Petter AA1 not starting

[Andre]

Hi all,

I have a petter AA1 single speed diesel engine fitted to my cement mixer and just the other day during mixing a batch of concrete the mixer completely died on me.
It has a rope start and I pulled and pulled at this with no signs at all of even wanting to start.
The compression on the engine appears no different to before this happened therefore I am ruling out any piston or ring problem.
I had just newly filled the tank with fresh diesel prior to this so knew it hadn't run dry of fuel.
I thought perhaps the fuel filter was choked so pulled the line coming from the tank and got a good flow of fuel so ruled that out also.

As this is a very basic engine I am looking for any advice from some fellow members as to what I should be looking into next to try resolve this?
Other than a fuel pump or fuel injector problem I cant think of anything else it could be.
Is there any test I could do to determine fuel pump or injector problem?
I don't mind to replace either If I thought it would cure the problem but at the same time don't want to invest in new parts if they are not required.

Thanks.

Andre

 

[essexpete]

Have you tried loosening the fuel union at the injector and turning over the engine to see if fuel is actually pumping?

 

[Andre]

Not tried this, but i will and report back.
Thanks.

 

[Andre]

Sorry for late update.
Ok i tried this and fuel was slowly coming through.
I was half expecting the fuel to be firing through this fuel line like a water jet but certainly was not the case here.

Does this mean my pump is shot?

Andre

 

[essexpete]

The few little diesels I have tried on rope pull seem absolute barstewards. Much rather have a handle to wind over. It should feed up to the injector with a reasonable flow but it will not be a massive jet as it will be relatively small quantities and not going through a nozzle. Be careful with diesel under pressure as it can penetrate skin. Do you get any sign of smoke when pulling it over? If not then there might not be enough fuel getting through. I have never used this type of petter but is there any kind of external lever connected with the fuel pump? It might be possible that the fuel rack has stuck sitting around.

 

[Andre]

Ill check again tommorow for signs of smoke whilst turning her over.
The last time the engine was running it just stopped suddenly without turning off.

 

[Mursal]

You should be able to take it round to just before it goes solid to turn (against compression) and rock the pulley back and forward and hear it injecting? A sort of squeaking sound?
If not you have a fuel issue, so double check for a blockage as its gravity feed from the tank, if its the same as our little darling? A little fecker to start .............

 

[essexpete]

Just had a look on youtube at these engines. The look as though they need some winding even when set up with a handle.

 

[smcapstick]

They are fine if they're in good nick. My generator starts very easily

I've had a few that required a bit more elbow grease, though

 

[Andre]

Ok so today i had another look at the engine.
When turning over there is smoke coming from exhaust.
I decided to take the injector out of the engine and still leave it connected to the fuel line coming from the pump.

I turned it over about 10 times and saw no fuel at all leave the injector.
So now i know that i have indèed a fuel problem but its leading me to either fuel pump or injector?
I believe the pump is pumping as there is evidence of fuel leading up to the injector but is it pumping enough fuel or is most of this fuel i see coming from gravity as Mursal pointed out.

 

[Mursal]

If you get a chance pop the cover off the top, see if the valves are opening as you crank?
This will let you know if the pump shaft is actually turning?
As both the camshaft and pump are driven at the same speed.

As you know be careful with high pressure diesel in the injector pipe.

 

[Mursal]

And the stop isn't stuck on the pump?

 

[Philip Watkins]

And the stop isn't stuck on the pump?

Had similar problem myself once, didn't get as far as pulling it apart. Had been swinging it for ages, even left it in the sun to warm it up . Had checked there was diesel in the tank, tried the pump primer till it went hard swung it some more. Eventually realised the stopper was out

 

[Andre]

Had similar problem myself once, didn't get as far as pulling it apart. Had been swinging it for ages, even left it in the sun to warm it up . Had checked there was diesel in the tank, tried the pump primer till it went hard swung it some more. Eventually realised the stopper was out

^


Stopper??

 

[Philip Watkins]

^


Stopper??

Ah, sorry. Should have said it was a different engine to yours. Slightly more modern lister-petter, set up as a pressure washer unit.

 

[Kenham]

I can't quite remember as it was about 20 years ago but take the injector pump off and make sure the plunger that operates it is free and working. Seem to think I had one that got stuck and caused similar problems.

 

[Philip Watkins]

Ah, sorry. Should have said it was a different engine to yours. Slightly more modern lister-petter, set up as a pressure washer unit.

Slightly more modern it’s an AD1C. The fuel control is behind the exhaust so has a stopper rod fitted.

 

[Andre]

I can't quite remember as it was about 20 years ago but take the injector pump off and make sure the plunger that operates it is free and working. Seem to think I had one that got stuck and caused similar problems.

I like this idea and have not done this yet.
Fingers crossed this will rule out something else or better still fix it completley if it is just stuck.

Watch this space for further updates.

 

[Seabhac]

And 5 years later he's still swinging!

 

[5020man]

Had similar problem myself once, didn't get as far as pulling it apart. Had been swinging it for ages, even left it in the sun to warm it up . Had checked there was diesel in the tank, tried the pump primer till it went hard swung it some more. Eventually realised the stopper was out

Did that last saterday night in the dark .