Hitachi 470

[Quarryop]

Hi all new to the forum and looking for some advice. Hitachi 470 has issues I'm currently operating, It runs fine for 2hrs in the morning then on about the 2hr mark it cuts out like a fuel starvation problem. It will start again after about 20 seconds of turning over but then goes like a pig the rest of the day cutting out at least three more times and down on power like fuel starvation. When I start her the next day digger will spew out white smoke between 5 and 10 minutes until its warmed up then run perfect for the two hrs again. White smoke is defo over fuelling as it smells like that and eco consumption gauge is running at nearly 300 percent compared to 30 percent without the white smoke at tick over. Fuel filters were changed before the white smoke issue as old ones were stinking and all rubber fuel lines have been replaced as they were rigid and hard to see if it cured the issue. engine warning light comes on when she cuts out the first time in the day and stays on. Message on LCD display says "check engine or engine related components" I personally think its an engine component faulty as you could nearly set you watch when she's going to play up on the two hour mark but not entirely convinced? Any help greatly appreciated

 

[doobin]

Is it common rail?

 

[Quarryop]

Hi Doobin yes it is

 

[Smiffy]

The 13t hitachi do exactly the same when the water separator gets too full changing the little filter above the separator usually fixes it

 

[Quarryop]

Thanks smiffey, there's a charcoal type primary filter on this one if that's what you mean. Mechanic was to come back and change it to a bowl type as he said these were prone to leaking. He also disabled the bleed on it as I couldn't get anything out by turning the drain handle, theres a smaller half turn valve above it but i needed a screwdriver to turn it which I didn't have today. Not just sure if the primary filter is to blame

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

Tried running from a separate fuel can?

 

[Quarryop]

Idea for down the line mick once mechanic gets to the point that he suspects the tank is the issue.

 

[Quarryop]

I will post back on any improvements or if I manage to get the mechanic back

 

[Aftermaths]

Fuel tank breather blocked? Take fuel cap off next time it does it and listen for a vacuum, leave cap slack and see how it goes

Also check the air intake pipes aren't sucking closed under load, pipes can look fine but inner liner getting sucked down cutting airflow, pop them off for a minute to see if it runs any better

 

[Quarryop]

Mechanic hasn't arrived yet but I managed to steal a few hours at the digger this week, there was water in secondary filter, and not a good flow of fuel to the primary filter. I blew the line back to the tank but it didn't make a lot of difference. Looks like a tank cleaning job to start with and a new primary filter housing + secondary fuel paper filter

 

[Bri963]

Filter seals okay? Not gone hard or anything? Just had that on a dumper.

 

[Quarryop]

I chickened out at pulling the bottom secondary filter as I hadn't got a new paper filter anyways and because its accessed from below I hate diesel running into my arm pits I will let the mechanic handle that one as he is paid better than me. Tank is stinking for sure and the type of primary filter on her is known to give bother, so thats the first two issues, hopefully no more after that