Another Kubota that won't start. Fuel filter?

[284 International]

Looking at the diagrams, it appears the fuel line comes out the bottom of the tank to the fuel filter and bowl, then to a lift pump that feeds the injection pump. I think there is a vent tube that vents the fuel bowl going to the top of the fuel tank, and then a return line beside it from the injectors.

Were it mine, I would get a fuel jug or container equal to the capacity of the fuel in the tank that I could then fill with the fuel line (so maybe having a funnel or some extra fuel line or whatever was required). Pull the fuel line off the filter bowl. If it doesn't drain, stick a wire up in there and root around until it will flow. It will likely plug again, just repeat the process until the tank is empty.

Then remove and clean the tank thoroughly, probably with a spray carburetor cleaner or something, and flush the tank until all traces of the gunk plugging it up are gone. Reattach the tank and lines, put in a new filter, fill with fresh, clean fuel, and go to work. I'd look into a filter funnel or strainer of some sort if the neck of the fuel tank doesn't have one already.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If your L3130 has the metal filter housing like mine, it will have three hoses coming out of it. One goes to the tank other goes to pump, third one is vent and goes to top of tank. The line going to pump has a valve to open for bleading, start engine with bleeder valve open and run for a bit and then close. Make sure to turn on valve on filter housing also.

If you have a B series or other engines with the black plastic housing with white/clear plastic bowl, as you unscrew the bowl there is a plunger that closes the fuel feed automaticly as the bowl is removed. Screwing the bowl back on starts fuel flow and air is vented back to tank. Sometimes the bleeder valve on the injection pump needs to be opened to complete bleeding.

David Kb7uns

 

[MarkV]

I'll bet money you have some sort of junk in the fuel tank that is obstructing the pick-up. Try getting something in there to stir up the sediment near the bottom. At least you might get enough flow to get the tractor back home and then you can drain the tank.

You might also want to do a search on the forum about starting a tractor that has run out of fuel. Sometimes it will start right up but other times you need to bleed the lines to get air out of them.

MarkV

 

[cs6000]

OK. I finally noticed the fuel line coming from the bottom of the tank. Took it off at the fuel filter, and blew air up it with a bike pump.
The diesel started to run freely, so I stuck it back onto the filter, and shut it off. I then put the sediment bowl on loosely, turned on fuel until sediment bowl ran over. Then tightened.

Tried to start, but it won't. So I guess I have to bleed the thing. My manual says to shut off fuel, then remove the air vent cock on the the fuel injection pump. It says to start the engine, run 30 seconds, then close the air vent cock.

Since mine won't start anyway, do I need to open the injectors and all that, or try the above?

I'm trying to get it started, get it to the barn, then remove drain and clean the gas tank.

 

[Chilly807]

Generally speaking, you open the vent cock, then crank the engine with the fuel supply valve open, this allows any fuel trapped in the pump to get out and be replaced with solid fuel. It may take a bit of cranking to get the air out of the pump. No more than 20 seconds at a time to avoid overheating the starter. Let it "rest" about 10 minutes between cranking sessions if it takes more than a couple.

Your procedure may be different than mine, it's a different tractor.

Sean

 

[cs6000]

I had that backwards on the fuel shutoff. I broke down and recruited a neighbor that is very talented. I cranked while he loosened and tightened the injectors.

Got it started and everything OK for now. Now I have to get the tank business cleaned out, hopefully without having to do another bleed session.

Many thanks to all the posters. You all knew what you were talking about, and helped me understand.

 

[crazyal]

let us know what you find in your tank. Had a co-worker who got hay in his tank somehow and sucked it into the fuel line. I would allow enough fuel to flow for low to mid RPM but if running high it would suck the fuel bowl dry and cut out intermittently. I think the dealer just replaced the supply hose.

 

[cs6000]

I don't know if I'm going to be able to get the tank off or not. Between the heat shield, the frame around it, and the exhaust in front of it, I haven't been able to get it off. I've taken every screw and bolt out that I can reach, removed the radiator overflow tank, etc.

Just can't figure it out. Very frustrating.

I might have to settle for draining it, then plug it some way and add some clean diesel. Maybe then try to blow in some air to stir things up, and drain again.

 

[gengine]

I work at a mine where we have an issue with guys adding the additives. Somehow they peel off the seal on a new bottle and it ends up in the tank, plugging the line inside the tank. I don't think your problem is sediment, but rather something more solid like what I described. Maybe the guy working on the pump and nozzle left some Teflon tape where it shouldn't have been and your the unlucky one to get it in your tank. You may want to drain your tank into clean containers trying to get every drop out that you can, try to find a way to pull anything out the tank that you can. Such as pulling off the sender and putting your hand in there if the opening is large enough. Maybe a little dentist type mirror and a flashlight to look first to try to see anything in there. It sounds like a pain to remove the tank and flush it in your circumstance, but that may be what it comes to. When you get things solved, you can put the fuel back in using a funnel with a strainer. My local Ace hardware sells them for $5.99. Good luck!

 

[Herkypilot]

Once you drain the tank you can use one of those flexible wand lights that you can put down the filler neck to take a look.

HP