Oil & Fuel Dk45 won't start after fuel bowl change

TonyIdaho · Jun 2, 2011

I had a cracked fuel bowl that needed replacing. Did that, but now the tractor won't start. Not sure what I need to do? Can anyone give me step by step directions on this diesel engine. Since the tractor won't start, I can't just turn the valve to air and let it go out, unless I am missing something.
Thanks
Tony

VictorW · Jun 2, 2011

I have a CK30hst and not a DK45 but I imagine the fuel filter bowl is very similar. You should have three positions on the valve. Run, off, and air. After I put in a new filter and tighten the bowl, I just turn it to air and start cranking the engine over. The air bleeds out while you crank it and then the engine fires up. Once running, I turn the valve to run and all is fine. Mine works this way every time. I hope yours does the same.

TonyIdaho · Jun 2, 2011

Ok I will go try that. I hope it works. Thanks for the input. I was hearing "crack the fuel lines to bleed them..." and I thought there should be an easier way.

Thanks
Tony

VictorW · Jun 2, 2011

I haven't heard of anyone needing to crack the injector lines after changing the fuel filter. You "might" have to if you run it dry though but the manual says you shouldn't have to. The manual also says to let it run for 30 seconds in the air position. I guess me getting off the tractor while it's running and turning the valve to run is about 30 seconds. One thing I do but you don't have to is I partially fill the fuel bowl with diesel so I don't have to crank it over so much before it fires. I hope it's running and your off to the races.

TonyIdaho · Jun 2, 2011

Just got back in. The Kioti dealership said to crack the lines. I think that may have caused the air to get in the lines that way, but I just ASSUMED they were correct. Once I got the air out of the lines and switched the fuel bowl to AIR and a little starting fluid, it finally fired up. It took a while for the engine to sound right once it actually started, but now sounds fine and runs great. I even turned it off and back on just to make sure.

Thanks for your input.

Tony

VictorW · Jun 3, 2011

Not to contradict the dealer but try it next time without cracking the lines when you change the filter. I once had to drain my tank and everything up to the injector pump. Refilled the tank, valve to air, and it started up. Maybe another DK45 owner will post his procedure but it sounds crazy to have to crack the lines everytime you change a fuel filter. Glad it's running for you.

ToadHill · Jun 3, 2011

The way I've done it on my DK35 was to turn off the fuel and remove the fuel bowl. Clean it and install a new filter. I then put the cleaned bowl back on but did not tighten it. I opened the fuel shutoff back up and let it drain into the bowl until it was over flowing the bowl then tightened it up and I've never had any problem starting the tractor after performing that ritual.

grsthegreat · Jun 4, 2011

ToadHill said:
The way I've done it on my DK35 was to turn off the fuel and remove the fuel bowl. Clean it and install a new filter. I then put the cleaned bowl back on but did not tighten it. I opened the fuel shutoff back up and let it drain into the bowl until it was over flowing the bowl then tightened it up and I've never had any problem starting the tractor after performing that ritual.

same way i do it...i fill the bowl with diesel, this way theres no air introduced into the system. ive never had any issues.

PoorMansCat · Jun 4, 2011

All of these ways are adequate to do a normal filter change. But, there should be no reason to break the injector lines loose unless you are priming the high pressure side of the system. The only time this should be required is if the engine is ran completely out of fuel, of there is major work done to the engine where the inection pump/injector lines are removed.
Personally, i do not like the idea of pre-filling a fuel filter. With modern diesel injection pressure being increased for emissions compliance, better and better filtraion is required. Pre-filling a fuel filter allows unfiltered fuel on the filtered side of the system.

Coyote machine · Jun 5, 2011

Starting fluid- ether? NO, Don't do that! Very bad for the engine. VERY BAD! It is an ABSOLUTE NO NO! Throw away the starting fluid can.
Follow what was advised about turning petcock to off, change filter, turn to on to allow fuel to flow then re-tighten bowl after its overflowing and it should start with no problems....