4120 engine surging and then stalling

[dusty3030]

Glad it worked out!
I love my 4120.

 

[Gator6x4]

I take from your experience that I will stay away from off-road and continue to buy diesel from the pump that the truckers use. The few penny's saved with the off-road coming from a seldom-used pump/tank can end up being costly. Thanks for the "lesson learned".

Years ago when I purchased my first small tractor with a diesel engine the old service manager was talking to me. He advised this tractor is not like the big tractors it has small injectors. He advised to use "Road Diesel" with four ounces of Marvel Mystery and two ounces of the white bottle "power Service" diesel fuel treatment per five gallon container and I never would see his scowling face. He must have been right I have not had one to miss a beat or a fuel filter to clog in the many years and trades since.

Now as age keeps creeping up the five gallon can does seem to get heavier each month, or as needed. :laughing:

 

[beenthere]

I just don't see a good reason for doctoring up road diesel but if one feels better doing it, then go for it. Then I've only had 17 years experience running diesel from the truck pumps in my 4300.

 

[Richard Rogers]

I'm re-awakening this thread since the problem persists. I thought I had it licked after replacing the fuel filter (twice!). I've had it running straight for over 2 hours at a time but just today, it started all over again.

The consensus from the guys hanging around the Dealer's counter is that there's some dirt in the fuel tank that needs to be cleaned out. Does anyone know where I can find an exploded view diagram of the fuel tank and/or directions on how to best drain and clean the fuel tank?

Also, what, if anything, exists in the fuel line between the tank and the filter? Is there another mechanism I might be overlooking?

Just to be clear, the fuel is fresh and the filter is brand new as of 1 hour ago. I'm not seeing any kind of message on the readout except "default" and when it runs, it purrs. And then suddenly it will change tone, blow black smoke and the engine pulses. Throttling down all the way uses causes it to stall. If it sits for 30 minutes or so, it will restart and run for a completely unpredictable amount of time.

Thanks for your help.

Tim

Hello Tim, My name is Richard and I have a 4120. I'm having the exact same problem that you had. It has all of the same symptoms. I want to try to drain the tank myself. I downloaded the diagram of the tank from the JD website. I'm just not sure how to drain it. Do I need to drain the fuel filter? Do I need to undo all of the lines at the bottom of the tank? Do I need to undo the lines going into the pump and the filter. Mine may have algae in the tank too. What do you recommend. Thanks Richard