Thanks for the follow-up sax. I still haven't figured out what's going on. I ran out on Friday (last) and picked up a quart of anti-gel and a new filter at the local Kubota dealer in PI. After I added the anti-gel I ran the machine and it seemed fine. Late morning Saturday I ran it again for about 1 -1.5 hours and by then I thought everything was jake. I had parked it outside overnight again which was probably a mistake. Sat afternoon I thought I'd go and pick up a few things at the grocery before the storm hit and tried to move the tractor and she wouldn't start at all... not even a cough. The fuel filter bowl looked frosty so I unscrewed it and found a lot of slushy fuel (looked like ice) I cleaned all the shush out and replaced the paper filter cartridge. As I was screwing the bowl and cartridge back on to (the fuel pump???) at a certain point a valve released and fuel filled the bowl. I tried starting it but again wasn't even getting a sputter out of it. Eventually I ran the battery down. My driveway is 1/4 mile long and with the storm coming Sunday, without the tractor to clear my way out I'd be in trouble. I decided to bag it. I'm not sure when I'll be able to get back in now with limited access. I think they got an additional 18" on Sunday/Monday. So right now I'm keeping an eye on the snow depth map.
Need Help! Tractor Won't Stay Running
- Thread starter keegs
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mykleh
Silver Member
if you had that stuff in the bowl I would do the 911 treatment in tank and bowl and crank it over with the lines to the injectors a bit loose until you see flow then torque back down and try to start it.. last time mine gelled up had to push into garage for a couple days and take lines completely off warm up and clean out to get them to flow decent.. never again I don't care if 911 is $100/bottle its priceless compared to the a**ache of dealing with a gelled up fuel system..
saxnbees
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2016
- Messages
- 111
- Location
- Chesterville, Maine
- Tractor
- Kioti/NX4510HST, JD/40, Grillo G110 Walking Tractor
It probably wasn't ice in the bowl but the paraffin in the fuel that apparently separates out when the fuel gets cold. My understanding is that is what actually clogs things up when the fuel gels. Somehow, the anti-gel additives chemically ****** that separation and the 911 reverses it.
I don't think the anti-gel additives reverse the gelling but prevent any further gelling. So, my thought is that you changed the filter and added the anti-gel thinking that would clear up the problem. Then, it took a while for the new filter to clog as well.
I think I would probably check the fuel filter to see if there is fuel in it. When my VW gelled up, if memory serves me correctly, I found that the fuel filter was dry because the paraffin clogged up the filter and very little fuel could get through.
If you find no fuel, I think I would try filling the filter with the 50/50 911/diesel mixture as well as the bowl you mentioned. Then I would add the appropriate amount of 911 to the fuel tank and try to slosh it around if possible to mix things up a bit.
I think the idea is to get the 911 into the fuel filter to clear it up and also into the tank so you don't clog back up again.
I don't know if you would need to loosen the fuel lines a bit as suggested by mykleh. I did not have to do this with my VW.
Then, I would suggest using the PS white bottle or some other anti-gel regardless of where you get your fuel and I would start using it in autumn if you don't put a lot of hours on your tractor. I tend to be a little generous with the treatment. The bottle claims that it won't hurt anything if you overdose a bit. Others on the forum may disagree with that statement. All I do know is that I used PS white and grey treatments for over 10 years and 200,000 miles on my VW and never noticed any problem until I gave my car to my brother at 240,000 miles. He is still driving it, still treating each tank of fuel, and is approaching 300,000 miles.
I don't think the anti-gel additives reverse the gelling but prevent any further gelling. So, my thought is that you changed the filter and added the anti-gel thinking that would clear up the problem. Then, it took a while for the new filter to clog as well.
I think I would probably check the fuel filter to see if there is fuel in it. When my VW gelled up, if memory serves me correctly, I found that the fuel filter was dry because the paraffin clogged up the filter and very little fuel could get through.
