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intermittent idle
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:55 am
by after oil
when on WVO the rpms rise and lower while idling. is this a problem?
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:52 pm
by konadog
I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure any motor should idle at a steady rpm. Fuel delivery issue, maybe...

Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:02 pm
by BCDelica
First guess would be you do have a fuel restricten problem.
Second guess would be somethings up with your IP.
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:51 pm
by after oil
theres still some 5/16" line, ill change that to 3/8"
theres also 1/4" return but slavko says should be okay. ill change that to 5/16"
that should address all the fuel restriction problems
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:41 pm
by mararmeisto
after oil wrote:theres still some 5/16" line, ill change that to 3/8"
theres also 1/4" return but slavko says should be okay. ill change that to 5/16"
that should address all the fuel restriction problems
Sounds like you've used two different-sized fuel lines along the supply side of the pump - bad idea, for it changes the flow rate when the piping gets smaller. Return side won't matter as much, because it just 'dumps' into the tank.
Other than that, does it do this surging when the engine is warm or just when cold? If only when cold, maybe your inline heater is not functioning properly.
Otherwise, it could be the injection pump.
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:04 pm
by after oil
mararmeisto wrote:
Sounds like you've used two different-sized fuel lines along the supply side of the pump - bad idea, for it changes the flow rate when the piping gets smaller. Return side won't matter as much, because it just 'dumps' into the tank.
Other than that, does it do this surging when the engine is warm or just when cold? If only when cold, maybe your inline heater is not functioning properly.
Otherwise, it could be the injection pump.
thats right, the line into the filter is 3/8" and from the filter to the heat exchanger, 5/16" but 5/16" is the nipple on the heat exchanger and on the IP
remember theres an assist pump 7 psi or close to that
it idles inconsistently when warm too
it better not be my IP... but it idles fine on petro-diesel
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:06 am
by mararmeisto
after oil wrote:mararmeisto wrote:
Sounds like you've used two different-sized fuel lines along the supply side of the pump - bad idea, for it changes the flow rate when the piping gets smaller. Return side won't matter as much, because it just 'dumps' into the tank.
Other than that, does it do this surging when the engine is warm or just when cold? If only when cold, maybe your inline heater is not functioning properly.
Otherwise, it could be the injection pump.
thats right, the line into the filter is 3/8" and from the filter to the heat exchanger, 5/16" but 5/16" is the nipple on the heat exchanger and on the IP
remember theres an assist pump 7 psi or close to that
it idles inconsistently when warm too
it better not be my IP... but it idles fine on petro-diesel
Okay, no longer worried about the line size, but it still sounds like there is a problem on the WVO-side of your system. Did you check that other filter? Is it a paper one or a mechanical one (i.e. one you can clean)? I'd check that next.
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:36 am
by after oil
mararmeisto wrote:
Okay, no longer worried about the line size, but it still sounds like there is a problem on the WVO-side of your system. Did you check that other filter? Is it a paper one or a mechanical one (i.e. one you can clean)? I'd check that next.
the main filter is a spin on hydraulic oil filter, brand new, the other is a glass sight filter, that can open up and be cleaned. the element inside is a metal screen i believe. i can see the odd bit of debris on there
i still gotta post photos of that filter and there are still no photos of the control switch

Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:57 am
by oceaneer77
If you have constant pressure (7+) psi at the ip inlet
then.. sounds like the viscosity of the fuel in your IP is to thick and is starving to fill the plungers.
can you heat the WVO any higher?
heavy fuel engines have the same symptoms when running bunker c and not hot enough.
oceaneer77
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:03 am
by jessef
You can try running a small 12v inline fuel pump.

Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:55 pm
by after oil
oceaneer77 wrote:If you have constant pressure (7+) psi at the ip inlet
then.. sounds like the viscosity of the fuel in your IP is to thick and is starving to fill the plungers.
can you heat the WVO any higher?
heavy fuel engines have the same symptoms when running bunker c and not hot enough.
oceaneer77
two things possible regarding you thoughts oceaneer77
could be the oil isnt heating enough because i presently have mostly water in the cooling system. i didnt want to leak coolant, but now im sure it wont leak (it never did) tomorrow i will put the correct ratio of coolant to water
number 2: my fuel is heated first by the engine coolant, then by a glow plug to 75c before entering the IP. the engine never gets warm enough for the thermocouple to tell the glow plug to shut off. maybe ill need a hotter thermostat for the cooling system, so i can run a little hotter...
jfarsang wrote:You can try running a small 12v inline fuel pump.

got that
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:03 pm
by oceaneer77
Hi After oil
On #1 water and coolant will hold the same amount of BTUs just the coolant raises the boiling point so #1 is out in my books.
#2 seems to make the most sence.. if i had a viscosity meter we could check the WVO at 75C and compare to #2 diesel but the mere is on the ship and its on the way to panama now.
Can you try to thin the wvo sith some diesel and see what happens at 75C?
thanks
Oceaneer
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:51 am
by after oil
sorry about waiting so long to post results....
i replaced some of the 5/16" line with 3/8", but its still 5/16" from the wvo filter to the heat exchanger and IP
i was in at ccauto to get ip timing and valve clearance set in advance of my trip to mexico.
yesterday i was all over town on WVO and the idle seems steady at around 750 in D and 1000 in P
intermittent idle
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:00 am
by jrman
I'm almost having the same issue.
Just had IP fully rebuilt.
Idle set at 750 in D, comes slighting in P or N - maybe 800.
But occasionally I'll go to park and it comes up to 1000. Back to drive, and she's at 750. Doesn't do it every time - and appears to be only after driving for a while. But once it starts doing this - nothing will change till I shut the engine off. Fire it up right away - and it idles normally (ie, 750 in D / 800 or slightly less in P or N).
Funny behaviour!
BTW - didn't do this prior to IP rebuild - solid at 750, ever slightly higher in P or N.
I believe its related to the throttle position sensor (black unit with wire sticking out on top of IP - two flat head screws holding it in place)....but just guessing.
Mardy has 6 mo warranty so may have to go back to check it out, but will tamper with the TPS first and see if that changes things at all.
Re: intermittent idle
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:14 am
by AndrewH
mararmeisto wrote:
Sounds like you've used two different-sized fuel lines along the supply side of the pump - bad idea, for it changes the flow rate
nope, the flow stays the same but pressure changes...
basic hydraulics