info. My Detroit service manuals say to prime system. I assumed it meant filling filters with fuel. Is there something I'm missing? When I remove the outlet line on pump when cranking it is pumping fuel. Just seems to have air in line and not much pressure.





RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
If you have a way of pressuring your tank - can't put much pressure; warning - you can prime by pushing it up from the tank. I've done that too. But be careful.
I've primed a few (most were sixes and eights) and it isn't much fun. Makes you very careful when changing filters or opening the system to make sure you don't lose the prime. Also makes you very careful never to run one out of fuel.
rmw
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
What else did you do besides replace a liner or liners? Did you monkey in any way with the injector linkage? Was any of the governor linkage changed? Did you take any injectors out? Is the return line to the tank flowing anything?
If you are pumping enough fuel for it to run at all, (unless you have an air leak on the pump suction somewhere,) you should clear out the air in the fuel lines and begin to run OK.
rmw
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
rmw
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
With a priming pump, you pull fuel up from the tank, push it through the filters, push it through the head (yours leaked out when you had the head off) and, of course, out the return line. But in the process, you get a good air free hydraulic lock.
As it is now, you have air at some or possibly various points along the fuel train, and you will never have success until you prime it and get the air out.
As I stated in an earlier post, Detriot had a dedicated piece of equipment that all Detroit mechanics kept around but I made one by adapting a hand cranked barrel pump, so I never bought one. I seem to remember that there were electric (vehicle voltage - 12 V in our world) models too.
I toyed with the idea of putting fuel (didn't have an exact plan as how to do that - vacuum it in maybe) in a small Freon cannister and then pressurizing it with air and turn it up side down letting the pressure push the fuel through the system. As long as I had that old ridiculous looking barrel pump rig I never needed to move forward with that plan.
I only had to prime a couple of times over 25 years of messing with Detroits, so the barrel pump was all I needed. But when I did need to prime, nothing else would do. The pump you need has to be the type that will pull up from the tank without itself needing to be primed initially.
rmw
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
Did you ever get the damn thing started???
RE: Detroit 4-53 problem.
However, I just found this in a bus enthusiasts forum and thought I'd paste it here for the record.
Paste follows:
Install a Schrader valve at the fuel filters, go get a new air tank at WalMart,
partially fill it with diesel and pressurize it with air. If you run the engine
out of fuel, attach the hose with the clamp on chuck, turn the tank up on end
and open the valve on the tank. Cheap and easy way to get the system primed. I
keep mine onboard and have had to use it twice. Mainly keep fuel in the tank. I
had to run mine out of fuel to kill it when I could not get the air flap to
close.
Enjoy,
rmw