TC-30 Fuel Flow problem

[mse103]

My TC-30 seems to have a fuel flow problem. first tractor so i dont know how fast the fuel should come out when the sediment bin and fuel filter is removed, seems pretty slow to me, takes about 30 seconds of gravity feeding to fill up. When using at high rpm or load, tractor uses more fuel than the tank can supply, this can bee seen by the fuel line dropping in the fuel filter assembly.

I have replaced the filter, cleaned the sediment bowl which was very nasty) and bled the air through the bleed screw. Problem repeats itself.

Is it possible that there is more sediment in the tank, or the line? What should i do next? I saw some posts that mention a tank screen, where is this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JC-jetro]

My TC-30 seems to have a fuel flow problem. first tractor so i dont know how fast the fuel should come out when the sediment bin and fuel filter is removed, seems pretty slow to me, takes about 30 seconds of gravity feeding to fill up. When using at high rpm or load, tractor uses more fuel than the tank can supply, this can bee seen by the fuel line dropping in the fuel filter assembly.

I have replaced the filter, cleaned the sediment bowl which was very nasty) and bled the air through the bleed screw. Problem repeats itself.

Is it possible that there is more sediment in the tank, or the line? What should i do next? I saw some posts that mention a tank screen, where is this?

Thanks in advance.

The fuel tank intake pipe is not flush with the bottom of the fuel tank and itis slightly higher so a bit of sediment in the bottom should not be major problem. Depending the terrain your tractor travels can cause the fuel to be sloshed around and picking up dirt from the bottom. why don't you shut of the valve from the tank to your sediment bowl, remove the fuel hose from the tank and invert it in a clean plastic cup or bottle and then turn the valve on. You should see an steady stream of fuel coming out but not with a lot of pressure. if your intake pipe is a bit clogged then you can blow some compressed air from the end of the hose to the tank. I had an issue as such and a piece of rubber from the fuel cap was lodged in the intake pipe. I turned the fuel off, took the fuel pipe off, inserted an air nozzle in the hose, opened the tank valve and injected air back in to tank. That's all it took to open it up. later for good measure took the tank off and cleaned it internally.


JC,

 

[mse103]

Thanks, tractor is 2 hours away from my air compressor, so i didnt have it with me. Sounds great, i assume the tank is accessed by removing the entire dashboard assembly.
Thanks!

M

 

[Transit]

There is another possibility, have you removed the sediment bowl assembly from the fuel tank? In my Jinma there was a screen filter in the sediment bowl filter nipple that is out of sight in the tank, it is the first filter to clog. Cant see it, dont know its there.
Remove that filter, not to worry; there is another filter screen in the top of the sediment bowl. Now you will be able to easily clean the crud out.

 

[JC-jetro]

Thanks, tractor is 2 hours away from my air compressor, so i didnt have it with me. Sounds great, i assume the tank is accessed by removing the entire dashboard assembly.
Thanks!

M

I do have several small tanks also, and I keep one in my jeep. Short hose, quick disconnect and air nozzle for times that I need a it of compressed air.. It is good to have one of those small hot dog shaped compressor in your vehicle when you go to the farm. I carry enough tools in my jeep all the time that enables me to make a mess of things in short order.

JC,

 

[emorris]

I have seen several posts recently regarding tractors that were having problems with fuel. I had the same problem on a 555E backhoe. The machine had sit up for several months, and the first time I used it afterwards it only ran for a short time. After many hours of replacing fuel filter and bleeding the system I discovered that some type of alge had cloged the fitting on the sediment bowl. Not long afterwards I had the same problem on a case 560 dozer. Never had a problem with the alge before, but knew it could happen. Just wondering if anyone uses the additive that kills the alge in there storeage tanks. When You said the sediment was nastey, what was in it. If it was slimey you may have the same problem I did. You may remove the inlet line at the bowl and see if anything is clogged.

Mse103 I also have a tc30 and I never have had any fueling problems with it though, but it does get ran more than the dozer and backhoe.

 

[Jbrink64]

I have seen several posts recently regarding tractors that were having problems with fuel. I had the same problem on a 555E backhoe. The machine had sit up for several months, and the first time I used it afterwards it only ran for a short time. After many hours of replacing fuel filter and bleeding the system I discovered that some type of alge had cloged the fitting on the sediment bowl. Not long afterwards I had the same problem on a case 560 dozer. Never had a problem with the alge before, but knew it could happen. Just wondering if anyone uses the additive that kills the alge in there storeage tanks. When You said the sediment was nastey, what was in it. If it was slimey you may have the same problem I did. You may remove the inlet line at the bowl and see if anything is clogged.

