Well, I don't normally move along very quickly with these things, and this one is no exception.
Today, I did whatever I could get done. Mostly I am waiting on parts.
What I know at the end of the day...
The check valve on the top of the IP that goes to the return lines... Is fine. I took it out and checked it out. It was difficult to blow through. But then I got out a bright light, and put on a good pair of "inspection glasses".
Looked clean, through and through. Then used a pick to very gently poke at the glass ball... It moves freely. No blockage. No grit. Nuttin!
Got all that back together. Checked out the incoming and return lines. Everything is good.
Then I blew through the return line, back to the tank. There was a tiny bit of hesitation, then it popped, and suddenly it was easy to hear burbling in the tank every time I blew on the hose. So... Maybe there was a bit of obstruction in there? Possibility. But I don't think that was the problem. (Cause of the loping idle, and the smoke.)
(Side note: Diesel doesn't taste quite as bad as gasoline. But has a greasy aftertaste.
)
I have a question...
The return line that goes back up to the fuel filter.
That fitting in the fuel filter housing...
Is there supposed to be a check valve in there, as well? And if so, which direction is it supposed to flow?
Cause when I pulled the line off of it, there was a very steady stream coming out of the filter. It was strong enough to reach and drench the IP. And the stream stayed that way.
This was with the engine off and cold.
The gauge and other parts can't get here soon enough. I want to check the compression correctly. And I want to test injectors so I can put a balanced set in there. Then... I will try changing the pump timing.