Had the D23J running this morning after doing a complete restoration. Replaced a couple of broken springs in the pump, cleaned and coated the fuel tank, all new fuel filters. Bled the air out of the system, got it runnin on 3, and finally #4 came on line, sounded great. Drove it around for about 15 minutes, then let it run at half throttle for about an hour. Fuel pressure gauge ran almost pegged on high side. After an hour at half throttle, decided to make a short run and put it back in shed for sheet metal installation. Drove about 100 feet when it just slowed down and stopped. Would not start, won't make any black smoke, and fuel pressure gauge about 25%. Adequate fuel, tried bleeding at injectors but seems like weak flow. Would the fuel pump go out that quickly? Wonder if possibly there is some dirt under the relief valve? Did not have the fuel pump apart, only removed and replaced the filters. Not sure what to do next, would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks
Ron Eyres, Kansas

Your suspicions on the relief valve would be a good place to start. Also make sure the fuel tank is vented and there is no restriction in the lines.

I,m sure this isn,t your problem but one time I had at the dealer an OTR truck come in that wouldn,t run right & shut down so I got to checking things & I found someone had I guess was looking down in the left fuel tank with a flashlight & the lens & cover must have fell off & it never was removed.The suction sucked it over the outlet line restricting the fuel supply to the filter base so I removed the lens & cover & the trucker was on his way. Strange things always seem to turn up from time to time.

SJ----

That is a great repair story. (clap, clap, clap)

I am still laughing after reading your diagnosis---never has happened to me, but I figured that I would be the only one around that something that odd could happen to.

Trust that you returned the missing flashlight lens back to the trucker.
Sometimes its the simplest of things can cause the greatest problems.

Delta Dirt

try cranking it over with the ponymotor and make sure it really loads the pony down when you switch the compression release from start to run. I am wondering if you have compression still.

the fuel may be only a red herring, it sounds like you have fuel, and adequate pressure for starting. Many of the old tractors run sort of low on the gauge while turning with the pony and only jump up there in the green when you start the engine.

On the other hand, I have seen a couple of gear type hydraulic pumps that died suddenly, but that is a lot higher pressure proposition than your transfer pump.

Thanks to you who offered suggestions. Tank is vented and clear. All my flashlights still have lenses and covers, and I have good fuel flow where the fuel line connects to the boost pump. When I cracked the bleeders on top of the injector pump first time I started, fuel gushed out, now it just dribbles. The pony does load down when switching from start to run, but that is a good point, I did a rough valve adjustment when assembling the head to block intending to readjust after running for about an hour. I will check the valve clearance just to be sure the valves are still properly adjusted after initial run in.

Thanks agian for your suggestions, may be a few days before I can get back to it, have company coming from London for Christmas.

Ron Eyres