ASV RC-100 Rough Idle and Smoking

Southern Forestry · Mar 3, 2015

Ok guys, I got some good advice from you fellows last problem I had, so maybe someone can point me in the right direction here.
2005 ASV-RC-100 all the sudden started running rough idling and running. It'll only run for a little while (5 minutes-10 minutes) before it dies. It white smokes LIkE CRAZY, you can smell the nuburnt fuel, and it is building pressure in the fuel tank, when you take the cap off it is pressurized. I have taken the injectors off and had them checked, and they are not the problem. I am leaning towards the pump and it maybe messing with the timing?? When you first crank it up it smokes BAD, after it runs a littel bit the smoke calms down, but you can still smell it, and if you rev the throttle, it puffs smoke again and when you throttle it back down it smokes again.

Any ideas???

tonyoz · Mar 3, 2015

Mate, have you checked the turbo?:2cents:

groundcover · Mar 3, 2015

Did you guys just get some cold temps? Sounds like your fuel filter is jelled up. Doubt they thin/ treat your diesel down there.

Rustyiron · Mar 3, 2015

tonyoz said:
Mate, have you checked the turbo?:2cents:

That's where I was going. A bud had similar issues on his low hour (same machine). It needed a new turbo. I also read somewhere, maybe Heavy Eqipment forum Skid Steers that there is a bolt, I think on an engine mount that go's into the engine block that can work loose and dump all your engine oil. You're motor is toast before you notice it! I wish that I remembered the details for you, but that would keep me up at night. You might do a little "googleing" on that topic.

tonyoz · Mar 3, 2015

Yep, read that here on I think on the Construction Equipment forum. From memory it is on the front of the engine at the rear of the machine, don't remember which side.

yellowdogsvc · Mar 3, 2015

My chipper's cummins smoked like that on cold days but it didn't die. Poor fuel in my Bobcat caused similar issues. Can you smell fuel in the engine compartment?

I would be checking my fuel filter for ice if you had a really cold morning. doesn't sound like injectors. Sounds like the fuel isn't making it all the way out of the filter. No chance you have gasoline mixed in with the diesel or water? Change the fuel filter but before you do that, drain it and see what's in it. Look for dirt, rust and especially water. If it won't drain, that filter is clogged. I had a lot of fuel issues and it is generally from poor quality fuel or gasoline.

Also try opening the fuel drain petcock or air release screw and squeeze the primer bulb. You should have fuel pump out with each squeeze.

Hope it's just a fuel issue.

Southern Forestry · Mar 4, 2015

Thanks guys, I just replaced the fuel filters, they have about 5 hours on them, but I am going to do it again. Yeah we had some cold temps down here a few weeks ago, ice storms and stuff, we typically dont get snow or ice, but we have this year. I sure hope it isn't the turbo, but I will look at that.

Thanks guys

walter boatwright · Mar 4, 2015

Have you check the fuel tank for trash? Does the fuel run out steady? Also check your air filter for moister . And check the fuel filters . And least check and clean your fuel cap. On the small diesel engines the turbo can fail , but it will suck out the oil in a matter of hours.

Southern Forestry · Mar 9, 2015

How do you go about checking the turbo?? All the filters are new. It may be trach in the tank, but I don't think so. Why would it build pressure in the fuel tank?

Rustyiron · Mar 9, 2015

My buddies was siezed up. Get acess on the intake side and see if you can spin it by hand. Visually inspect what you can see for anything obvious.

Beaudeane · Mar 14, 2015

If it's like a big truck motor it will have a return line to the tank from the fuel pump. My truck fuel tanks are vented. Your fuel tank cap may be vented but stopped up with grime. Take the cap off so it will be vented & see if u have the same problem. The fuel getting warm going thru the fuel pump then part of it returning to the fuel tank & fuel tank not vented may be why it is building pressure & possible cause of the other problems u are having

Southern Forestry · Mar 18, 2015

Ok guys it was about what Beaudeane said above. This machine has a saddle tank design with a large line running across the bottom under the motor connecting the two sides. In the middle of that large line is a rubber line that runs to my fuel water seperator/filter. That line was all but completely stopped up, I got it cleaned out real good and it is running like it is supposed to. I am glad it wasn't anythign major. All i got in it now is new filters and some time chasing it down.

