Oil & Fuel Filters

[moodyj]

I am having to change fuel filter about every 6-8 weeks on my 1816. I changed where I purchase my diesel. No change. I treat the fuel with an conditioner every time I get fuel. Just a thought, is it best to keep the tank full at all times? Maybe some condensate gets in there. Tractor is not used daily. Just used to mow around 4 acres. In the summer it might set for a week or so. Any suggestions?

 

[mrmikey]

I am having to change fuel filter about every 6-8 weeks on my 1816. I changed where I purchase my diesel. No change.

If you have to change it that often, you'veprobably got a bacteria problem, do a search for diesel bugs

I treat the fuel with an conditioner every time I get fuel.

Nothing wrong with a conditioner except it won't cure the problem. You'll have to flush and clean the entire system to get rid of it.

Just a thought, is it best to keep the tank full at all times?

Yes, cuts down on condensation

Maybe some condensate gets in there.

That'll do it.

Tractor is not used daily. Just used to mow around 4 acres. In the summer it might set for a week or so

Worst case scenario to start bugs................Mike

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Why, specifically, are you having to change your fuel filter? What are the symptom(s)/problem(s) that are occurring?

Give us your observations so that we can assist you.

 

[moodyj]

I will be mowing and all of a sudden power will cut down and struggle to even idle. Wait a bit and it will pick up enough rpm's to make it to the shed. I use a standyne additive.

 

[LouNY]

If you are getting a black slime in your filter, it's biologics.
Get a good biocide, dose the fuel, run it till its close to empty, keep changing filters as needed.
Or, treat the fuel with biocide, agitate it, drain it, repeat once and then go.

 

[Wagtail]

Right -o. Just a few more questions... how long have you owned your 1816? After starting your tractor and beginning to mow, how long does it take (time wise) until the sudden power loss? (on average)

Do you have (or can get) an 'inspection camera'? You'll need this to look down into the bottom of your tractor's fuel tank. (If you've got a biological growth in your tank, it'll look like cotton-candy mixed with phlegm :ill = you'll need a few doses/treatment of diesel biocide and a tank cleaning if that's the case.

Does your 1816 have a fuel bowl? Is there water present in that bowl = red ring floating? Is the bowl a bit green discoloured?

Can you pinch & remove the fuel line from the tank to where it attaches to the fuel bowl, then let it drain into a small container. If it pours, your tank may not be the problem... if it dribbles, you've got a blockage.

Report back please. :thumbsup:

 

[M5farms]

sounds like algae to me , FWIW put an inline filter before the can filter after you treat the tanks for algae you can see the particulates and if you change those filters soon enough you will eventually get it clean.

 

[Brotherdan]

Where is your fuel stored? If you have a large tank you draw off of, it may be a source of your problem?

 

[moodyj]

Wagtail,

It is a 2012 model with just a hair over 100 hours on it. Not used much. My wife will start mowing the 4 acres and almost get done and it starts messing up. I took it to a dealer and had my 100 hour service done on it at the end of May. They changed engine oil, fuel filter, air filter, checked all other fluid levels. Since then we had mowed twice. I have used different brands of filters, NAPA, OEM, now I am trying Baldwin. No, I don't have any way to to look in the tank. I will change it this weekend and send some pictures of the bowl and fuel.

 

[M5farms]

put an inline filter on it , they are cheap and will keep main filter cleaner

 

[Wagtail]

Wagtail,

It is a 2012 model with just a hair over 100 hours on it. Not used much. My wife will start mowing the 4 acres and almost get done and it starts messing up. I took it to a dealer and had my 100 hour service done on it at the end of May. They changed engine oil, fuel filter, air filter, checked all other fluid levels. Since then we had mowed twice. I have used different brands of filters, NAPA, OEM, now I am trying Baldwin. No, I don't have any way to to look in the tank. I will change it this weekend and send some pictures of the bowl and fuel.

If you're going to once again change the fuel filter, you're just extending the problem until the next occurrence. Around here, the local auto-parts store carries tractor fuel & oil filters... and inspection cameras. Inspection cameras have multiple uses so it's not just a 'one off' purchase.

They'll also have "biocide" diesel additive. This will kill the biological growth in the tank... but won't remove the dead debris (unless you can access a product called "Fuel Doctors" which will break-down the residue & suspend it in the fuel).

Have you tried the fuel line 'dribble/flow' check? It's especially handy to do it when the fault occurs... if you carry a multitool (Leatherman, Gerber, etc...) you'll have all the tools you need to take the fuel line off at the fuel bowl and see if you've got decent flow out of your tank.

 

[bhstovall]

You can get a endoscope on Amazon for less than $10 and it will plug into most cell phones so you can see down into the tank. They are extremely handy to have around, I don't know how I ever got along without one!

 

[Spanner]

4 days of posting and not once has the OP understood or accepted the existence of the fungal algae in his fuel - which is why multiple people have referenced the need for a "Biocide" additive.

Insecticide.
Pesticide.
Herbicide.
Fungicide.
B i o c i d e ...

See the pattern moodyj? Bio-cide. (Killer of biological organisms) - as distinct from Insects, Pests, Weeds, Mould. etc.

Have you purchased any 'Biocide' additive for your fuel yet?

Also worth commenting that many of these 'endoscope' devices don't like having their lens end immersed in any fluids, oil, fuel etc. Great for looking into cavities but not usually submersible. Check your manual if you buy one.

 

[screamin400]

What if it is not a fuel issue and an ecu issue? It cuts back to an idle? I can see the power getting cut but to idle from a fuel filter? Runs good the rest of the time?

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I can see the power getting cut but to idle from a fuel filter? Runs good the rest of the time?

Yes, that's exactly what a tank full of algae will do.

 

[mrmikey]

For lack of a better more scientific description it looks like someone blew their nose in the tank:

 

[Navasot]

Yes, that's exactly what a tank full of algae will do.

Yup plugged fuel system... you need to get the tank off and have it flushed...

Or the easier way you can take the fuel cap off... then the fuel line on the tank side of the filter.. blow pressured air back into the tank MAKE SURE THE FUEL CAP IS OFF THE TANK... anything that is and it is blocking the outlet... will get pushed back into the tank... then you need to try and let it all drain... hoping the clog was broke up by the air enough to pass...

Also how long has it been since you blew out your radiator

 

[Spanner]

For lack of a better more scientific description it looks like someone blew their nose in the tank:


View attachment 523598

Excellent post for any future reference.

 

[moodyj]

To all on this thread,

Drained tank today, looked in tank, looked good. Changed fuel filter. Bowl had about 1/8" water in it. Has run good for now. I bought the biocide additive. When I refill the 5 gallon can diesel, I will add to it. Problem is there is nothing on the label on the mixture ratio. Anybody know what that would be per 5 gallon fuel can?

Thanks
Moodyj

 

[Wagtail]

I suppose that when you had the tank drained and "looked in tank, looked good", you didn't take a wipe of the bottom of it with a J-cloth? (a CHUX to us down here)

Anyway, how much of the biocide did you purchase?

If it's a small "additive" bottle [like the STP 50ml bottle], put it all into the tractor's tank. The directions will probably say to let it 'sit' for a day or two IOT let it kill the biological growth... but judging from the photo you sent, I'd run the tractor for about 10 minutes to let the biocide also circulate through the whole fuel system. If you bought a litre of the biocide, pour half of it into your tank and the other half into your 5 gallon fuel can.

Is the biocide a 'straight up' product... in other words, is that all that it does? Or does it also dissolve the dead biological crap (and any water, for that matter) and suspend it in the fuel?