DETROIT DIESEL 53
Trouble Shooting (Engine) 15.2
Chart 3
ABNORMAL ENGINE OPERATION
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- SUGGESTED REMEDY -------------------------------- ------------------------------
1. Check the engine coolant temperature gage and, if the temperature does not reach 160 to 185 F. While the
engine is operating, consult the Abnormal Engine Coolant Temperature chart.
2. Check engine fuel spill back and if the return is less than specified, consult the No Fuel or Insufficient Fuel chart.
3. Check the 'injector timing and the position of the injector racks. If the engine was not tuned correctly, perform an
engine tune-up. Erratic engine operation may also be caused by leaking injector spray tips. Replace the faulty injectors.
4. Check the compression pressures within the cylinders and consult the Hard Starting chart if compression pressures
are low.
5. Erratic engine operation may be caused by governor-to-injector operating linkage bind or by faulty engine tune-up.
Perform the appropriate engine tune-up procedure as outlined for the particular governor used.
6. Perform an engine tune-up if performance is not satisfactory.
Check the engine gear train timing. An improperly timed gear train will result in a loss of power due to the valves and
injectors being actuated at the wrong time in the engine's operating cycle.
7. Perform a Fuel Flow Test and, if less than the specified fuel is returning to the fuel tank, consult the No Fuel or
Insufficient Fuel chart.
8. Check for damaged or dirty air cleaners and clean, repair or replace damaged parts.
Remove the air box covers and inspect the cylinder liner ports. Clean the ports if they are over 50% plugged.
Check for blower air intake obstruction or high exhaust back pressure. Clean, repair or replace faulty parts.
Check the compression pressures (consult the Hard Starting chart).
9. Incorrect operation of the engine may result in excessive loads on the engine. Operate the engine according to the
approved procedures.
10. Refer to Item 13 on Chart 4.
11. Check the ambient air temperature. A power decrease of .15 to .50 horsepower per cylinder, depending upon
injector size, for each 10 F. temperature rise above 90 F. will occur. Relocate the engine air intake to provide a cooler
source of air.
12. Engines lose horsepower with increase in altitude. The percentage of power loss is governed by the altitude at
which the engine is operating.
13. Fill oil bath air cleaners to the proper level with the same grade and viscosity lubricating oil that is used in the
engine.
Clean the air box and drain tubes to prevent accumulations that may be picked up by the air stream and enter the
engine's cylinders.
Inspect the blower oil seals by removing the air inlet housing and watching through the blower inlet for oil radiating away
from the blower rotor shaft oil seals while the engine is running. If oil is passing through the seals, overhaul the blower.
Check for a defective blower-to-block gasket. Replace the gasket, if necessary.
14. Refer to Item 1 of this chart.
15. Check injector timing and the position of each injector rack. Perform an engine tune-up, if necessary. If the engine
is correctly tuned, the erratic operation may be caused by an injector check valve leaking, spray tip holes enlarged or a
broken spray tip. Replace faulty injectors.
November, 1973 SEC.15.2
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