VM294 2cyl diesel engine problem..

[hotponyshoes]

So, a mate of mine has a low-loader and it has this 2cyl diesel engine on it to run a hydraulic pump.

It's a VM294 (Italian i think, maybe about 1985 sort of year?)

Apparently this is a sudden problem, not something that has slowly gotten worse..

It struggles to start, won't rev once started, and won't stop running once it has started.

There is a plate/cover on the side of the block and the throttle lever is mounted on this. Behind this plate there looks like a camshaft driving 2 separate fuel pumps.
Between each fuel pump is a rod that seems to be linked to both pumps via a pin producing from the pump body.
This rod looks to control the fuel somehow.
There is a stop knob at one end of the rod, it is not directly linked, rather just bent behind so I presume it shuts off all fuel once pulled then the rod should move back to the idle position.

The throttle lever is some complicated adjustment of springs etc that I have not figured out yet.

Everything seems well serviced, all nice and clean and plenty of oil etc.

The rod between the 2 pumps does not want to slide in the direction I would expect it to. Seems stuck solid?

Anyone ever messed with anything like this before? Any ideas?

 

[frank horton]

has it been stood around for a longish time.......?
I get several jobs like this a month.......mostly tractors tho.......seems that this crap fuel with Methanol (veggy oil that the gov likes) absorbs water, rusting the pumps internals.....
have 4 cyl Fergy waiting for a partial inj pump strip......
could be something simpler......
also these small engine have very small fuel filters and reg get clogged up with crap and water.....
nobody ever thinks of the maintainence until it won't start......
hope this help a little.....
ps does the rod move 1 way and not the other ?
those little engine are quite good generally.......

 

[chris pruteanu]

Probably a Lombardini engine if it’s Italian made...quite good engines !

 

[merryman]

I googled it, VM are big in automotive Diesels now (Range Rover, London Taxi, etc,) and are now part of Fiat, but started as stationary engine makers. The rod mentioned will be for the "rack" and either the governor or one pump has seized on the rack. Apparently pump racks are delicate so don't force things. Check the governor over in case it is this that is giving trouble, but pump bodies may be best left to your local diesel pump/injector repair shop.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I had another quick look this morning,
The rack seems ok but I think it might be one of the pumps stuck somehow.

Looks like a fair bit of work to get either of them out though so will be a job for tonight!