Mse103 I also have a tc30 and I never have had any fueling problems with it though, but it does get ran more than the dozer and backhoe.

Slimey/black=algae. A good diesel shop or fuel supplier will have biocide. Don't let them sell you conditioner, it won't work. Follow the biocide directions closely. Stock up on fuel filters, or, install an in-line filter on the line coming out of the tank. When that stuff dies off, it will plug a filter quickly. Last thing, if you have algae contamination,treat it fast. As it "feeds" on the fuel, byproducts will damage the expensive workings of pumps, nozzles, and steel fuel tanks.

 

[emorris]

Slimey/black=algae. A good diesel shop or fuel supplier will have biocide. Don't let them sell you conditioner, it won't work. Follow the biocide directions closely. Stock up on fuel filters, or, install an in-line filter on the line coming out of the tank. When that stuff dies off, it will plug a filter quickly. Last thing, if you have algae contamination,treat it fast. As it "feeds" on the fuel, byproducts will damage the expensive workings of pumps, nozzles, and steel fuel tanks.

I have used the biocide and I did have to change my fuel filter on my tank a couple of times. I intended for my post to be more for information for those that did not know of the alge and the problems that it could cause.

 

[Jake1297]

One more thing you may try. Change your fuel cap if it of the vented type. I had the same problem and tried everything till a mechanic told me to try changing the cap. It worked fine after that. You can check this by loosening the cap to let air into the tank and starting it, or take the cap off and start it.

 

[mse103]

I'm the original poster, and i never did fix this problem. This tractor is only used in the summer.

Problem still exists heres what ive done

1) removed sediment bowl, cleaned it out, put in new filter
2) blew compressed air up the flexible hose to the tank
3) confirmed fuel flow from tank to flexible hose is rather fast.....
4) confirmed that with sediment bowl removed, and valve is in ope, there is a steady flow of fuel, it seems slow, its a very light trickle....
5) confirmed that the air vent at the top of the sediment bowl/fuel shutoff valve is clear.
6) blew air from the tank side of the sediment bowl (intake side) to make sure its clear

To recap, if im in low i dont have any problems. If Im in med with PTO or in high with or without PTO, eventually the fuel level in the sediment bowl will slowly drop depending on throttle, until the engine starves fuel, then of course it may start, or i may have to bleed the system.

In high i can reproduce the problem by driving at full speed, full throttle for about 100 yards and then slow down to look at the level of fuel in the sediment bowl.

I'm now thinking the problem is in the sediment bowl/shutoff valve?

What is the screw (rusted) thats on the top of the sediment bowl directly over the shutoff valve?

Mark

 

[JC-jetro]

I'm the original poster, and i never did fix this problem. This tractor is only used in the summer.

Problem still exists heres what ive done

1) removed sediment bowl, cleaned it out, put in new filter
2) blew compressed air up the flexible hose to the tank
3) confirmed fuel flow from tank to flexible hose is rather fast.....
4) confirmed that with sediment bowl removed, and valve is in ope, there is a steady flow of fuel, it seems slow, its a very light trickle....
5) confirmed that the air vent at the top of the sediment bowl/fuel shutoff valve is clear.
6) blew air from the tank side of the sediment bowl (intake side) to make sure its clear

To recap, if im in low i dont have any problems. If Im in med with PTO or in high with or without PTO, eventually the fuel level in the sediment bowl will slowly drop depending on throttle, until the engine starves fuel, then of course it may start, or i may have to bleed the system.

In high i can reproduce the problem by driving at full speed, full throttle for about 100 yards and then slow down to look at the level of fuel in the sediment bowl.

I'm now thinking the problem is in the sediment bowl/shutoff valve?

What is the screw (rusted) thats on the top of the sediment bowl directly over the shutoff valve?

Mark

Mark,

Have you checked the gravity flow from discharge of sediment bowl to pump intake? It appears the fuel pump is doing what it should and there exist some restriction in the intake side not allow full flow. I had a bit similar situation where a piece do rubber from, the cap partially blocked the valve port, as the result tractor idled just fine but if I gave it a bit more gas it then it hesitated and would go faster.

JC,

 

[mse103]

JC,
Well theres no fuel pump on this tractor, its all gravity feed i believe. The sediment bowl has three hoses, one to the injectors, one to the fuel tank, and a vertical one that looks like an air vent hose. doesnt look like any of these are clogged. I can easily bleed air out of the system until the sediment bowl is full of fuel, but a 'high fuel use" the fuel level drops. I wonder if it may truely be a vacuum situation pulling air in, I thought i tried with the fuel cap off. Either way ive learned alot about this tractor.

