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Any propane powered folks here? (forklift problems)

Desert_K5

Desert_K5

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I'm at a total loss when it comes to propane stuff. My forklift is the only propane powered item I've owned.

When idling in neutral it's fine. Apply any throttle at all it bogs or starves (don't know which). I can get it to rev up with a little work but once in gear it doesn't have enough power to move.

What should I check to start troubleshooting this? I'm open to suggestions to get this solved asap.

Early 1970's Forklift / Datsun / Nissan 4 cylinder / auto trans / used to be gasoline powered. Not sure what J code engine it is exactly but possibly a J15?
 
Had one do that . Service tech drained the mixer via a screw . HUGE amount of propane oil come out . He said dirty fill shops dont drain there oil and it gets passed on to you . Check this out might be it who knows .
 
I'll check it out. The mixer is the only piece I haven't had apart yet.
 
You got the tank indexed on the pin? It sucks the liquid from the bottom. Make sure you dont have any loose parts in the tank or something.
 
We have a little CAT/Mitsubishi one we got last year at work. Found out right away to not leave it out in the cold overnight. The mixer waxes up and it wouldn't even start. It stays inside now to keep it warm. I'd pull the mixer apart and clean it.
 
Truckman4life said:
We have a little CAT/Mitsubishi one we got last year at work. Found out right away to not leave it out in the cold overnight. The mixer waxes up and it wouldn't even start. It stays inside now to keep it warm. I'd pull the mixer apart and clean it.
Click to expand...
thats what happened to the one i talked about . the oil buildup got so thick in the mixer it gelled up .
 
I was told there was a difference in formulation in propane sold for "winter use" vs warm weather,but google says the USA doesn't blend propane with butane,so I guess that bunks that theory..

I had a propane stove in a camper I had didn't want to light when I tried using it in frigid cold weather,but worked OK after it was above 40 degrees..:dunno:

I do recall my dad telling me on natural gas for homes ,they did have to add more LNG vs Butane in frigid weather,as Butane doesn't vaporize well below 30 degrees F..he used to have to help LNG tanker trucks unload at the propane plants he supervised,sometimes that required sleeping on a cot at the plant for several nights till a cold snap passed..
 
Desert_K5 said:
I'm at a total loss when it comes to propane stuff. My forklift is the only propane powered item I've owned.

When idling in neutral it's fine. Apply any throttle at all it bogs or starves (don't know which). I can get it to rev up with a little work but once in gear it doesn't have enough power to move.

What should I check to start troubleshooting this? I'm open to suggestions to get this solved asap.

Early 1970's Forklift / Datsun / Nissan 4 cylinder / auto trans / used to be gasoline powered. Not sure what J code engine it is exactly but possibly a J15?
Click to expand...

I had that same forklift doing the same thing. I know propane stuff really well as my dad developed systems for GM. Could not get the thing to run after rebuilding everything. Turns out it was the funny little module in the distributor. Spark was going away as rpm went up. No HP under load.
 
They had 6 service companies look at it. They all said get rid of it and buy something newer. I do not remeber what the module was called, but it was u der the points.
 
Yeah, I keep hearing that too but up till this issue it's been fine. Most of the parts are still available, it apparently shares parts from a South African mini pick up.
 
Okay, update on specifics. The engine is a D11 Datsun used in Cablight models 1958-1966. Forklift model CFG101-1, so I'm narrowing down info for correct parts searching. @ktmoutfront is this the module you're talking about or is it inside/under the distributor cap?

IMG_0268.jpg
 
Desert_K5 said:
Okay, update on specifics. The engine is a D11 Datsun used in Cablight models 1958-1966. Forklift model CFG101-1, so I'm narrowing down info for correct parts searching. @ktmoutfront is this the module you're talking about or is it inside/under the distributor cap?

View attachment 299964
Click to expand...
That looks like a points condenser.
 
That is the condenser. This was a module under the cap below the points. But the one I worked on was a mid 70s version. I don't think yours will have that module with as early as it is. Have you cleaned and adjusted the points? Do you have an inline spark glass to watch the color of the spark?
 
I haven't adjusted points on anything, this would be the first time. I'm willing to learn.
 
Should have started there. Pull the cap. Rotate the engine to where the point open. Look for a little point on each side of the contacts. File those down flat. Then check the gap. Should be around .016 to .020.

This is a decent description of how they work and how to set them. Yours may be a little different physically, but it is the same process.
https://www.glenngoodspeed.com/volvo/POINTS.HTM
 
Thanks for the help I appreciate it.
 
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