Eberspacher D3L problems, help !

[TopDonkey]

Havent used my eberspacher for a while and went to fire it up last night and it wouldnt start, so i have been taking it apart today as i kept meaning to fit the new felt rings i got a few months back.

But i have found what i think it the problem, the fuel pipe (copper coloured one in the picture below) seems to be blocked, i have sprayed penetrating oil into it, blasted it with 120psi air pressure from my compressor, and nothing comes out of the little jet near the middle.

I have been trying to find an exploded diagram or explanation of how the fuel system works, as i'm now thinking that maybe it meters the fuel via a sort of paddlewheel arrangement and doesnt let fuel flow down this pipe unless the spindle is spinning ?, anyone have in-depth knowledge of how these work ?

And, can anyone think of anything else i can try to get it unblocked ?

 

[rivonia]

Havent used my eberspacher for a while and went to fire it up last night and it wouldnt start, so i have been taking it apart today as i kept meaning to fit the new felt rings i got a few months back.

But i have found what i think it the problem, the fuel pipe (copper coloured one in the picture below) seems to be blocked, i have sprayed penetrating oil into it, blasted it with 120psi air pressure from my compressor, and nothing comes out of the little jet near the middle.

I have been trying to find an exploded diagram or explanation of how the fuel system works, as i'm now thinking that maybe it meters the fuel via a sort of paddlewheel arrangement and doesnt let fuel flow down this pipe unless the spindle is spinning ?, anyone have in-depth knowledge of how these work ?

And, can anyone think of anything else i can try to get it unblocked ?

Can't help but suggest you go onto the Practical Boat site someone there will help
Happy New Year

Peter

 

[Sandyman]

Would seem more like your fuel metering pump is duff or dieso supply problem.

You on a swinging mooring TD ? Got any other form of heating ?

May be able to russel up a spare pump you can try.

 

[TopDonkey]

Hi Sandyman

I've tested the fuel metering pump by sparking 12v across it and each time its energised, and small quantity of fuel squirts out of the fuel line, so the pump appears to be ok, the bit in the picture is the end of the burner assembly as i have unbolted the chamber to fit the new felt rings, and have cleaned the fuel spreader wheel as it had carbon deposits on it, but the bit of fuel line in the picture doesnt pass any fuel or even pressurised air at all

I do have an electric fan heater, so am comfortable onboard as i have shorepower on my pontoon mooring, not sure i would like to be a liveaboard on a swinging mooring ! (does anybody do that ??)

 

[Sandyman]

Strange. Will PM you in a tad TD. Having a thunk

 

[Martin_J]

Having a think as well...

Back to first questions though - When you tried to start it, how far did it get?

Did the fan start spinning slowly, did the fan speed up and did the fuel pump start ticking? (.. or was it just a slow fan then silence?)

 

[Martin_J]

Small extra question - From the photo it looks like the fuel inlet tube exits at an angle. I expected it to come out straight.

 

[Sandyman]

After much thunk thunk ?????? Seen this before but be damned if i can remember the remedy or cause. You might try clagging the fuel line up to the pump and powering it up to see if you get fuel out of what you call the injector.
Hate it when things like this happen & cant instantly put thumb on it. Ahhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Mistroma]

Years since I took my old D3L apart. It was easy to work on and nothing very complicated about the "injection system".

As far as I remember that consisted of:

1) The pump- Small solenoid thingy that clicks up and down with a small metered pulse of fuel on each stroke. Sounds as if yours is working.

2) Pipe leading into heater. Nothing special here as far as I knew, sounds as if yours is blocked.

3) Rotating cup, fan on end and small holes near blades. The fuels drips on the inside wall of the rotating cup and forms a thin film. The film is drawn to the end of the cup (air flow & centripetal force?). Fine mist comes out holes at the end.

So simply (?) a matter of clearing the pipe. Unless there's a non-return valve in the pipe. I suppose that's a possibility. Perhaps some sort of ball stuck in wrong position.

I came across some manuals after I'd overhauled mine (always seem to find these after, never before). I'll see if I still have them and will look at this area if I find them.

 

[david_bagshaw]

can the delivery pipe be removed?, so you can remove the blockage?

 

[TopDonkey]

yes, fuel exit tube is supposed to be at an angle, it sprays onto the inside of a spinning wheel

I dont think the delivery pipe can be removed, i've pulled and twisted it quite hard with mole grips and it doesnt move at all, I'm sure it is just blocked, but am struggling to find a way to unblock it at the moment

 

[pauldoody]

Be very careful where you apply air pressur and 12v with eberspachers. (evilslashers) There are gauze pads in that can easily be destroyed and the pump voltage varies to control the output. As far as I know there is a filter on the inlet side of the pump. I is a tine little thing and you need to be very careful removing it. Do not open the outlet side of the pump as that is a pressure regulating valve and if upset it is a rightoff. try to get a manual online, I think the american sites are best for putting them up.
They are an evil little thing and imho should not be used on boats. I have given up on mine after spending a fortune (600 euro 0 on repairs. If you want to get someone to look at it make sure they have a diagnostic unit as most faults cannot be detected otherwise.

 

[Martin_J]

TopDonkey.... it was the inlet side of the pipe (to the right of the picture) that I was concerned about, not the exit... I was expecting it to come 'straight' out the bottom of the fitting... It looked a little kinked (possibly within the fitting)...

I was also wondering exactly how far the startup process went.. that will give a big clue.. without that info it's pure guesswork.

Thanks Martin.

 

[TopDonkey]

Cleared the blockage at last, had to remove the inlet pipe from the aluminium housing, my guess is that its press fitted in with a hydraulic press, i heated the whole assembly to about 60 degrees in the oven, then put some mole grips round the brass barrel bit that goes into the aluminium housing and twisted whilst pulling up hard, it took ages to free up and start coming out, but it eventually popped out and i found loads of black slimy gunge that looks like diesel bug possibly ?.
I scraped it out with a drill bit (it was moderately soft) then blasted oil down it, then compressed air, then flushed it with acetone, then more compressed air then hammered the copper pipe bit back into the aluminium housing (after heating just the housing again) and its all free flowing again at last

Now to reassemble the heater and see if it actually bursts back into life again (lets hope it does!!)

 

[Martin_J]

well done.. and if you have found that gunge in there then have you checked/replaced the little filter gauze that is in the lower (inlet) fitting of the fuel pump.

It's not an easy filter to find (sometimes gets stuck inside the pump)..

Good luck.

 

[Arigatou]

Ebespacher D3L

Hi
Had the same problem, used a nozzle cleaner from an oxy-acetylene set to clean it out. Now works fine.
PS the fuel delivery tube must be curved to discharge the fuel into the atomising cop.
Hope it helps