Thanks again guys

Beaudeane · Mar 19, 2015

Syphon a little fuel outta your tank now & see if it is regular color or real dark. If it's dark, u have algae growing in your tank. If so, go get some algae killer & extra fuel filters. May take a few treatments & several fuel filter changes (cause the dead algae will stop up filters) to stop it from growing in tank. Sounded goofy to me when I heard algae can grow in fuel & cause problems but after experiencing it myself I know it can cause problems also. This may or may not be what caused your issues but won't hurt to check it just in case.

McCaskey · Apr 23, 2015

Had the exact same problem with my RC100. There's a pipe that joins both fuel tanks together with a Tee in the middle for engine supply. Over the years, debris collects in the tank and built up in the tee. Fuel gets cut off and engine dies with white smoke. Blowing it out with air in reverse direction fixed the problem. Take cap off tank before blowing out, otherwise you'll pressurize the tank and get a face full of fuel

Check those engine mounting bolts!! They are drilled into the crankcase. if one falls out, you'll lose your oil fast. Quick tighten with a 14mm socket. Picture below shows dirt built up from leaking oil when a bolt was loose.

jayburmister · Dec 30, 2017

i just started having the same issue with a an ASV SR-80. It had been running fine when the temperatures were warmer. Now that we are seeing -10 at night i can barely get it started. Even with a good thaw from the block heater. Today i checked my vent and supply lines to the lift pump, they are clear. I repacled the fuel filter. I ran a line from a 5 gallon diesel tank to the lift pump. Still have the same issue...... i dissembled the lift pump to see if it was gummed up, it was clear. i ran it disassembled with my hand of the suction screen, seemed to be working fine. The discharge should be about 7 pounds. I still don't understand how the fuel tank becomes pressurized. When i do get it running, if i keep the the throttle at a steady 50 % i can use the machine. As soon as i start walking the throttle back and forth it will smoke white and eventually kill the engine. i hope someone in cyber space may have an answer for me. i am pulling my hair out. On a good note its to to cold to snow, so my driveway stays clear.

thepumpguysc · Dec 31, 2017

Loosen or remove your fuel cap & run it.. as stated before, the cap is supposed to be vented.. it allows the tank to breathe.
Let us know how THAT works for ya.

McCaskey · Dec 31, 2017

On my RC100,
White smoke is usually indication of water in the fuel-water separation bowl.
Black smoke is a plugged injector.
Blue smoke is a bad day.

jayburmister · Jan 1, 2018

Wow, thanks for the quick responses! I have ran it with the fuel cap off. I have drained the water collection numerous times. No change. I put diesel 911 which is suppose to combine with water to make methanol. I noticed the perkins fuel filter has a collection bowl attached to the bottom of the filter. My machine has a jacobson replacement filter with a twist water drain at the bottom. A little bit different than Perkins oem. (I bought it used). I wonder if this could have anything to do with it. I bought a set of gauges so I can test pressure between the lift pump and injection pump. I'm almost leaning towards a bad lift pump because the pump changed it's tune a lot when I tested it again. Anybody know what type of injection pump is on the sr-80? Any other input would be greatly appreciated!

thepumpguysc · Jan 2, 2018

IF you haven't CHANGED the filter, do so.. DONT just keep draining it.
THEN check your pressure.
You might be skipping over the easiest & least expensive cure.

jayburmister · Jan 18, 2018

After all the troubleshooting and lift pump replacement I found out I had water in my fuel. When the fuel/water got to the fuel filter/water separator the water froze and clogged my filter. I now run a water and slime eliminator at all times. I also hit the fuel filter after every run with a heat gun to melt the ice and drain it. I've learned that if you use a can to fill up your fuel tank you will get a lot of condensation within during the consant freezing and thawing. Another problem I have just encountered is my bucket loader arm stuck in the mid position after a couple of -10 degree day. I took a heat gun to the underside of the joystick and thawed the pilot valve within the joystick. I had just replaced all of the oil prior to the season so I was really confused. After talking with ASV I learned that the fluid on the Cntrl side stays stagnant. During a fluid change you have to drop the Cntrl pilot lines into a bucket and cap the other side on the valve manifold. You should work a gallon of oil through the joystick to be sure it is filled with clean fresh oil. This machine has a lot of niches that are not described in the service and maintenance manual. If anybody has any questions or similar problems message me. I may be able to help.