Getting fuel up to the injectors?

[Anorak_ian]

My bike is now just a spit away from being on the road, and I have a small problem, I can't get the engine running.

I have pumped the fuel past the lifter pump and vented air out of the injector pump vent, and I've flattened my battery trying to fire it up, but no real amount of fuel is getting to the end of the fuel lines and injectors.

So what is the best way to get the fuel through? Unscrew the fuel line at the injector, fully open the throttle and use the starter until the fuel gets through?

[Diesel Dave]

Ian, if the engine has been standing for a long time then the fuel can varnish up in the pump and injector.

I remember Sanders Daihatsu at Hamm a few years back - first start after 11 years and it took a lot of working through the pump with a rich blend of injector cleaner and fuel.

Loosen the connector pipe at the injector end and see if it spills fuel, if not then try squirting diesel injector cleaner into the pump from both ends and leaving overnight.

A stuck piston in the injector pump was the cause of Joff's bike problems, not a difficult fix but takes a while to do.

Cheers
Dave

[Anorak_ian]

Thank's for the info Dave. It's just this job and swap over the plunger suspension for the new parts and then it's on the road.

[Diesel Dave]

Ian, remind me what engine you are fiddling with?

[Anorak_ian]

It's a Rugarrini RD211 23hp 954cc

[Diesel Dave]

Great - straight foward stuff.

Start by making sure that fuel flows freely into the injector pumps then loosen the injector union a tad and see if fuel squirts out (I suspect the pumps are gummed up).

If it flows out of the union when easing over on the kicker then the injectors are jammed and will need freeing or rebuilding, they can sometime be freed by filling with injector cleaner overnight.

If all's well you should be able to hear the injectors 'Gronk' if you ease the motor over TDC, the disadvantage of no decomps and electric starters - you can't hear a thing.

If you remove the pumps for cleaning then don't drop the tappet down the crankcase - it has a habit of sticking to the bottom of the injector pump right up 'till the last minute and then dropping. Also don't remove the shims as these control the timing. The tiny parts inside the pump need to be kept immaculately clean and don't scratch any part as they have precision finishes so no metal tools. You will find a spring loaded valve inside that may be gummed into place, carb cleaner works well.

Cheers
Dave

[johnfireball]

Nice bike, what did it start as? or is it custom frame?
John.

[Anorak_ian]

It started life as a 1948 Ariel, Im glad you like it.

[sbrumby]

Nice bike, I have the same engine in the honda, Dave is a little off in the advice. There is only one injector pump and it is a duel. there is no tappets as the bottom of the pumps is rollers that are in direct contact with the camshaft, he is correct in the shims affect the timeing. before you take the pump off just make sure the stop control is not in the off position. Just undu the injector pipes and the fuel should squit when the engine is turned over. If its easy enough to do if you remove the injectors the engine will turn freely and wont flatten the battery. What battery are you useing? I have two on the honda.

[Anorak_ian]

Hi Sam, thanks for the info.
I use a Harley hi amps gel battery as it is way better than any other I have come across, it's designed to kick over a 1450cc v twin so it should be ok, but it is a bit more expensive than a Taiwan battery at £100 - £120

Ian

[sbrumby]

Just incase you havent got http://service.ruggerini.it/english/man_index_gb.htm this is usefull tell you everthing you need to know about the engine.

[Stuart]

Nice looking bike Ian And a Ruggerini too Great stuff

[Anorak_ian]

Thanks, I find my self standing back from it and admiring it, I have to snap my self out of it and get some work done.
I've used some carb injector spray cleaner in the injector pump, so I guess I'll find out tomorrow if it's working or if I have to rebuild the pump. Fingers crossed.

[Crazymanneil]

Ian,

Great to see this bike shaping up so well. I remember reading your website a few years ago before the dieselbike forum was web based, it was one of the earlier projects that fired my imagination. Great work.

N

[Anorak_ian]

Ha ha, thank you, and thank you for reminding me how long it's been lol

[Sphere]

On a more serious note, I too have read that website and it was a great inspiration.