Engine Stalled While Warming Up Today

[PJSprog]

Decided to do some work on the lower driveway today. Opened the barn, started the XR3135HC, got out to put on the Ratchet Rake while it was warming up, and just as I placed the rake in front of the bucket, the rpms dropped and the engine stalled. Thinking that was odd, I got in and started it again, it ran just fine for a few seconds, then stalled again. Went through this several times before I jumped to the conclusion that something seemed to be starving the fuel. No indications on the dash of any problems. I got out and checked underneath; nothing appeared to be leaking. Then I popped the fuel cap and heard a big gasp. Put it back on, started the tractor, and it ran just fine after that.

Pressure locked? Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[PJSprog]

Technically, I guess it was more of a vacuum lock, now that I think of it.

 

[bruceatlam]

Better buy a new cap ---- that cap should vent/allow air in to prevent that vacuum build up. If you don't, you may crack that plastic tank. I've been down this road.

 

[PJSprog]

I've had this tractor a grand total of 45 days. It has 11.7 hours. Surely the cap hasn't gone bad already. It does point to that, though.

 

[Code54]

Check the cap and see if there is a clogged vent on the cap before replacing. May just be a bad one.
Good luck

 

[Sysop]

Lots of small bugs like little holes like that believe it or not.

 

[bruceatlam]

I've had this tractor a grand total of 45 days. It has 11.7 hours. Surely the cap hasn't gone bad already. It does point to that, though.

You assume it was "good" to begin with ---- may not have been. It may never have been a good cap. But, my dealer told me it wasn't a warranty item because most of the failures are caused by owners who don't keep them clean. I really wanted to argue about that but, you gotta pick your battles. At $30, I just swallowed all of my arguments and paid for a new one. New one works the way the old one was supposed to work.

 

[Ford850]

It's likely a bad cap. I had one on my diesel Grasshopper this year. Bought the GH new last fall and thought it might not be venting so I tried to clean it, and even vacuum it from both directions. I've never had a bad cap on a new engine, so I figured it was stuck or something. This spring I could tell it was definitely bad since the 8 gallon tank was collapsing, but would gasp and spring back out when I removed the cap. GH replaced the cap under warranty.

 

[Thomas]

Tractor sat for couple months what we call mud wasp started fill in hole diesel cap....blast from air hose everything was fine.

 

[PJSprog]

Thanks, guys. It rained here most of the day yesterday, and into this morning. I haven't had a chance this afternoon yet to get out there and check the vent hole.