[C320-list] Perkins M30 Lift Pump, or ....

[Warren Updike]

First, using the lift pump to prime is not the best approach. Using the pump on the Racor filter body is easier. 
On the Perkins, the lift pump is run by a cam that contacts the lift pump actuator inside the block. If the position of the cam when the engine is stopped (and you’re trying to manually operate it,) is on the lift pump actuator you will not be able to operate the pump manually. Rotate the crank shaft a bit to move the cam off the actuator, or use the pump on the Racor, as you did.

Second, my man Nigel Calder (all things diesel,) says that white smoke can be due to:
...Lack of compression
...Water in the fuel
...Air in the fuel
...Defective injector
...Cracked cylinder head/leaking head gasket.
"White smoke is caused by water vapor in the exhaust or by totally unburned, but atomized, fuel."

Mark, if you want more info, contact me offlist.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
Middle River, MD (Chesapeake Bay)

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Seyler [mailto:mseyler at cox.net] 
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2018 12:15 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Perkins M30 Lift Pump, or ....

The Perkins M30 on my 1995 #232 has started stalling at idle, running rough up to around 1500rpm, and blowing light gray or white smoke out of the exhaust. My first thought was to change the Racor and secondary filters, but that didn’t help. And when I was bleeding the system after changing the filters, it didn’t seem as though the manual lever on the mechanical lift pump was moving as much fuel as I expected. (I used the piston pump on top of the racor instead.)
I’m wondering if the lift pump could be the source of the stalling and smoke. The engine starts quickly if I give it a little throttle, even after a stall. So I’m assuming it’s not loss of compression from the valves or rings. 
Does anyone have any other suggestions about diagnosing the possible cause, or advice about changing the lift pump?  I never had a Diesel engine until I bought my C320. 

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality

Sent from my iPhone