873 won't start

[bsiler]

It's been a couple of months since it was last started. Seems like it's not getting fuel. Tried priming but could get no fuel out of the vent. Unhooked the fuel lines and fuel seems to be getting everywhere but out of the vent. Any ideas! Want it to be known I'm not a mechanic and especially diesel mechanic!! Billy

 

[Tazza]

What vent are you talking about? there will be one on the filter.
I'd start by ensureing you're getting fuel to the injector pump, remove the line here and squeeze the primer bulb to see if you're geting fuel.

 

[bobbie-g]

What vent are you talking about? there will be one on the filter.
I'd start by ensureing you're getting fuel to the injector pump, remove the line here and squeeze the primer bulb to see if you're geting fuel.

Once you find out if you're getting fuel to the input port on the injector pump when you pump the primer bulb, let us know and we can figure out what to try next. Usually "it won't start" turns out to be a fairly simple problem to solve. Just went through an extensive set of tests on a 773, and also had some trouble with my 863 a few years back. Advice is here, just let us know what you find. ---Bobbie-G

 

[bsiler]

Once you find out if you're getting fuel to the input port on the injector pump when you pump the primer bulb, let us know and we can figure out what to try next. Usually "it won't start" turns out to be a fairly simple problem to solve. Just went through an extensive set of tests on a 773, and also had some trouble with my 863 a few years back. Advice is here, just let us know what you find. ---Bobbie-G

Thanks for the replies I seem to be getting fuel to the filter. I unhooked the in line at the filter and get fuel. I just can't get fuel to pump out of the bleeder vent at the top of the filter bracket. I'll check more today I hope. Billy

 

[bobbie-g]

Thanks for the replies I seem to be getting fuel to the filter. I unhooked the in line at the filter and get fuel. I just can't get fuel to pump out of the bleeder vent at the top of the filter bracket. I'll check more today I hope. Billy

Well, assuming the fuel filter isn't 20 years old, or your fuel isn't 50% mud, you should be able to pump the primer bulb and get fuel out the vent screw on the top of the fuel filter. I pump the primer bulb until it's hard, then hold it squeezed while opening the screw with my third hand. Once fuel and air is expelled from the screw and the bulb goes flat, I hold the bulb flat until I get the screw retightened. Repeat a few times and you should then be getting only fuel out of the vent screw. Then, in your case, pull the inlet line to the high pressure injector pump near the top of the engine. You should be able to pump the primer bulb and see fuel squirt out of that line. If so, then you know you have fuel to the injector pump. I can't remember where the lift pump is in the line, but I suppose there's always a chance the rubber diaphragm in it could have ruptured and when you pump the primer bulb you're pumping diesel directly into the oil pan. Those are about $50 or a little more from Bobcat (I'd stay away from the $40 ones from Amazon, made in China), and I would recommend changing it out as a preventive measure since your machine is close to 20 years old. If the diaphragm ruptures or splits, you could pump diesel into the oil pan for a long while without knowing it (except you'll seem to be gaining oil). Once the level gets high enough, you could encounter a runaway engine, which could be disastrous. Enough for now. Let us know how it's going. And if you have fuel to the injector pump and it still won't run, we'll discuss the fuel shutoff solenoid....... ---Bobbie-G

 

[bsiler]

Well, assuming the fuel filter isn't 20 years old, or your fuel isn't 50% mud, you should be able to pump the primer bulb and get fuel out the vent screw on the top of the fuel filter. I pump the primer bulb until it's hard, then hold it squeezed while opening the screw with my third hand. Once fuel and air is expelled from the screw and the bulb goes flat, I hold the bulb flat until I get the screw retightened. Repeat a few times and you should then be getting only fuel out of the vent screw. Then, in your case, pull the inlet line to the high pressure injector pump near the top of the engine. You should be able to pump the primer bulb and see fuel squirt out of that line. If so, then you know you have fuel to the injector pump. I can't remember where the lift pump is in the line, but I suppose there's always a chance the rubber diaphragm in it could have ruptured and when you pump the primer bulb you're pumping diesel directly into the oil pan. Those are about $50 or a little more from Bobcat (I'd stay away from the $40 ones from Amazon, made in China), and I would recommend changing it out as a preventive measure since your machine is close to 20 years old. If the diaphragm ruptures or splits, you could pump diesel into the oil pan for a long while without knowing it (except you'll seem to be gaining oil). Once the level gets high enough, you could encounter a runaway engine, which could be disastrous. Enough for now. Let us know how it's going. And if you have fuel to the injector pump and it still won't run, we'll discuss the fuel shutoff solenoid....... ---Bobbie-G

bobbie-g, Thanks for the reply. I haven't had much extra time the last few days so haven't 'messed' with the loader. Which is probably a good thing. I seem to get myself in trouble sometimes with situations like this one. When I pump the bulb it's hard as heck to pump. I will definitely try your suggestions first chance I get. I did get a new fuel filter the other day for just in case! What gets me is the last time it was started after setting for awhile with a dead battery it fired right up. Oh well!! That was then and this is now guess. Thank You Billy

 

[bsiler]

bobbie-g, Thanks for the reply. I haven't had much extra time the last few days so haven't 'messed' with the loader. Which is probably a good thing. I seem to get myself in trouble sometimes with situations like this one. When I pump the bulb it's hard as heck to pump. I will definitely try your suggestions first chance I get. I did get a new fuel filter the other day for just in case! What gets me is the last time it was started after setting for awhile with a dead battery it fired right up. Oh well!! That was then and this is now guess. Thank You Billy

I haven't had much time and I figured I had done enough "jack leg" so to speak trouble shooting. I asked a friend who is a retired mechanic and stays covered up in work if he would check it sometime if he had a few extra minutes. He said that he worked mostly on old diesel engines and not so much on newer ones but that he would look at it. He came yesterday and said it had fuel flow all the way except to the injectors. I wasn't at home and he called me with the results. He said it could possibly be a fuse but he wasn't sure where the fuse would be and I wasn't either until I looked in the manual!! I really should know these things!!! I was late getting home so haven't had time to look. Would be nice if it could possibly be that simple! Billy

 

[Tazza]

I haven't had much time and I figured I had done enough "jack leg" so to speak trouble shooting. I asked a friend who is a retired mechanic and stays covered up in work if he would check it sometime if he had a few extra minutes. He said that he worked mostly on old diesel engines and not so much on newer ones but that he would look at it. He came yesterday and said it had fuel flow all the way except to the injectors. I wasn't at home and he called me with the results. He said it could possibly be a fuse but he wasn't sure where the fuse would be and I wasn't either until I looked in the manual!! I really should know these things!!! I was late getting home so haven't had time to look. Would be nice if it could possibly be that simple! Billy

It's possible it is the fuel cut colenoid, if it's not getting power, it could be a bad fuse or relay, if it's getting power but not moving, it could be the solenoid.
You should be able to remove the solenoid and start it without it to confirm if it is indeed the issue.