Tractor Died While Blowing Snow!

Avenger · Dec 21, 2022

I let the tractor warm up for almost an hour, after all, its -2F outside. I let it idle for about 20 minutes with the block heater plugged in, then revved it up to 15K for the 40 or so more minutes. Everything was functioning fine, while I started work. About 20 minutes into clearing the snow off the road, the tractor started flashing S94 F11 (Fuel Rail Pressure Control Fault), went into limp just before shutting down!

I let the tractor sit there for about 10 minutes or so while I walked to the house to look up the code in the good book.

Frustrated and ticked off, I went back out to start working on it under the glow of my headlamp. I gotta get it running, its blocking the road.

I attempted to start it, and it fired right up! No codes, no issues, full range of RPM. Well, ok! Lets get back to work then!...

Down by the county road, it died again. I tried to start it up again, but it wouldn't stay running. I let it sit for maybe 5 minutes. It fired up and I started up to the house. I gotta park it and figure it out. About 10 seconds later, it died. I let it sit, started it, and drove it another 20 feet. Did this all the way up to the house. All the while thinking about what it could be.

The book says its a fuel rail pressure control fault. The fixes in the book do not make sense for the symptoms of the tractor. I'm leaning towards gelled fuel? Maybe its so cold the treated fuel is gelling, but getting warmed by the engine as it sits, just before sucking up more gel? I havent pulled the fuel filter (its negative 2 and dark right now).

What are your thoughts?

sd455dan · Dec 21, 2022

It could be , but I just finished blowing as well and the temp was similar. My tractor lives outside (always) so it was at ambient. Hope you get it figured out quick.

IT is Darn Cold. Thought I froze my fingers...

Can you see the diesel in your tank through the tank filler?
If clear there, and not gelled , most likely fine in the filter as well.

Cycledude · Dec 21, 2022

probably nothing to do with the issues your experiencing but I’ve been told your supposed to unplug block heater before starting the engine.

Have you been using winter blend fuel ? I would probably try changing the fuel filter and see if that helps.

Yander · Dec 21, 2022

Get some of this in your tank if you haven't already

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB1025?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google_monthly-special_202212&store=23958&campaign=GSC-Promos&campaign_id=6478906937&adgroup_id=78844950918&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-oqdBhDfARIsAO0TrGH-YJyfFMKoXDq1wjL3FOTpbdin0lPnmdR3MVFd-8tRxScdfz1ffIQaAuB1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&

When is the last time you changed the fuel filter?

ruffdog · Dec 21, 2022

Sounds like gelling.

Avenger · Dec 21, 2022

sd455dan said:
It could be , but I just finished blowing as well and the temp was similar. My tractor lives outside (always) so it was at ambient. Hope you get it figured out quick.

IT is Darn Cold. Thought I froze my fingers...

Yeah, same here. Its nasty cold out!

Cycledude said:
probably nothing to do with the issues your experiencing but I’ve been told your supposed to unplug block heater before starting the engine.

Have you been using winter blend fuel ? I would probably try changing the fuel filter and see if that helps.

Typically I would, but the block heater I use the most is the magnetic oil tank heater. I figured it wouldnt hurt anything to keep it plugged in and on the engine pan for a few minutes. I ran out there barefoot (too lazy to put boots on) to start the tractor. Didn't feel like unplugging it and rolling up the cord!
The fuel is off-road dyed diesel. Probably not the good winter blended stuff. But I use Power Service white bottle, 1/4c per 5gal, which isn't quite what they recommend for temps under 0.

They recommend using the entire bottle (64oz) for 250gal for temps above 0F and twice that amount for under 0. I have cheap plastic measuring cups in the shop that I use for such things, so I convert oz to cups. 64oz=8 cups. 1oz should be enough for 5 gallons above 0. 3oz for temps below 0. Well, my 1/4c might not be enough. 1/4c = 2oz

Honestly, I really hope its gelling. Because the alternatives right now, really really suck! Its definitely a wakeup call!

Avenger · Dec 21, 2022

ruffdog said:
Sounds like gelling.

hope your right!

Avenger · Dec 21, 2022

Yander said:
Get some of this in your tank if you haven't already

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB1025?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google_monthly-special_202212&store=23958&campaign=GSC-Promos&campaign_id=6478906937&adgroup_id=78844950918&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-oqdBhDfARIsAO0TrGH-YJyfFMKoXDq1wjL3FOTpbdin0lPnmdR3MVFd-8tRxScdfz1ffIQaAuB1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&

When is the last time you changed the fuel filter?

