I purchased a used BX24 with 220 hours about a year ago. First eight months and 20 hours of use everything ran and operated well. Now, engine is running a somewhat rough other than at idle and just very recently seemed to stall out several times both with a load and without a load momentarily and then recover almost immediately (engine did not stop running). Despite running somewhat rough, engine does seem to develop adequate power even though I'm running it at less than 3k rpms.
Initially, I checked quality of fuel in tank by draining some fuel from the fuel line feeding the first fuel filter. No evidence of water or impurities. I cut open the first fuel filter -- some gunk was found in this filter but second filter appeared clean. I replaced first and second fuel filters. I checked quality of fuel feeding the injection pump, no water, no visible impurities. I checked volume of fuel flow -- seems fine. I just recently checked static pressure of fuel line feeding injector pump -- it came in at 3.5 psi - 4.0 psi using a reliable OTC gauge. It seems to me that the volume and pressure of the "lift pump" is fine. I also checked the individual injectors using an inexpensive but effective injector testing device. The spray patterns were fine as were the "pop" off pressure readings. There were no leaks at pressures below the specified pop off pressures.
In a few days, I'll be receiving a diesel engine compression tester. I don't think the symptoms I've experienced relate to a worn out engine but I thought I'd check to see the overall condition of the engine anyway.
Before I remove the injection pump and start playing with it, what other actions / investigations should I reasonably take?
Initially, I checked quality of fuel in tank by draining some fuel from the fuel line feeding the first fuel filter. No evidence of water or impurities. I cut open the first fuel filter -- some gunk was found in this filter but second filter appeared clean. I replaced first and second fuel filters. I checked quality of fuel feeding the injection pump, no water, no visible impurities. I checked volume of fuel flow -- seems fine. I just recently checked static pressure of fuel line feeding injector pump -- it came in at 3.5 psi - 4.0 psi using a reliable OTC gauge. It seems to me that the volume and pressure of the "lift pump" is fine. I also checked the individual injectors using an inexpensive but effective injector testing device. The spray patterns were fine as were the "pop" off pressure readings. There were no leaks at pressures below the specified pop off pressures.
In a few days, I'll be receiving a diesel engine compression tester. I don't think the symptoms I've experienced relate to a worn out engine but I thought I'd check to see the overall condition of the engine anyway.
Before I remove the injection pump and start playing with it, what other actions / investigations should I reasonably take?
