Diesel bogging and stalling

[davesill]

I've got a New Holland TC30 3-cyl diesel that I bought used a couple years ago. I've never had any problems with it.

I bush hogged 3-4 hours on Saturday without any difficulty. After a couple hours on Sunday it suddenly bogged. I pressed the clutch in and it recovered. A few minutes later it did the same thing. It gradually worsened until it stalled, even with the clutch depressed. It started right up again, though. This continued for while, but it got a little harder to restart every time.

It happened going uphill, downhill, and level.

Any ideas? I'm not a mechanic.

 

[90cummins]

Check & replace the fuel filter.
90cummins

 

[ultrarunner]

Fuel flow/starvation

Filter is the first place I would look...

Some of us have had issues with blockages in the tank due to rust, bad fuel or algae...

Also make sure the fuel cap vent is unobstructed if it is vented...

I've dealt with all of the above at one time or another on various vehicles.

 

[CobyRupert]

Could it also be air (filter)? The screens on my tractor can get clogged within just 15 minutes sometimes when mowing in tall weeds (though have not experienced it bogging motor).

 

[davesill]

Filter was my first suspicion. Googling the symptoms turned up possible MAP sensor failure, but I don't even know if the TC30 has one.

Is the sudden onset and gradual worsening typical of a clogged filter? Should be easy and cheap to try, though.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[davesill]

Could it also be air (filter)? The screens on my tractor can get clogged within just 15 minutes sometimes when mowing in tall weeds (though have not experienced it bogging motor).

I have to keep an eye on the temp and periodically stop and shake the seeds off the screen. It definitely wasn't overheating. Haven't looked at the air filter, though. That's a definite possibility. Thanks!

 

[Jerry/MT]

I've got a New Holland TC30 3-cyl diesel that I bought used a couple years ago. I've never had any problems with it.

I bush hogged 3-4 hours on Saturday without any difficulty. After a couple hours on Sunday it suddenly bogged. I pressed the clutch in and it recovered. A few minutes later it did the same thing. It gradually worsened until it stalled, even with the clutch depressed. It started right up again, though. This continued for while, but it got a little harder to restart every time.

It happened going uphill, downhill, and level.

Any ideas? I'm not a mechanic.

Most probable cause is inadequate fuel delivery. Clogged fuel tank strainer, restricted fuel line between tank and fuel filter or fuel filter to injector pump, clogged fuel filter, lose fuel line fitting sucking air, cogged fuel tank vent are among the usual culprits for this kind of problem. A clogged air filter can certainly cause a problem and is easy to check. If you have a MAP sensor it should cause a dash light to go on. However, restricted fuel delivery is the most likely cause.

You live in the SE part of the country where high humidity can be a problem causing water condensation and bacterial sludge contamination of the fuel. In the future keep the tank as full as possible to minimize condensation

 

[DLTTrekkers]

Check te strainer inside your fuelliftpump !

 

[Raspy]

The above threads about the fuel filter are the most likely culprit. I have a TC 29 that may have the same engine, or almost the same. It had fuel starvation and it was caused by a clog in the fitting on the intake side of the filter. A small particle from the fuel tank clogged the fitting. You can check this by removing the filter bowl and turning on the fuel.

There is another possible cause too. Gasoline contamination of the fuel. Having some gasoline in the fuel will do exactly what you describe, I did it on mine and the symptoms were as you described. Is there any way you could have contaminated the fuel with some gasoline?

 

[foreman Etexas]

I had this issue once and found real little plastic piece from the nozzle on one my plastic 5 gallon cans had got in line and was causing it to bog down. It would idle fine but under full throttle it would get right up to the where goes into the lift pump(maybe I cant recall sorry) and plug it off some in that fitting took me a bit to find it cause once would get off and look around it wasn't causing it to at an idle. Just was a process of elimination

 

[davesill]

OK, thanks for advice. I'll replace the filter since it's cheap and easy, but while I'm in there, I'll try to make sure fuel is flowing freely. Should I drain the tank to make sure it's clean of water/sludge/contaminants, or is that premature?

I can pretty much rule out gasoline contamination because I've never mistakenly added gas and it's been running fine for 2+ years. I could have bought contaminated diesel, but that seems unlikely.

 

[Raspy]

I wouldn't bother draining the tank. Make sure you're getting fuel to the filter and look for any water in the filter bowl. Of course, change the filter and see if the cartridge is sludged up with algae. Your problem seems to be with fuel delivery.

 

[pathunt]

Davesill:

Had similar symptoms. Cleaned fuel bowl and replaced fuel filter. Checked the fuel petcock on the other side (cleaned out trash). Followed fuel line coming to lift pump and put a fuel filter inline (5/16 out and 1/4 in) and crud in my tank was not able to pass through to the petcock mesh filter. Runs and does not bog down.

Starkiller Hollow

 

[Jerry/MT]

OK, thanks for advice. I'll replace the filter since it's cheap and easy, but while I'm in there, I'll try to make sure fuel is flowing freely. Should I drain the tank to make sure it's clean of water/sludge/contaminants, or is that premature?

I can pretty much rule out gasoline contamination because I've never mistakenly added gas and it's been running fine for 2+ years. I could have bought contaminated diesel, but that seems unlikely.

Verify the problem first. Then if it is warranted, clean the tank.

 

[pathunt]

Agree - verify & isolate problem first (fuel flow). Had to work my way back from injection pump - fuel filter - fuel petcock - fuel petcock screen - lift pump - line from tank - drain tank and install inline filter.

Most often solving problems are simple; it's usually me insisting on a complicated solution. The forum has saved me untold hours of "fun".

Starkiller

 

[pathunt]

Agree - verify & isolate problem first (fuel flow). Had to work my way back from injection pump - fuel filter - fuel petcock - fuel petcock screen - lift pump - line from tank - drain tank and install inline filter.

Most often solving problems are simple; it's usually me insisting on a complicated solution. The forum has saved me untold hours of "fun".

Starkiller

 

[Texasmark]

I'd give it a good dose of Castor oil ("Snake Oil) and change the fuel filter when done. Power Services makes a good assortment of diesel cleaner uppers and are popular with a lot of folks, including me because they work. If they didn't work for me I wouldn't waste my time typing this for you. Don't follow the directions on the container initially........throw the brown jug over it's shoulder and give it a good couple of swigs of shine. Then find some real work for it and go through that tank of fuel. Do it again and then change the fuel filter and then follow the directions on the container adding more and keep it in your tractor(s) and in your stored fuel. Let us know the outcome.

That's pretty simple and even if it doesn't fix your problem, which it just might, you haven't lost anything and your engine will thank you for the effort.

 

[buickanddeere]

Why keep operating a machine with a known problem that is becoming progressively worse and drive it until it drops? Doing such often makes a low to medium priced repair into a medium to expensive repair bill.

 

[davesill]

Sorry for the delayed response. Finally got the filter changed and it's running great, so far. Thanks again!

 

[ultrarunner]

Always good to have feedback...

Glad you were able to get it solved!