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**hummingway** · 10-02-2011, 10:55

The deisel quit on me a while back and I finally got down to the boat to do something about it.

I changed the filters; the deisel looks fine though the filters did need to be changed. No water in the preliminary filter.

When it came to bleeding the system I'm not sure I did so well. The Perkins 4.154 has a self bleeding final filter and two nipples on the pump. I opened the nipples and started working the lift pump but wasn't getting anything. After a while I turned the engine over a couple of times with the starter and immediately got a jet out of one of the nipples. I couldn't tell if it was coming from both. I went back to working the lift but still nothing. I closed up the nipples and turned the engine a few times then pressed the preheater button. I got the expected smoke from the breather and tried starting the engine but nothing.

I didn't want to keep trying to start the engine without geting some advice. Do I need to check if I'm getting anything from the injectors? Is it the case that the lift pump needs to be worked a long time before the system will clear (I did pump it quite a lot)? Is their likely something else wrong with the system? Any thoughts that might help are appreciated!

Thanks, Greg.

anjou · 10-02-2011, 11:15

I agree, bleeding Perkins eh, what are they like? lol

**hummingway** · 10-02-2011, 11:20

I looked at that after I wrote it and wondered if the Brits would think it funny

**atoll** · 10-02-2011, 11:48

now injector pump is full,crack the two bleeds on the injector pump,use the bleed pump lever untill fuel flows with on bubbles,whilst still pumping close the bottom one first then the top bleed.

on the injectors crack the feed pipe nut on the injectors,spin the engine a few times untill you see fuel.

close off the nuts, now try,if she still wont start need to watch out that the exhaust is not filling up with water.

**hummingway** · 10-02-2011, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by atoll

now injector pump is full,crack the two bleeds on the injector pump,use the bleed pump lever untill fuel flows with on bubbles,whilst still pumping close the bottom one first then the top bleed.

Working the lift pump didn't have nay effect on the bleeds on the injector pump. I wasn't getting bubbles or anything unless I turned over the engine.

**atoll** · 10-02-2011, 12:09

probably need to fill the filter with diesel and check for nipped seals,if any air getting into the system,can take a long time to bleed thru if the filter is empty.

need to have clear diesel at the pump,and no bubbles.

another thought as mechnical pumps work off the cam shaft,if the stroke on the fuel pump is up the diaphram cant go down to pump when using the lever,need to turn engine 1/2 turn or untill you feel fuel/resistance when pumping by hand.

**hummingway** · 10-02-2011, 13:07

I wondered if I needed to keep working the pump. I didn't think to fill the filter first.

**atoll** · 10-02-2011, 13:15

saves a lot of hand cramp,but other post applys once full!!!!

gettinthere · 08-03-2011, 06:01

When talking about the Perkins 4.154 it should be noted if it is an American or Japanese Perkins. The later Perkins were built in Japan for Mazda but are in many boats. An easy telltale is if the fuel pump is Diesel Kiki. That is the Japanese version. MANY parts are not interchangeable, especially the fuel system.

The American lift pump has a lever, the Japanese has a round push knob. The Japanese lift pump push knob is prone to seizing and an external pump of some sort is recommended for priming the engine.

**capngeo** · 08-03-2011, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by atoll

now injector pump is full,crack the two bleeds on the injector pump,use the bleed pump lever untill fuel flows with on bubbles,whilst still pumping close the bottom one first then the top bleed.

on the injectors crack the feed pipe nut on the injectors,spin the engine a few times untill you see fuel.

close off the nuts, now try,if she still wont start need to watch out that the exhaust is not filling up with water.

To expand on that, if you are going to excessively crank the engine without it firing, CLOSE THE SEACOCK in the cooling water intake! Cooling is not an issue until there is fire... even the odd sputter is not a heat problem. Many engines (especially sailboats) are below the water line and as such, have a loop rising above. If you crank the engine a lot with the seacock open, it will eventually fill the exhaust hose until it backs up in the engine.

**hummingway** · 08-03-2011, 08:55

It is American. Thanks capngeo. I'll keep that in mind. I did get back to the boat last week and think I got it bled alright but the starter then wouldn't engage to turn the engine for the final stage, bleeding the injectors. We haven't had much decent weather since, gale after gale, but I hope to get back to it this week.

**hummingway** · 08-03-2011, 08:57

By the way, sorry for not updating this thread earlier but I didn't want to think about it for a few days

I'm much better now

SkiprJohn · 08-03-2011, 11:21

Let us know when you get it running again. It is always a celebration when you have successfully bled a diesel and it runs perfect. I've had to do it while in a channel hanging upside down in the engine compartment in a ferry lane. Sucked a tank dry.
kind regards,