Update,
I really appreciate all the expert advice.
Today I checked for blockages at both the air filter pre-filter and the cone filter in the air box and all was well. No nests or blockages.
The exhaust pipe was dry (no obvious wet oil) and no debris for a far as I could see into the pipe without pulling the exhaust off.
The engine oil level was right at the top of the range line and it was still clear. It only has about 25 hours on the oil. The 5W30 I use is a heavy duty synthetic diesel oil that I've been using for some time.
No water came out of the filter drain, and the fuel looked clear and good.
The filter had just a small amount of light brown biomaterial on the metal end cap of of the filter. Not bad. Looked inside using a very bright flash light and didn't see anything worrisome.
I thought this was interesting....opening the vent valve and pumping the heck out of the primer bulb resulted in plenty of "sounds" like air bubbles in the fuel line but absolutely no fuel coming out of the vent valve. The bulb would get hard after a while and then ease up with additional pumping, after more pumps it would eventually get hard again, then ease up again with further pumping. The reason I kept pumping is because nothing was coming out of the vent valve, neither air nor fuel. After about 50 pumps, I gave up, closed the vent valve and started the engine. The engine did however start right up without a single hickup and ran fine.
I ran it for ½ hour getting everything good and hot. Drove it up and down the steep driveway several times at full power, first with the blower off, then with the blower on to increase the load on the engine and I could not duplicate the power loss and blue smoke.
I ran the engine stationary at full power for a while and the rpm didn't drop off and the engine ran smooth at almost 3,000 rpm. I was outside the machine with the exhaust between me and the sun and there was no blue smoke at all. I tried everything I could think of to duplicate it and couldn't.
The only differences between today and a couple of days ago was 1.) a new fuel filter, and 2.) today was about 25-30 degrees warmer.
I use a fuel additive and don't believe that the fuel could have gelled.
I was originally wondering if I had 2 problems. A restricted fuel filter and a turbo oil seal going on me.
I am guardedly optimistic with todays results, but am also apprehensive about the turbo. I can't figure out why there was no blue smoke at all today when it was easily repeatable on Monday.
I've pulled the passenger's seat/engine cover to gain access to the turbo inlet and outlet pipes. I'll check for play on the turbo shaft both radially and axially. And I'll also check the manual tonight to figure out where the crankcase vent is so I can check that as well.
Thanks again for all the help, It's truly appreciated.
DEWFPO