If you find no fuel, I think I would try filling the filter with the 50/50 911/diesel mixture as well as the bowl you mentioned. Then I would add the appropriate amount of 911 to the fuel tank and try to slosh it around if possible to mix things up a bit.
I think the idea is to get the 911 into the fuel filter to clear it up and also into the tank so you don't clog back up again.
I don't know if you would need to loosen the fuel lines a bit as suggested by mykleh. I did not have to do this with my VW.
Then, I would suggest using the PS white bottle or some other anti-gel regardless of where you get your fuel and I would start using it in autumn if you don't put a lot of hours on your tractor. I tend to be a little generous with the treatment. The bottle claims that it won't hurt anything if you overdose a bit. Others on the forum may disagree with that statement. All I do know is that I used PS white and grey treatments for over 10 years and 200,000 miles on my VW and never noticed any problem until I gave my car to my brother at 240,000 miles. He is still driving it, still treating each tank of fuel, and is approaching 300,000 miles.
Erik M
Silver Member
The only time I add fuel treatment is in the fall when it gets near freezing, as the retailers all sell treated diesel in the winter months so just need to treat what summer fuel is in the tank. Usually try to run the tank down to a few gallons before treating it as it takes care of any moisture in the filter. I regularly drain the tank sump to check for water and have never had a fuel issue down to -25.
saxnbees
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2016
- Messages
- 111
- Location
- Chesterville, Maine
- Tractor
- Kioti/NX4510HST, JD/40, Grillo G110 Walking Tractor
and maybe 50/50 911/diesel
I've been running the tractor in winter (not a whole lot) since I got it without any problems. I added 5 gallons in December to an almost empty tank and another 4 gallons this last Thursday. This all started immediately after I added that last 4 gallons. Can't say for sure but I think I might have gotten some water with that last 4 gallons. The slush that came out of the filter bowl seemed to me watery.
dodge man
Super Star Member
I say yes, you got some water. When mine gelled up the stuff in the fuel filter and bowl looked like hand lotion almost, maybe just a little thicker and harder when you touched it. If you are seeing slushy looking stuff, I'd say water. I hate to say it but I drain the entire tank and start over. I'd get a couple new filters also.
dodge man, I called the local Kubota dealer for some info on a second filter and you're right; this tractor has a second fuel filter that hasn't been replaced (original to the tractor) thus far. I'll pick up both filter replacements on the next trip. They're not cheap so I'll need to approach this in a particular order.
The tech also suggested, as standard practice, to bleed the fuel line to remove any air introduced into the fuel system when I removed the bowl and cartridge (earlier last week). He identified the location of the bleeder. I think I'll try this first thing and if she doesn't start I'll proceed with draining the tank and then replacing the filters.
Anything beyond oil changes takes me about to the edge of my tractor repair skill set. You guys have been a big help. Much appreciated.
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crashz
Elite Member
I would try to keep your tank full as much as possible. During the year, the condensation from the tank walls can build up moisture that will wick into the fuel. Same thing can happen with infrequently used diesel tanks.
And even though I treat all my fuel with very liberal amounts of Power Service or Howes, use fuel from a highly traveled truck stop, and keep my tank as full as possible, I've had my fuel gel up too. It happened last year in the major cold spell and I think I had summer blend fuel in the machine. 2 gallons of kerosene cured it. Filled the fuel filter bowl and dumped a gallon in the tank, and all was well. Kerosene is very dry though, and has virtually no lubrication properties so it needs to be used sparingly and ideally with a lube additive.
And even though I treat all my fuel with very liberal amounts of Power Service or Howes, use fuel from a highly traveled truck stop, and keep my tank as full as possible, I've had my fuel gel up too. It happened last year in the major cold spell and I think I had summer blend fuel in the machine. 2 gallons of kerosene cured it. Filled the fuel filter bowl and dumped a gallon in the tank, and all was well. Kerosene is very dry though, and has virtually no lubrication properties so it needs to be used sparingly and ideally with a lube additive.