 

[dqdave1]

Have you tried removing the fuel cap/? It may be plugged causing the drop in sediment bowl.
I would run hose from tank to injectors direct and see if problem goes away.
Make sure you have no air leaks at all fittings.

 

[JC-jetro]

JC,
Well theres no fuel pump on this tractor, its all gravity feed i believe. The sediment bowl has three hoses, one to the injectors, one to the fuel tank, and a vertical one that looks like an air vent hose. doesnt look like any of these are clogged. I can easily bleed air out of the system until the sediment bowl is full of fuel, but a 'high fuel use" the fuel level drops. I wonder if it may truely be a vacuum situation pulling air in, I thought i tried with the fuel cap off. Either way ive learned alot about this tractor.

Mark,

How could you not have a fuel pump? If your tractor is a TC-30 and for sure diesel then you have a fuel pump. The fuel is not lifted in to the injection pump but it is available to pump inlet by gravity.

JC,

 

[Caliche]

"I'm the original poster, and i never did fix this problem. This tractor is only used in the summer.

Problem still exists heres what ive done

1) removed sediment bowl, cleaned it out, put in new filter
2) blew compressed air up the flexible hose to the tank
3) confirmed fuel flow from tank to flexible hose is rather fast.....
4) confirmed that with sediment bowl removed, and valve is in ope, there is a steady flow of fuel, it seems slow, its a very light trickle....
5) confirmed that the air vent at the top of the sediment bowl/fuel shutoff valve is clear.
6) blew air from the tank side of the sediment bowl (intake side) to make sure its clear

To recap, if im in low i dont have any problems. If Im in med with PTO or in high with or without PTO, eventually the fuel level in the sediment bowl will slowly drop depending on throttle, until the engine starves fuel, then of course it may start, or i may have to bleed the system.

In high i can reproduce the problem by driving at full speed, full throttle for about 100 yards and then slow down to look at the level of fuel in the sediment bowl.

I'm now thinking the problem is in the sediment bowl/shutoff valve?

What is the screw (rusted) thats on the top of the sediment bowl directly over the shutoff valve?

Mark "

I think your #3 rules out the fuel cap.
Looks like #4 is your problem.
I believe that your shut off valve is restricted. And I think that (rusted) screw is the stop for your shut off. I would take that assembly apart and clean it.

The TC30 has an injection pump but not a fuel pump, not quite sure what JC was explaining. But it is Sat. night after watching Arizona lose to Uconn, nothing makes sense.........

 

[JC-jetro]

Fuel pump and fuel injection pumps are both pumps. Fuel injection pump can develop much more pressure that let's just say automotive fuel pump for an engine with carburetor. All I'm saying if OP has good fuel flow to inlet of the pump, part #13 or pump inlet. if there is restriction between the fuel bowl and inlet to the pump can cause fuel starvation to the pump or fuel pump can not suck fuel as much as it is able to discharge.

JC,

 

[Jerry/MT]

I'm the original poster, and i never did fix this problem. This tractor is only used in the summer.

Problem still exists heres what ive done

1) removed sediment bowl, cleaned it out, put in new filter
2) blew compressed air up the flexible hose to the tank
3) confirmed fuel flow from tank to flexible hose is rather fast.....
4) confirmed that with sediment bowl removed, and valve is in ope, there is a steady flow of fuel, it seems slow, its a very light trickle....
5) confirmed that the air vent at the top of the sediment bowl/fuel shutoff valve is clear.
6) blew air from the tank side of the sediment bowl (intake side) to make sure its clear

To recap, if im in low i dont have any problems. If Im in med with PTO or in high with or without PTO, eventually the fuel level in the sediment bowl will slowly drop depending on throttle, until the engine starves fuel, then of course it may start, or i may have to bleed the system.

In high i can reproduce the problem by driving at full speed, full throttle for about 100 yards and then slow down to look at the level of fuel in the sediment bowl.

I'm now thinking the problem is in the sediment bowl/shutoff valve?

What is the screw (rusted) thats on the top of the sediment bowl directly over the shutoff valve?

Mark

Is the tank vented through the fuel cap or otherwise? Make sure the tank vent is clear.

What's your fuel delivery system look like? Is it tank to tank valve to hose to sediment bowl/filter to injector pump?