Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel

   / Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel #1  

dmccarty

Super Star Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2000
Messages
12,573
Location
Triangle Of North Carolina
Tractor
JD 4700
Today I went out to the property to mow. Its been two
months according to my notes. I really don't think its been
that long but at least 4 weeks. The grass was long but it
sure did not seem like two months long.

I get out there, wade through the tick and chiggers to get to
the tractor and she fires right up.

Then dies a few seconds later. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Lots of WHITE smoke.

The last time I was on the tractor I was almost out of fuel
so I had bought 10 gallons on the way out so I walked back to
the truck which was a good distance since I had parked out
of the way to mow. My driveway was really sprouting grass.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I put five gallons in the tractor and same problem. I
popped the hood and found a nice mouse nest. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I check the air filters and they look fine. The tractor has
411.2 hours and I have just done the 400 hour service which
included changing air and fuel filters. I want to look at the
air instake hose but I need a screw driver...

The good news is that I had brought my tools. The bad news
is that they are a long walk back at the truck. The other
bad news is that I left my screw drivers at the house. They
are in the bathroom I have been fixing which is one of the
reasons for the long time between tractor usage. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I always
carry a Swiss Army knife. But its missing. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Its a good thing I'm by myself so I can cuss and throw a fit
in peace. Not a nice thing to see a grown man throwing a fit.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soooo, off I go to a small, local Sears to get a set of screw
drivers.

$21 and 15 minutes later I'm back. Not to bad. I also found
the Swiss Army knife as soon as I pulled into Sears. I drive
the truck to as near the tractor as I can get. No mean task
with the holes, stumps and rocks but it gets done.

I take apart the air intake and there is no mouse! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I look at the fuel filter bowl but I can't really see it since I
have the FEL on the tractor and it kinda hard to see with it
in the way.... After much looking at different angles It looks
like the ring is floating in water so I'll have to take off the
filter. This take 30 minutes and three wrenchs to work around
the FEL. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The fuel bowl is fuel of GUNK. Ugly Gunk!!!!! I clean up the
filter bowl and put it back on. The tractor still won't start.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Lots of white smoke. I drain some fuel. It looks good.

I'm figuring the filter with 11 hours on it is full of gunk and by
this time I'm not likely to get a new one since the dealership
is 45 minutes away and its already past their closing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I start taking all the fuel lines off their fittings. Find MORE
white GUNK! The Gunk looks like little white drops. I try the
tractor one more time. No go but lots of white smoke.

At this point I figure the battery is about toast so I figure I
had better take it out and bring it home to charge. At least
the truck is nearby so I don't have to hump the battery out
of the woods. Been There Done That. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Grrrrrrr!

Alright lets clean everything up and give it one more try. I
climb up on the tractor and since I'm taking the battery home
I really hit it hard!

AND THE TRACTOR STARTS!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Wah HOOOOOOOO! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I left the tractor running, picked up the tools, and drove
the truck back to its spot. Ran the tractor for 5-6 hours at
PTO speed and no problems.

So what the heck was the white stuff? Alge or wax?

My dad always said to leave a diesel tank as full as possible to
keep the condesation down. This has been the longest I have
ever had to leave the tractor sitting.

If its alge what biocide can I put in? The white PowerService
I have been using was to prevent gelling. I guess I need
something else....

At least it was not to hot and humid, the tractor started,
stay started, and I got a lot mowed!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan
 
   / Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel #2  
Sounds like water in the fuel. You just need to figure out where it came from.
Whether it be rainfall getting in somehow, water in the fuel can that was used, or water in the fuel from the place you purchased fuel.


Hope this helps,
Don
 
   / Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel #3  
If the fuel tank was close to empty it could also be condensation. 4 weeks or longer is alot of time for an empty tank to condensate. Sitting that long, gives fuel a good chance to deteriorate and start algae growth also.
Best advise is keep the fuel tank full and use a good fuel conditioner.
 
   / Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel #4  
Very likely water from condensation. My owners manual says to keep the tank full. It's diesel.
 
   / Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel #5  
Was your tractor sitting there during the winter?

This last winter, I had some problems with my tractor trying to cut out on me when pushing snow. Once, I had to drive it part throttle down the street to get back home. Siphoned the tank and found 2 globs of white wax near the outlet hole out of the tank to the filter.

Earlier, I had taken the diesel back to the dealer thinking it was water. They tested it all and said, "No water". So, I told them that I guess they wouldn't mind putting it back into their tanks and refunding my money (on the first 15 gallons of off road I'd ever bought). Refilled the 3 containers with B5. Used that to refill the tank once I fished out the 2 globs of wax.

Water won't glob up like that, but if you had it in the fuel bowl with some separation there, you may have had water. My globs never got out of the tank. They just partly blocked the outlet line.

Ralph
 
   / Tractor Failed To Start/White Gunk in Fuel #6  
This might be a new record. Almost 7 years old. :D
 
 
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