71 Ford 4500 Backhoe won't keep running

[pope]

My 4500 diesel backhoe died yesterday. It was low on fuel but I just had a small hole I needed to dig. I was working on a hill went it just quit running. I immediately suspected the angle I was working on made it run out of fuel before it was really empty. I added more fuel but it will not keep running now. When starting, it will run for a few seconds and then quit. I tried bleeding the fuel filter & pump to ensure no air but it still will fire for a couple of seconds and then quit. I have also tried either to help it get going but with the same results.

Any ideas what's going on?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Jerry/MT]

My 4500 diesel backhoe died yesterday. It was low on fuel but I just had a small hole I needed to dig. I was working on a hill went it just quit running. I immediately suspected the angle I was working on made it run out of fuel before it was really empty. I added more fuel but it will not keep running now. When starting, it will run for a few seconds and then quit. I tried bleeding the fuel filter & pump to ensure no air but it still will fire for a couple of seconds and then quit. I have also tried either to help it get going but with the same results.

Any ideas what's going on?


Thanks,
Mike

usual problem is a lack of fuel. Drain the filter bottom and look for water in what drains out. Then bleed the fuel system to the injector connection and than see if that helps. Try and keep the fuel tank as full as possible to reduce water condensation in the tank..Don't use starting fluid to try to start it. It's easy to break rings doing that.