old 1440 gets no fuel

[jimmysisson]

I mostly post over in the Ford tractor forum, but now my CC 1440 1993 model is starved for fuel. It's a twin Briggs OHV engine, runs great. About 500 hours on the machine. Plenty of gas in the tank, only a little shows in the inline filter. I've disassembled the Mikuni fuel pump (think that's what it is; vacuum operated, not mechanical) but put it back on clean: no joy.

Took top off the carb, I filled the float bowl with gas, reassembled, and it ran for 40 sec or so before starving, as you might expect. Inline filter is easy to blow through. Diaphragms in the pump appear fine. Fuel lines look and feel good, though I did not take them off. Gas is a month old, treated as always with Marine Stabil, though I did add a couple tablespoons of Sea Foam to this tank, for no good reason. Float bowl had just a tad of sediment, float needle looked fine.
So, can these pumps go bad without visual problems? Is there a way to test them? Should I replace the inline filter though it seems fine?
I've had this tractor 10 years without almost a single problem. This same thing happened a few years ago, but disassemble/reassemble the pump seemed to fix it. Not this time. Any advice?
Thanks, Jim

 

[rcbe]

might just start by first pulling the spark plug (and grounding it), then disconnecting the fuel line at the carb & re-routing the feed line to a catch basin; having an assistant crank the engine while you observe for good fuel flow.
If so, prob is in carb or further. If not, time for new fuel lines/fuel filter (Kohler OEM!!)/fuel pump right on back to fuel tank until good flow is achieved..
Chk components one at a time - you'll find the culprit

 

[jimmysisson]

Thanks. Does this pump pull fuel? There's no pump that pushes fuel, right? The pull-type pumps are sensitive to fuel line cracks, I imagine. This one does not fill the float bowl, so I don't think the carb is the problem.
I should start with a new filter and lines, though, you're right. I've had this ten years and never pulled either plug. It's a Briggs horizontal twin, not Kohler.
By the way, how do you change the hydro filter without losing all the fluid? Hoist the front of the tractor straight up? I want to change the filter but the fluid's only got 60 hours or so on it.
Thanks again, Jim

 

[rcbe]

By the way, how do you change the hydro filter without losing all the fluid? Hoist the front of the tractor straight up? I want to change the filter but the fluid's only got 60 hours or so on it.
Thanks again, Jim

Well... given what the tranny is worth or costs to fix, I would eat the cost of new fluid. But - if you are a good shadetree mechanic - you'll figger out a way to CLEANLY catch that old fluid, run it thru some GOOD filtration and get it back in the tranny with a new filter. The _last_ _thing_ _you_ _want_ _to _do_ is to put contaminated fluid back in that tranny..... good luck.

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Thanks. Does this pump pull fuel? There's no pump that pushes fuel, right? The pull-type pumps are sensitive to fuel line cracks, I imagine. This one does not fill the float bowl, so I don't think the carb is the problem.
I should start with a new filter and lines, though, you're right. I've had this ten years and never pulled either plug. It's a Briggs horizontal twin, not Kohler.
By the way, how do you change the hydro filter without losing all the fluid? Hoist the front of the tractor straight up? I want to change the filter but the fluid's only got 60 hours or so on it.
Thanks again, Jim

Those pumps aren't the greatest even when they are working. I ran my 3235 (Kohler 25 with rocker actuated fuel pump) out of gas once and it took me quite awhile to get the pump primed even using starting fluid.
I get the new trans filter ready to install, lubricating the rubber gasket, and then I jack up the front of the tractor as far as possible. I quickly unscrew the old filter and install the new one. I lose less than a pint of fluid, mostly just what the filter holds.

Bob B.

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Thanks. Does this pump pull fuel? There's no pump that pushes fuel, right? The pull-type pumps are sensitive to fuel line cracks, I imagine. This one does not fill the float bowl, so I don't think the carb is the problem.
I should start with a new filter and lines, though, you're right. I've had this ten years and never pulled either plug. It's a Briggs horizontal twin, not Kohler.
By the way, how do you change the hydro filter without losing all the fluid? Hoist the front of the tractor straight up? I want to change the filter but the fluid's only got 60 hours or so on it.
Thanks again, Jim

Those pumps aren't the greatest even when they are working. I ran my 3235 (Kohler 25 with rocker actuated fuel pump) out of gas once and it took me quite awhile to get the pump primed even using starting fluid. I would check the hose(s) feeding the pump for cracks or soft rubber possibly collapsing. You could try temporarily bypassing the line with a piece of fuel hose.
I get the new trans filter ready to install, lubricating the rubber gasket, and then I jack up the front of the tractor as far as possible. I quickly unscrew the old filter and install the new one. I lose less than a pint of fluid, mostly just what the filter holds.

Bob B.

 

[jimmysisson]

Turned out to be the pump. A new one at the local equip place was under $20 and I'm back in business. Old one is metal, new one is plastic, but at least it functions. Prices on rebuild kits were higher than plastic repl. pump.
And I think I'll change out the trans oil, why not.
Thanks to all.
Jim