Yeah, I use that. I have my fuel treated, but I don't think I treated it enough for temps below 0. Probably need the red bottle now.

ruffdog · Dec 21, 2022

Treated fuel is not the same as blended fuel. At those temps, the neighbor would have his fuel at a 60/40 or 50/50 blend between #2 diesel to #1 diesel. After I had a gelling issue, I keep a jug of #1 ready if I start gelling. The dyed fuel is no different that road fuel. The problem is the supplier may not have treated the fuel for this cold snap. I double treated my fuel and will see if I have a problem. If I do, the #1 gets thrown in.

oldnslo · Dec 21, 2022

Avenger
Do you if you have pure diesel or bio-diesel? My experience bio will gell much sooner than pure diesel.

filters are frequently point of gelling so I have wrapped filters in a manner that protected them from fan blast and kept engine heat around them

RustyA · Dec 21, 2022

Add some 911 to tank and top off fuel with straight #1 fuel or kerosene. Warm fuel filter with your magnetic heater or heat gun long enough to get blended/treated fuel to injector rail.

Cycledude · Dec 21, 2022

RustyA said:
Add some 911 to tank and top off fuel with straight #1 fuel or kerosene. Warm fuel filter with your magnetic heater or heat gun long enough to get blended/treated fuel to injector rail.

Heating the filter sounds like a good idea but pretty unlikely it would actually help, once the filter gets plugged from water or waxing the only reliable way to fix it is install a new filter, at least that’s been my experience in a couple million miles of truck driving.
After reading this thread I’m planning to stop at NAPA tomorrow and buy a bottle of the Power Service fuel treatment they have on sale for $8.99

Avenger · Dec 21, 2022

Fortunately, I have two of every filter for every vehicle I own. I have an extra fuel filter. I'll change it out tomorrow and do the 50% diesel 50% 911 in it. I'll also add the 911 to the tank (its mostly full) as soon as I can get to the store to buy some. I'll then top it up with #1. Hopefully that will get me back up and running. If not, then more troubleshooting. Thankfully I have the rest of the week off work!

ruffdog · Dec 21, 2022

Fuel treatment should be added and mixed above 32deg so it will help when it gets colder.

sd455dan · Dec 22, 2022

Avenger have you seen this LS owner video?

Sounds like any water , even a little bit of tank condensation that freezes can possibly cut off the fuel supply. One of the signs for this owner was the hand pump stuck in a certain position, had to be just a little ice.

From what he said no fuel gelling
The red bottle of 911 took care of it.

When it first died no codes then he had a 157 code Which does appear to be different than the code you referenced.

Cycledude · Dec 22, 2022

Hoping to hear Avengers tractor is back to running normally today !

crashz · Dec 22, 2022

Yep - moisture from condensation will make the gelling worse. If you have a clear filter bowl and it looks cloudy, its gelling.

Since I usually have summer blended fuel left over I usually cut it a little with kerosene. No more than 20%, as kerosene has even less lubricity than Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel.

I use Power Service, Howes and Amsoil All-in1 (depending on price and availability). Don't be stingy, use plenty. More is usually better because it also helps with lubricity (within reason, a diesel engine won't run on only Power Service very well).

I also try to avoid the 911 and other emergency bottles. They have a significant amount of alcohol in them and have been known to damage pumps and injectors if overused (according to my diesel shop guys).

CobyRupert · Dec 22, 2022

Sounds like filter.
I have used a blow dryer on a filter to warm it up to get me back to the shed. Maybe I was lucky.
I think diesel fuel can start to get cloudy around 40°F as the wax (not the technical name) begins to separate.
I would never trust my retailer to have the correct winter mix for the temperatures a week from now.

LouNY · Dec 22, 2022

My guess would be fuel gelling also.
With a common rail system I would not use 911.
My inclination would be to pull the filter, maybe even blow back to the fuel tank with some air if possible.
Add kerosene to the fuel tank along with an additive for gelling.
If you can get any heat to it will help, I've used propane torches before on fuel lines and pumps, carefully.
You can also heat your intake manifold when trying to start it after getting the fuel filter changed and primed.
I have a cordless heat gun that sits at the ready in the winter to unfreeze my door lock/latch something like it would
be good for warming things up.
Fixing fuel issues in the cold is never fun.
If possible getting someone to tow it to a warm heated garage would be the easiest way to go.