Old Magirus 3 cyl keeps cutting out

[LKSF]

I have one of these:

In an old compressor, but it keeps randomly cutting out and stopping.
Letting it rest 20 mins or starting it cold seems to let it run for longer (maybe 20 mins or more) before it misses a few times then stops. I go over and it starts up straight away, runs for 3 to 5 mins then just stops again. It'll start up and run once more before doing the same.
Anyone any ideas as to what it might be?

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

A few things to check that I can see from the picture, on the left is a silt trap, it looks like it has discolouration on the bottom, needs cleaning out, making sure all the seals and o rings are good, next to that is a hand pump, take the outlet pipe off the hand pump, put your finger over the end, pump the top of the hand pump a few times, if the pump top stays in, it’s good. JCB filter! Maybe if it’s the same thread and o ring diameter it may work fine. Next, the mechanical pump on the engine have a plastic top which is a gauze filter inside if to tight, they leak air in and the o ring must seat well, just to start with There other things to move on to once you have checked these few.

 

[GazCro]

I think Mick might be the most anti Jcb on here

 

[V8Druid]

fuel tank breather blocked? run it with the cap loose

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

I think Mick might be the most anti Jcb on here

I worked for them for a bit! Some ideas are good! On the Deutz the filter was bigger than the one fitted,

 

[Steve]

Is it possible the engine has overheated as it relies on all panels to be in place to duct the air from the fan through the oil cooler?

 

[Canal Navvy]

Check the oil level in the compressor

 

[LKSF]

Thanks all, will follow up your pointers and report back

 

[Steve]

When it cuts out does the fuel solenoid drop out ( can be seen just to the right of oil filler) if so could be a low level problem as Canal Navvy says

 

[Canal Navvy]

Check the oil level in the compressor

Thinking about something I last wrestled with over thirty years ago , think it goes like this;

The air compressors governor controls the full travel of the engines injection pumps rack, all the way from full throttle (maximum air demand) down to stop. When the engine drops down to idle the air compressors governor is balancing air pressure with internal oil pressure. If the compressors oil level gets low (leading to low oil pressure) the air overcomes the oil and the rack goes beyond idle into stop.

The dipstick on the compressor will be a pretty hefty screw on jobby as it will be under pressure when operating

 

[LKSF]

Thinking about something I last wrestled with over thirty years ago , think it goes like this;

The air compressors governor controls the full travel of the engines injection pumps rack, all the way from full throttle (maximum air demand) down to stop. When the engine drops down to idle the air compressors governor is balancing air pressure with internal oil pressure. If the compressors oil level gets low (leading to low oil pressure) the air overcomes the oil and the rack goes beyond idle into stop.

The dipstick on the compressor will be a pretty hefty screw on jobby as it will be under pressure when operating

It is a likely candidate as I hastily dragged it into position and it's sat at a bit of an angle, I could jack it up and set it level. I live on the Pennines, everything is on a slope here!

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

You could remote wire the fuel stop solenoid, to see if it’s a fuel issue!

 

[LKSF]

Check the oil level in the compressor

Well I think you were right so thanks and a virtual beer to you sir I jacked it up and sat it level on some blocks, it ran fine all afternoon.
Now i'll find out what oil it needs and get some bought, I think I` have a manual for it somewhere, but since we moved everything has been put in strange places so I can't find it
It's a good old machine, i'm guessing 1980s perhaps and still going strong.

 

[V8Druid]

result ............................................. again