I meant to add, the injection pump delivers finely timed pulses of fuel to the injection nozzles, which (I think) are in the precombustion chambers on our Universals. Both the injection pump and the nozzles can be clogged easily by even very minute pieces of debris (fungus, dirt, etc) and this is why the cleanliness of the fuel is so important.
If you are interested in a good book on diesel engines, I have read/skimmed one by Nigel Calder that explains a lot. http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Diesel-Engines-Maintenance-Troubleshooting/dp/0070096120 <http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Diesel-Engines-Maintenance-Troubleshooting/dp/0070096120> David On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 8:49 PM, David Savlin <[email protected]> wrote: > This is definitely in the manual, I read about that pretty extensively a > while back. Diesel fuel systems have to be bled (air purged) if they ever > run out of fuel. The whole process is in the manual. Diesels do not like to > run out of fuel. > > The "coil looking thing" on the bulkhead is the primary diesel lift pump. > Mine also clicks with the key on and engine not running, but not > terrifically loud. It provides low pressure pumping action to deliver fuel > to the main injection fuel pump. The injection pump, which is geared > directly to the engine, is VERY finely machined and should never be opened > by anyone other than a diesel injection pump specialist. Injection pumps > deal with incredibly fine timing and very high pressures; if something goes > wrong it can cause serious damage to the engine head (pre-combustion > chambers, piston seals, piston heads, etc). > > You should also have two fuel filters. I agree with Dick, replacing the > first filter is probably a good idea. > > Good luck! > > David > Persephone, 1988 TR #6480 > > > On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 8:01 PM, Amy <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> >> The clicking may be the electric fuel pump and maybe you got air in your >> line when you ran out of gas. You have to bleed the fuel lines I bet. The >> instructions are in the manual. >> >> --- On *Sun, 7/11/10, RobAdkins <[email protected]>* wrote: >> >> >> From: RobAdkins <[email protected]> >> Subject: [IC27A] my get up and go got up and went. >> To: [email protected] >> Date: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 7:03 PM >> >> >> hi all, >> >> so my trusty universal m-18 won't fire off. it turns over aplenty but no >> put-put. we ran out of gas last weekend and after putting 4-ish gallons in >> it still won't go. what's wrong? there is also, coincidentally, a rapid >> clicking noise coming from an ignition coil looking gizmo, mounted to the >> inside wall of the engine compartment, when the key is in the on position >> and also when cranking. what is this gizmo and why is it clicking like a >> angry solenoid? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!-rob >> >> >> >> > >
