i have a 93 idi with a banks turbo that i recently bought that is running pretty funny. it seems like it is starving fuel because it starts up and runs rough (lots of white diesel smoke) for a few minutes before it evens out. after it idles smooth, it still puts out more smoke than it should. if i hold the pedal around 1500 rpm or so for a while then let go the engine rpm drops down real low and it sort of revs itself from 500 to 1500 rpm until i feather the throttle a few times to get it to even out again. needless to say, trying to drive it anywhere is out of the question.

i just changed the o-rings and return lines and clamps and i just did fuel filter and ran power service through it. i am no diesel mechanic but if it is starving for fuel, is it my lift pump? how do i i test it, at the schrader valve?

thanks for any help.

 

Sounds like it is sucking air somewhere.

How much fuel is in your tank?

A rather common failure is the bottom of the fuel pickup tube will either crack or break off.
If it does this, you can run out of fuel somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 tank of fuel.

Also the white smoke at start up sounds like you may need to check your glow plugs, you may have one or two burnt out.

 

Do a pressure and flow test of the fuel pump at the Schrader valve on the filter header (FSS- fuel shutoff solenoid disconnected on IP). Remove the tire valve core and hook a hose and pressure guage on it should see 4-6 psi when cranking. Then do a fuel quantity test same place, should see 1/3 pint in 10 seconds of engine cranking, route fuel to a suitable container with a hose.

If there is a problem with the lift pump and you are changing it, ensure the new pump comes with instructions as to correct installation procedure if it is the newer model pump with the almost straight arm.

 

thanks for the quick replies. i got ahold of a fuel pressure gauge and at the schrader va
ve it was 5 psi after ten seconds of cranking, however when i tested the fuel quantity it was only about a tablespoon after ten seconds.

it seems like it must be sucking air somewhere between the tank and filter head in order for it to have the correct pressure but incorrect quantity...... any insight on this?


as for the glow plugs, they are all fine. the white smoke kept coming long after start up. also, today i checked and there was no voltage at the cold timing advance terminal on the ip with the key on. it was about 60 degrees, but shouldn't it still be activated?

sorry for any spelling mistakes, my computer is down and i have to do this from my mobile.

thanks again!