CAV BPF injector pump

[Man 'o Kent]

Has anyone any experience of why one element of a CAV BPF injector pump fitted on a 40'ish year old RN might be refusing to pump fuel?

The system has been bled following running out of fuel. (Twice!) The other element is is pumping fuel OK.

My main suspect is the non-return valve atop the suspect element. Any tips/tricks to encourage it back into action would be most welcome.

An added complication is that I am trying to solve this problem remotely, I am 40 miles away and in the Covic "high risk" age group. Thankfully while the owner is mechanically inexperienced she is savvy, a good learner and will  follow  instructions. If then the recommendation is to have the pump professionally serviced are there any recommendations where to go in East London?

Finally, is there anything in particular to be wary of regarding timing should the pump have to be removed from the engine?

[BEngo]

I assume the injector pipe is clear?

Otherwise,

Quite possibly one element is stuck..  To check this clean the outside of the pump and pipework carefully.  Then remove the injector pipe and the delivery valve holder.  ( The thing which the  injector pipe nut screws onto.) With clean fingers or  new fuel proof latex gloves on remove the delivery valve and spring.    These are visible when the holder is removed.Only use fingers.  No tools.  Put the valve and spring in a clean small jam jar full of clean diesel. Refit the delivery valve holder.

 

Open the throttle wide and put the decompressors in then turn the engine over by hand.  Fuel should squirt  fairly feebly from the hole in the delivery valve holder. There will be a lot of dribbling which will stop just before a squirt once every two turns.  If it does not the element is stuck.  You can try waggling the rack to and fro, but that may mean dismantling the governor linkage to be able to waggle it.

 

Even if a rack waggle  frees things up I would want to know why it got stuck,  and that is a specialist job.  I suspect running out of fuel may have dislodged some dirt which is causing a jam.

 

If you remove the pump it is necessary to check the spill timing after refitting it  but it probably will not need adjusting.

 

If fuel comes out OK  then remove the delivery valve holder and refit the valve and spring.   Keep everything clean.   Cleanliness is much more important than godliness here. Put the holder back and with the throttle wide open rotate the engine by hand. Fuel should squirt out of the hole, slightly more enthusiastically and there should be no dribbles. If that is OK refit injector pipe and  bleed through. Then try a start.  If not the delivery valve is sticking.  Specialists time again because the valve and seat are a matched  pair and changing the seat means dismantling the pump, I think.

 

Cannot help with East London diesel wizzards, sorry.  Bizzard may be along shortly. 

 N

[Tracy D'arth]

I have had springs rust due to water in the fuel but I don't know this pump. Bengo seems to be well versed to it.

[Man 'o Kent]

Thank you Bengo, your thoughts confirm much of what  I suspected.

 

Been in the engineering game for a working life including engine R&D so I am only too aware of the limits & fits on these components.

Given distance and other problems I think it is a "pump off and get it seen to" job.

 

It is interesting to note that after the first dry tank the suspect element did pick up once the engine started on the other cylinder and then proceeded to run happily on both cylinders until she did it again.

 

It now seems she has exhausted the starter battery, the hand start has been disconnected or is broken so she is  in real trouble!

 

[BEngo]

I would rather teach granny to suck eggs than have someone cause damage because I assumed they would understand the essential precautions.  You said that your friend was mechanically inexperienced and I also like to hope that someone with a similar problem might use the search facility and find the information both useful and complete enough for a novice.

 

 It rather does seem that the pump off will be easiest.   I would send the injectors with it for a clean and reset, as if there is dirt where it ought not to be you don't want it to move to an injector after all the hassle of getting the pump working. 

If the hand start is not working she might just be able to turn the flywheel enough by hand or  using the alternator belt, to check the pump, provided the decompressors still work.

 

N

PS.  instruction manual here:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Hunter_gen_14674753.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjMhJKqz8_tAhUuaRUIHaGUBVAQFjAEegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw0jvF1zr87AA4HiEWXdS7R_Q

Edited December 15, 2020 by BEngo

[Man 'o Kent]

Bengo thank you for your contribution. I do rather like your idea of submitting the injectors for checking along with the pump.

