DDEC 6V92

[WGCC Super]

HELP
I have a City bus with a DDEC 6v92, airstart. While I was in the process of the gutting and building it would start and move but then one day I went to start it, after no changes it would not start. The starter would engage, wind up the motor but it sounded like the starter would cut out then hit again. The engine would not even a chug. It did blow a little white smoke when I shot some ether in the aircleaner piping. Is there a Fuel shut off that might be the problem? Also, the ECU, is it like a car that just needs power or it is hooked into the bus electrical system. I appreciate any help that is offered. My first Deisel so sorry for the ignorance.
Oly

[WGCC Super]

HELP
I have a City bus with a DDEC 6v92, airstart. While I was in the process of the gutting and building it would start and move but then one day I went to start it, after no changes it would not start. The starter would engage, wind up the motor but it sounded like the starter would cut out then hit again. The engine would not even a chug. It did blow a little white smoke when I shot some ether in the aircleaner piping. Is there a Fuel shut off that might be the problem? Also, the ECU, is it like a car that just needs power or it is hooked into the bus electrical system. I appreciate any help that is offered. My first Deisel so sorry for the ignorance.
Oly

[Gary RVRoamer]

The most common reason for a non-start on a diesel is lack of fuel. Clogged fuel filters (algae can even grow in the fuel when they sit dormant too long), an air leak in a fuel line, or a weak lift or injector pump are some possible causes. There may be a solenoid that switches on the fuel flow too. I'm not familiar with the details of the 6V92 fuel system, so can't help pinpoint the problem.

It might help if you included the year of the engine and bus model as well. The components that feed fuel and air to the engine are added by the chassis builder rather than Detroit Diesel.

[DAN L]

look for an air cutoff reset on the intake manifold.
if you have one it may have tripped due to low oil pressure or high temperature among other things.
if you have one, you pull the handle against spring pressure and then set the air valve in place to hold it until the next event.
the air inlet trip device should be painted yellow.

[Steve Rankin]

A DD 6V92 should start instantly. Much quicker than the usual 4-stroke engine.

It takes 3 things for a diesel to run:

1. Air & lots of it.

2. Clean fuel

3. Compression

Since it's unlikely that you've lost compression because that requires a mechanical failure, that leaves air & fuel. In most diesels, the most common issue is fuel but DD's can also have issues with air because of the air flapper under the blower. Since it's easy, I'd check the flapper and make sure it hasn't been tripped.

Next, check for fuel. Does your installation have a fuel cutoff solenoid? I'd expect not since it's DDEC, but someone may have spec'd it that way out of force of habit.

If that's OK, then I'd check out the DDEC system. As I recall, the timing sensor is a likely culprit. Check for loose or disconnected wires at every sensor on the engine.