Ford 1700 Injection Pump Troubleshooting

TractorBee · Mar 5, 2021

I am helping a friend of mine get a Ford 1700 he recently purchased up and running. Its a 2 cylinder diesel, the previous owners bypassed the fuel filter (it's missing the filter cup and element) and had the fuel line directly plugged into the injection pump. Some background, the tractor cranks and it has a new a starter, old one was bad.

So Far on the Fuel System:
I disconnected the hose from the pump to make sure I see flow from the tank and there was.
I then reconnected the hose to the pump and and disconnected the fuel lines between the pump and the injectors. I cranked it but there was only a trickle coming out of one port (the one closest to the driver, not sure if it is called #1 or #2).
Just to see, I also connected an electric pump to see if I could push fuel through the injection pump, but the results was the same, only a trickle coming out of the one port.

Where I Need Help and Advice:
My line of thinking is that the lines are plugged due to the bypass of the filter and gunk in the fuel tank (drained and clean yesterday, there was rust and debris), or some mechanical parts are gummed up due to age. I will take the side cover that is over the springs later today to see if there is movement (YouTube Video). However, my question is could I clean of the two port by pushing air into the pump with an air compressor to clean out any blockage, or is that likely to damage to the pump or would a can of compressed air would work better in this situation?

I haven't checked or changed out the oil in the injection pump (using the information on other post), but I plan on doing it later today. However, I wanted to get a better sense of what common issues maybe preventing the flow. Once I know the fuel is being delivered and pushing through the pump I will check the injectors, or have him replace both.

K5lwq · Mar 5, 2021

I used Corrosion X to free up one I am working on. Worked great.

TractorBee · Mar 6, 2021

I took the side cover off and saw that the cylinder farthest from the driver is sticking. Looking at motion of the other cylinder (one on the left of the photo) the bottom of the spring is attached to the top of the pump piston, would that be an indication that the attachment portion (the malfunctioning piston) is broken at the bottom of the spring/top of the pump piston.

YouTube Video

TractorBee · Mar 6, 2021

K5lwq said:
I used Corrosion X to free up one I am working on. Worked great.

View attachment 688886

Thanks for the tip. There are no local vendor in central California, so I had to order it online.

K5lwq · Mar 6, 2021

That is some seriously amazing stuff. Lol Expensive but sometimes worth every penny.

Academy Sports here keeps it in stock.

JC-jetro · Mar 6, 2021

TractorBee said:
I am helping a friend of mine get a Ford 1700 he recently purchased up and running. Its a 2 cylinder diesel, the previous owners bypassed the fuel filter (it's missing the filter cup and element) and had the fuel line directly plugged into the injection pump. Some background, the tractor cranks and it has a new a starter, old one was bad.

So Far on the Fuel System:
I disconnected the hose from the pump to make sure I see flow from the tank and there was.
I then reconnected the hose to the pump and and disconnected the fuel lines between the pump and the injectors. I cranked it but there was only a trickle coming out of one port (the one closest to the driver, not sure if it is called #1 or #2).
Just to see, I also connected an electric pump to see if I could push fuel through the injection pump, but the results was the same, only a trickle coming out of the one port.

Where I Need Help and Advice:
My line of thinking is that the lines are plugged due to the bypass of the filter and gunk in the fuel tank (drained and clean yesterday, there was rust and debris), or some mechanical parts are gummed up due to age. I will take the side cover that is over the springs later today to see if there is movement (YouTube Video). However, my question is could I clean of the two port by pushing air into the pump with an air compressor to clean out any blockage, or is that likely to damage to the pump or would a can of compressed air would work better in this situation?

I haven't checked or changed out the oil in the injection pump (using the information on other post), but I plan on doing it later today. However, I wanted to get a better sense of what common issues maybe preventing the flow. Once I know the fuel is being delivered and pushing through the pump I will check the injectors, or have him replace both.

Ok, got your pm, here are some pertinent.
1- The filter bowl and filter is not bypassed and actually was eliminated by the previous owner. That was not a goo thing he did. If I understand right the bowl and filter was changed with some paper media, cartridge in line filter.
2- That type of filter will work but not recommended as it can not trap moisture that collects on the bottom of the bowl that needs to be dumped occasionally. The intake pipe in the tank sits proud of the floor of the tank by 1/4" or so that causes heavier condensation/water to collect on the floor of the tank along with junk and derbies. if you have too much condensation as the tank is atmospheric then you can push liq water to injector pump which is not good.
3- The injector pump is a positive displacement piston type that pushes tiny amount of fuel by reciprocation of a camshaft. if you have a bit of air in the pump discharge pipe then it keep getting compressed and will not pump. it just pulsate. Liquid is not compressible but air is.
4- I would not use compressed air just now. There is a large screw on the side of the pump that actually bleed the air from tank to the injector pump.This section is gravity fed so if fuel tank valve is open and screw I mentioned is open it will burp the air till you get a steady flow of fuel which in that point y need to re-tighten the screw.
5-injector are above the fuel pup and higher level than the tank. Fuel flow from pump to injector happens only when the tractor is on of turned over by starter.
6- The fuel pump has a lot of moving part so I would not at all recommend disassembly at this point. I am hoping the piston appears not working might be air locked.
7- you need to remove all air from pump to injector by loosening the injector feed line by the injector just a bit. Do not completely loosen the retaining nut. have someone start the tractor (turn it over ) to force the pump to reciprocate,see if you get air bubble. As soon as you see steady fuel with no bubbles then tighten the nut. Do the same on both injector.
8- Preheat at least for 20 second,put the throttle in the middle and try to start.
9-do change the oil in the injector pump for sure just to make sure you have enough. it takes about 2 oz of whatever engine oil you use.

Report back to see where you are.

JC,

JC-jetro · Mar 6, 2021

Fuel pump innards.

JC

jones6780 · Mar 7, 2021

I would suggest removing the glow plugs to relieve compression as you will probably be using the starter a lot. If/when you get the plunger freed up, remove the fuel lines from the injector pump and then remove the the valves right under the fuel line connection. If I remember correctly there is a spring loaded plunger/check valve. Once fuel flows there continue with bleeding. Then reinstall glow plugs.