1980, Injection problem?

[jellynpotatoes]

So, I purchased a 1980 diesel and have been working on it off and on. My problem is that I cannot get the car to start. It has started a couple of times (once after towing home, and another while messing around with it one day) but runs like two seconds before shutting off. I have been told that this is probably the injection pump, so I purchased a cheap pump(guarenteed to work). But, before I go any further I would like some opinions as to what you guys think? Injection pump or something else? Im a newbee so whatever info you can offer would be great...

[srgtlord]

These injection pumps tend to lose prime if left for a period of longer than 3 days. My diesel was displaying the same symptoms as yours, which is air in the fuel lines.
Heres what you do.
You have to prime the input line from the gas tank and force diesel into the injector pump. What I did on my diesel is I bought a fuel priming bulb from walmart then
1. Hooked it up to the input line from the gas tank and pumped until diesel came out.
2. Once diesel came out I disconected the input line on the injection pump, hooked up the other end of the primer bulb to the input line of the injection pump and forced diesel into the injection pump until it would take no more diesel.
3. I quickly hooked everything back up to the way it was
4. Turned the key, Fired right up.

[scopx]

Hope you have managed to get it running since the month old post.

There are bunch of things that can cause one not to run.
When you had it running (2 seconds)did by chance did you look at the exhaust?

White smoke means- partial fuel charge or partial preignition (fuel shortage or one or more glow plugs not working)

Blue smoke is usually means oil in combustion chamber

Black smoke means too much fuel-dripping injectors (aka runny nose) or burning out of accumulated fuel

As you know nothing about this motor, would recommend you start by pulling glow plugs and checking them with ohmmeter. If good, clean and reinstall.(get a book on rabbit diesel to learn how to check glow plugs)
Determine if electrical charge getting to glow plugs. You can tell by looking at amp gauge (if yours is equipped)at the load it makes on battery when key turned on. In cool weather, a good tight engine will usually fire on 2-3 plugs working, but will stumble good bit before warming.

All that said, if someone prior to you acquiring vehicle has opened fuel line by either pulling off fuel filter, or removing pump, the system will have to be purged of all "air" up to the injectors. This is accomplished by cracking injector lines AT EACH INJECTOR and cranking until fuel comes out.
If You change fuel filter, fill with fresh fuel BEFORE reinstalling. Getting fuel up to pump was discussed in prior post.
Would not recommend replacing pump at this time as is chore and timing critical if not familiar.
Do not recommend using starting fluid but only as last resort, real hard on motor.
Am sure have forgotten lots here, but brain dead now and have not had a cup of coffee yet.
It will be a good learning experience for you and will acquire an understanding of how these creatures work.
Usually the bosch injection pump failures are due to front pump bushing (yes, a bushing, not a bearing) wearing and allowing air into or fuel out of pump.
Get it on Guy, I gots to get some coffee.
TLS

[NintendoKD]

just like it says "no not a hijack" I have an 80' too just bought it and am only the third owner. Started and ran fine until tonight, for some reason the engine was difficult to start and when it did made a rattling sound like something was jumping around inside the engine "although could have been a loose bolt being thrown around in the timing belt housing" any way I have been noticing airin the fuel lines for some time now, however this is the first time she has given me trouble. I will proceed by checking my glow plugs "they are original and have never been changed" remove and check the fel filter "and replace if necessary, both of them" prime the lines to test for a bad pump and if the problem persists then I will need a new pump, correct? Also if the pump is what's needed ow can I go about getting a good one for a decent price "wife says I'm throwing our money away on this car" YEAH RIGHT!

Thanks,

Kevin

[srgtlord]

Overall finding a diesel pump on a nearby army base with sulfer still in it is what keeps my pump primed nowadays. Dont even have to use my electric pump anymore. If the problem persists on poor starting invest in a small low pressure electric pump for $50 to prime the bastard. The bosch injection pumps may leak a little but they will run once fuel is forced into it. Its cheaper than a $400 resealed pump.