SD33 running rough as guts

[Brendan-s]

Gurus, I turn to you with a bit of a problem I have. I have an 82 MQ Patrol with the SD33 motor in it. The motor has 240k on the clock and although I've only had it for less than a month the first few weeks of driving led me to believe it was in good nick -- only smokes when you push it real hard, has really good power and response and not bad fuel economy for all the gear on board.

Then about a fortnight ago -- shortly after attacking this boghole, as in about 3 minutes after -- it developed a really bad habit of not wanting to run. It was like it had air in the lines, so I'd get out, crack the two nuts on the side of the injector pump, and hand-prime til only diesel came out (i.e there WAS actually air in the lines). it would run for about 30 seconds then die in the arse.

so what ive done so far is replace the fuel filter (dont have a seperater so that's all i could do), which after a little f'ing around with re-bleeding made it run alright...I got is as far as from Windsor to home (Parramatta). Drove it to work the next day -- home again, no worries. To KFC after it sat for 3 hrs in the evening and on the way home, 2km through Friday night Parramatta traffic it died a total of 8 times, causing me to re-bleed it and drive it that little further. I eventually cracked the sh*ts and kept one bleed nut half-undone and drove it home the last 500m leaking diesel, but it got home. So I got a mate who works on deisel machinery to come bleed it properly, and it would actually keep running -- albeit very roughly. No power at all, idles like a dog, blows smoke, dies as soon as you try and take off -- imagine what a petrol donk does with water up in the dizzy.

so, any suggestions? my theory goes so far that the fuel pump is still working cause it will idle continuously now, and there's no air in the lines cause my mate cracked the first injector nozzle (well the little screw that comes off the bottom of it at a right angle) and only diesel came out, so it could possibly be something to do with the injectors?

any idea of where in sydney (preferably near to silverwater where I work) that I could take it? There is a diesel MQ sitting at Pick N payless with a full set of injectors /pump on it, maybe I should try running those? I'm a cash-strapped young fella too, I was going to bite the bullet and take it in to a place to get it looked at but the diesel joint on Silverwater Road said they'd want a 'couple hundred bucks' just to look at it and maybe adjust the tappets. Although Ive just learnt that's probably about normal Though if I'm going to pay to get it done I'd rather a 4WD-specific place...

Thanks very much for listening to my incoherent rambles and your suggestions

[Brendan-s]

frustratingly i couldn't make the problem appear when i had a look at it this arvo! if anyone still has any ideas i'd love to hear em

regards Brendan

[Camshaft1]

Bent Rod as a guess. suck in water in the boghole, try to compress it and bang damage is done.? Rough running, smokeing, no power, bad idle. Sounds very suss. Get your diesel mechanic mate to give it a compression test. that would bring it up i reckon. if it is it will miss right through the rev range. Does it do that or does it clear up at high revs?

[Woop]

Check for restrictions in the fuel supply lines--ie deteriorating hoses etc. Loosen the injector supply lines from the pump where they meet at the injectors and listen for a change in engine note as you do each one in turn. Some water MAY have gotten into the fuel somehow. Hopefully it hasnt damaged the injection pump--OR i vagually remember SD33's having a small motor that controls the the Fuel Cut-off valve--located on the drivers side of the block. Maybe this valve is not opening up completely or maybe the small motor has water in it... I think you can remove the rod that connects to this valve and move it into the RUN position by hand--to stop the engine just move it back to the stop position...

worth a try..

Nick

[Snarba]

could be worth checking the condition of the fuel in the tank too...ie drain some out n see. I took on serious amounts of water and mud into the fuel tank ( and gearbox for that matter ) after a similar experience and had to drain the tank, then put fresh diesel in, shake the car from side to side as hard as poss then out would come more mud. I used a whole 20 liter jerry cleaning it out. It also had similar ailments as you are describing ( no power but would idle) anyway worth checking....

[V8Patrol]

Sounds like water in the fuel system

Dump the tanks remaining contents and flush,
Flush the fuel lines with fresh diesel ( include the return line but disconnect from the tank first.)
Replace fuel filters
Re- bleed the pump / injectors
Spray ALL under bonnet electrical connections with a contact cleaner

test drive

If its still playing up then get ya diesel mech guy to do a leakdown test & pray you dont have a bent rod

Kingy