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Diesel engine cut-off at altitude[200/84] posted by Jim Glackin on
Saturday, 29 August 1998, at 12:22 a.m.
I wonder if anyone has experienced a diesel engine quitting while climbing a steep mountain grade? Its happened twice to me in a year that while driving in third up a steep mountain in the summer I've had sudden loss of power with the engine quitting. Cracking an injector fitting and cranking indicated that the injectors weren't getting fuel. Could this be some sort of vapor lock? The first time it happened(about a year ago) I was towed off the mountain and, scratching my head, thought the pump had failed and had it rebuilt. The rebuild shop didn't think the pump had caused the problem and they were right as the same thing happened last week under almost exactly the same circumstances. This time when towed to the bottom of the mountain and after a few hours it started normally and has run fine ever since. I've been told by a pretty good mechanic that diesels don't vapor lock. Any info or opinions would be appreciated.
Re: Diesel engine cut-off at altitude[200/84] posted by abe crombie on
Saturday, 29 August 1998, at 10:59 a.m.
Bosch injection pumps do have trouble with the lift pump part of pump though. I would have a relatively inexpensive electric fuel pump installed. This usually makes it run better also.
When you are climbing the lift pump (pump driven by pump shaft that pulls fuel all the way from tank through filter) is having to keep up with the maximum flow requirements imposed by a hard pull for a long time period. The up hill grade also creates a higher load for this pump to overcome also due to the higher lift while car is at an angle.
Re: Diesel engine cut-off at altitude[200/84] posted by marc onken on
Sunday, 30 August 1998, at 12:39 a.m.
Jim,
I have an 83 760 intercooled turbo diesel that did a similiar trick to me a couple years ago. I was climbing up to the Eisenhower tunnel in Colorado running hard and really pushing it (75 up 8-10% grade)- she started losing power all of a sudden and I found myself parked- idling along side the road. She didn't stall but had no power and wouldn't run much over 35 mph. The problem- a semi plugged fuel filter. Seems the filter was being stingy with the fuel and under 75% of full throttle- it just wasn't enough flow to keep her happy. $8.00 and I was doing fine. I would also check the screen in the tank- sometimes they can get pretty crudy. I might mention the seal around the pump drive shaft- they can semi-fail- and suck air- occasionally- good luck