3830 won't start after 50 hour service, help!

buckle97 · Mar 28, 2004

3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

I did the 50 hour service on my L3830 yesterday. I changed the hydraulic fluid and filter, engine oil and filter, and fuel filter. When I finally finished cleaning up my materials, I decided to start the tractor and let it warm up to check the fluid levels. I started the tractor and it stayed running about 5 seconds and died. I started it again, it stayed running about 3 seconds and died. I checked to make sure the fuel was turned on and the fuel filter bowl was full of fuel. Everything checked out so I started it again. This time is barely stayed running 1 second. Now it just tries to start but won't ever catch.
I would appreciate any tips on what I should look for as a solution to this problem. I know I must have just done something crazy during my service, because the tractor was running fine before I did the service.

Thanks in advance,
Lawrence

B2400 · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

I'm not familiar with your specific model, but on the B7100 and the B2400 you must bleed the air from the fuel filter housing after you change the fuel filter. It sounds like you have air in the fuel injector pump and may need to bleed the injectors.

_RaT_ · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

"This time is barely stayed running 1 second. Now it just tries to start but won't ever catch"

Do you mean the starter won't engage to the flywheel (turn the engine over) or do you mean it just won't start? Did you change the fuel filter? If you did (which you did not need too), or even if you did not, turn the air bleed valve right with the fuel filter. You need to remove the right hand side grille which has two 1/4 turn thumb latches. Open the valve and crank the engine and see if you can get it started. The engine will run with it open. Close it after a few seconds should it start.

If your starter is not engaging, it's a starter issue. If it's not turning over at all, it would probably be a switch like the clutch, hydrostatic pedal or PTO switch all of which either need to be out of "gear" in order for the engine to start.

Rat...

JimR · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

If your fuel filter is of the upright type, you should have filled it up before putting it on. It sound like the fuel line needs to be bled. Yours sounds like it is fuel starved. Crack the lines on the top of the injectors and try starting it until fuel comes out of each of them.

JacknCoke · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

You have got some air in the fuel system. First thing to do is to open the bleeder vavle. Follow the fuel line from the filter to the lift pump. Then from the lift pump, the line should go in to the bleeder vavle which is conected to the injection pump. Open this vavle and try starting it again.

If this does not work then you will have to crack open the line at each injector and turn the engine over to purge the line of air.

J.D.

Jibber · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

It's gotta be fuel. I know this is a stupid question.. but you did open the fuel cock again after replacing the filter? You also have to bleed the system. The procedure for this is in your manual.. but basically you just open the air vent cock on the fuel injection pump and run the engine for about 30 seconds. I know you say it won't start.. so..

Basically you want to retrace your steps.. make sure that fuel cock is open.. it's an easy one to forget.

It's probably something easy. Definitely nothing fatal!

buckle97 · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

Thanks for the quick replies.
Everything seems to be operating fine except the engine just won't start. Starter is good.
I did fill up the fuel filter before I put it back on. I am going to try Rat's suggestion on bleeding the feul line.

Thanks,
Lawrence

_RaT_ · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

One quick note. CNoel mentioned this once before. Unless you are dumping dirty fuel in your tractor, it is NOT good practice to change or clean the fuel filter more frequently then indicated by the manual. More often then not, unless a considerable amount of attention and a very clean work area are establish, the best way to clog a injector is changing the fuel filter. A slightly dirty fuel filter does nothing to hinder the fuel flow as the engine demands are extremely small. The fuel filter is designed well oversize to go for very long periods. I have yet to touch my filter with about 200 hours on my tractor. I use clean fuel and on occasion check the fuel filter for debris and water. It still looks good. The worst case scenario with a completely clogged fuel filter is no fuel or fuel starvation which won't destroy the engine, the same is not true of the oil filter. I follow everything the manual calls for except the fuel filter schedule. Many diesel mechanics make sure the entire work area around the fuel filter is very clean prior to changing the filter. Rat...

kubmech · Mar 28, 2004

Re: 3830 won\'t start after 50 hour service, help!

Just filling the filter bowl after filter replacement is'nt always enough. The best method I know is: Close fuel cock, r+r filter, leave filter bowl ring loose, place drain pan under filter assy. Turn fuel cock back on and let filter bowl fill and wait for steady stream of fuel with no air and tighten. If you do this now you will have to crank the engine a few times to get it to run being that you most likely emptied the system. Start at half throttle, it should catch and run rough then self bleed as long as the fuel filter is full.