• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Cat 3306B Power Loss/Stalling

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
Hello! I've got a 1989 Ford L9000 dump truck with a Cat 3306B engine in it. While I was running up through the gears the other day, the engine just stopped pulling. It didn't quit outright, but wouldn't accelerate no matter the throttle position. I pulled over and parked, and the engine then slowly dropped below idle and died. I shut off the key switch, turned it back to run, and it fired right back up. No hesitation, ran great! It has done this a couple of times since, but always fires right up after stalling. I have changed both fuel filters, cleaned the fuel tank, and replaced the fuel pickup hose to the tank. I have a transfer pump on order, I have not checked delivery fuel pressure yet. The issue seems to happen at or above 3/4 throttle. Just strange how it will instantly fire back up. Any ideas? Thanks for any help!
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
The shutoff solenoid seems good, I hear a solid click from it when I turn the key on and off. I cleaned the terminals on the solenoid itself and made sure it has good power and ground. Is it possible for one to partially fail? Once parked in neutral, engine speed slowly drops until it stalls, unlike shutting the key off. I see no smoke once it starts losing power.
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
Not sure on hours, but it has around 165,000 miles on it. Runs strong other than this issue.
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
Yeah it probably is controlled with a relay, I'll trace the wiring once I have it back in the shop. It's kind of annoying, I have a Ford L-series shop manual, but it doesn't make any mention of the Cat 3306 engine.
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
So I did drain the tank and clean it thoroughly, kind of convenient that the filler neck is arm-sized lol. I also replaced the fuel suction line, but wasn't able to remove the pickup tube with the tank mounted on the truck. Cap tether is still present. Kind of wish I would've pulled the tank when it was empty and checked that pickup tube now.
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
That's what has seemed odd to me too, it fires right back up and runs fine until the next time you get past that certain point in the throttle. Engine load also plays a role. I'm interested to see what it does once I replace the transfer pump, it's a plunger style one driven off the injection pump camshaft. I'll also be able to inspect the steel fuel lines at the same time.
 

funwithfuel

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2017
Messages
5,519
Location
Will county Illinois
Occupation
Mechanic
That's what has seemed odd to me too, it fires right back up and runs fine until the next time you get past that certain point in the throttle. Engine load also plays a role. I'm interested to see what it does once I replace the transfer pump, it's a plunger style one driven off the injection pump camshaft. I'll also be able to inspect the steel fuel lines at the same time.
Is it the kind you just pump furiously to prime and let it be, or is it the one you gotta lock down when it primes up. Those o-rings do get dry and leak air. The other thing to be watchful of is hidden racor fuel water separators or fuel pro . Those things will also suck air, but usually leave a fuel/dirt residue behind.
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
I see what you're saying about the pickup tube, I will definitely investigate that. It does have a priming pump, it screws down and locks. Would it be able to suck air screwed down? It does have a water separator, it's factory though. I replaced the o-ring that seals the bowl on it this spring. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
 

funwithfuel

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2017
Messages
5,519
Location
Will county Illinois
Occupation
Mechanic
Worst case scenario, if you don't find any obstructions, you can pinch or plug your return line. Apply 3-5 psi of air pressure to your tank with the vent plugged. This will force fuel throughout the system. Any external leaks that show up are sources of air intrusion. You must be careful when pressurising your tank. It's not designed for positive pressure. It will oil-can or knock rust off and leak, so be extremely cautious.
 

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
Can anybody tell me whether the injection pump on this 3306 is a sleeve or scroll metering type? Engine serial number is 63Z14319. Thank you!
 

d9gdon

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
1,517
Location
central texas
Screenshot 2022-11-15 121145.jpg

If it's like this one, it's a scroll type pump. I think they call it new or improved scroll type pump. The old scroll type pumps from the 60s and 70s were much narrower.

Another look at it from one on Ebay:

Screenshot 2022-11-15 121650.jpg
 
Last edited:

Cory W

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2022
Messages
35
Location
Upstate NY
Okay, update time. So I got the truck in the shop this morning. First thing I did was pressurize the tank, regulated at 6 PSI. Everything held pressure, soap tested all connections and the bowl on the primary filter, no leaks I can see. I just got done testing delivery fuel pressure to the pump, has a solid 30 PSI at idle, which I believe is within spec. I'm going to pull the supply line off of the primary filter housing and place it in a bucket, then apply pressure to the tank and see what I have for flow from the tank. I was kind of hoping I'd see low delivery pressure. I have a new lift pump coming tomorrow, I think I'll go ahead and install that anyways. Any more ideas? Thank you everyone for the help so far!
 
Top