From previous experience this engine has always been a willing starter and never missed a beat while I was several weeks on board. It produces a much complimented exhaust note, minimal smoke and good oil pressure, I'd rate the engine's condition as excellent.

The situation with the hand start is a bit odd. I do not know the history of the engine but it would seem that the hand start might have been deliberately disconnected if not broken. Certainly the starting handle is present but the manual decompressors have been locked down. All a little odd but with such a sweet starter it was "one of them 'fing wot I'll investigate manana".

It is all very frustrating, I have the kit and experience to address the problem, even the equipoment for testing injectors, but age, Covic and distance preclude my getting "hands on"  She on the other hand is more than averagely intelligent and capable of following instructions.  What she lacks is "touch", that certain "feel" that only come from experience. Her tool kit is somewhat limited too.

 

Think I'll buy her a pair of oars for Christmas or maybe a horse . . .

 

[BWM]

36 minutes ago, Man 'o Kent said:

Bengo thank you for your contribution. I do rather like your idea of submitting the injectors for checking along with the pump.

From previous experience this engine has always been a willing starter and never missed a beat while I was several weeks on board. It produces a much complimented exhaust note, minimal smoke and good oil pressure, I'd rate the engine's condition as excellent.

The situation with the hand start is a bit odd. I do not know the history of the engine but it would seem that the hand start might have been deliberately disconnected if not broken. Certainly the starting handle is present but the manual decompressors have been locked down. All a little odd but with such a sweet starter it was "one of them 'fing wot I'll investigate manana".

It is all very frustrating, I have the kit and experience to address the problem, even the equipoment for testing injectors, but age, Covic and distance preclude my getting "hands on"  She on the other hand is more than averagely intelligent and capable of following instructions.  What she lacks is "touch", that certain "feel" that only come from experience. Her tool kit is somewhat limited too.

 

Think I'll buy her a pair of oars for Christmas or maybe a horse . . .

 

There is a place in Wimbledon called Watson diesels that may be able to help out with the pump, ask to speak to Ian as he has long experience of old marine diesel engines and prices are very reasonable. It would need to be taken to them however. 

Edited December 15, 2020 by BWM

[Man 'o Kent]

33 minutes ago, BWM said:

There is a place in Wimbledon called Watson diesels that may be able to help out with the pump, ask to speak to Ian as he has long experience of old marine diesel engines and prices are very reasonable. It would need to be taken to them however. 

Many thanks BMW noted and will pass your suggestion on to her. Pity he's on the other side of London but as she is a non-driver I know she knows how to use the bus & tube.

It'll be her punishment for runnung out of fuel -- TWICE!

[bizzard]

17 hours ago, Man 'o Kent said:

Has anyone any experience of why one element of a CAV BPF injector pump fitted on a 40'ish year old RN might be refusing to pump fuel?

The system has been bled following running out of fuel. (Twice!) The other element is is pumping fuel OK.

My main suspect is the non-return valve atop the suspect element. Any tips/tricks to encourage it back into action would be most welcome.

An added complication is that I am trying to solve this problem remotely, I am 40 miles away and in the Covic "high risk" age group. Thankfully while the owner is mechanically inexperienced she is savvy, a good learner and will  follow  instructions. If then the recommendation is to have the pump professionally serviced are there any recommendations where to go in East London?

Finally, is there anything in particular to be wary of regarding timing should the pump have to be removed from the engine?

Wade diesels, Pinder road, Hoddeston.  01992 444020. Close to river Lea.

[Man 'o Kent]

7 minutes ago, bizzard said:

Wade diesels, Pinder road, Hoddeston.  01992 444020. Close to river Lea.

Excellent! Much nearer, thank you!

I now have this vision of her plodding along the towpath towing the boat behind her!

[BWM]

2 hours ago, Man 'o Kent said:

Many thanks BMW noted and will pass your suggestion on to her. Pity he's on the other side of London but as she is a non-driver I know she knows how to use the bus & tube.

It'll be her punishment for runnung out of fuel -- TWICE!

A fairly straightforward journey on the Overground i think from there, worth the journey as their work is first rate. Ian's father was a marine engineer on the Thames when it was still a busy workplace.