lcdck
Well-known member
200tdi installed in a 1988 90. I did the install. Engine runs fine, puff of smoke on startup and occasionally if under load but no stumbles, smooth idle, etc.
I'm only able to do high 50's to maybe 60mph. I think I'm getting air in the fuel lines overnight and while running.
When I open the bleed screw at the top of the fuel filter housing I get tiny little air bubbles but it goes to straight diesel within seconds.
I replaced the spill return lines with new hose and this seemed to help but still not getting full power.
I tested the fuel lift pump by removing the hose to the diesel filter, sticking it in a milk carton and cranking for a 2 seconds. 1/4 cup of diesel squirted out so it looks like the lift pump is good.
When I tried to bleed by manually actuating the lift pump I never got anything to happen, even when I rotated the crank several times trying to find the spot for the cam. After doing that there was way more air in the system than usual and I had to bleed for a few intervals of 5-10 seconds before getting straight diesel.
So what's the next step? How do I check the fuel lines for air coming in. Which lines or connections could contribute and which are not pressurised.
Obviously everything from the fuel line coming from the tank to the return line going to the IP. What about the return line from the IP to the tank? Fuel filler hose and breather hose?
I could bypass the hose going to the lift pump by running a line straight to a gas can but I'm not sure I'd want to test drive the truck to see if the diesel supply line is the issue. I've read John's suggestion to remove line going to injection pump and crank without stop solenoid as well. I guess I'll start with those two tomorrow morning.
I know several other things could lead to lack of performance like timing, turbo clogged somewhere, turbo intake hose collapsing, etc but the fact that I'm getting tiny air bubbles out every day leads me to believe that it's a fuel issue.
I'm only able to do high 50's to maybe 60mph. I think I'm getting air in the fuel lines overnight and while running.
When I open the bleed screw at the top of the fuel filter housing I get tiny little air bubbles but it goes to straight diesel within seconds.
I replaced the spill return lines with new hose and this seemed to help but still not getting full power.
I tested the fuel lift pump by removing the hose to the diesel filter, sticking it in a milk carton and cranking for a 2 seconds. 1/4 cup of diesel squirted out so it looks like the lift pump is good.
When I tried to bleed by manually actuating the lift pump I never got anything to happen, even when I rotated the crank several times trying to find the spot for the cam. After doing that there was way more air in the system than usual and I had to bleed for a few intervals of 5-10 seconds before getting straight diesel.
So what's the next step? How do I check the fuel lines for air coming in. Which lines or connections could contribute and which are not pressurised.
Obviously everything from the fuel line coming from the tank to the return line going to the IP. What about the return line from the IP to the tank? Fuel filler hose and breather hose?
I could bypass the hose going to the lift pump by running a line straight to a gas can but I'm not sure I'd want to test drive the truck to see if the diesel supply line is the issue. I've read John's suggestion to remove line going to injection pump and crank without stop solenoid as well. I guess I'll start with those two tomorrow morning.
I know several other things could lead to lack of performance like timing, turbo clogged somewhere, turbo intake hose collapsing, etc but the fact that I'm getting tiny air bubbles out every day leads me to believe that it's a fuel issue.