Engine suddenly died

[Mac2411]

Thought I would see what the internet thinks. I own a Massey Ferguson 1742 without about 70 hours. I was flail mowing a trail today over mostly level ground and pretty short grass (I maintain the trail as a fire break so I keep it well mowed). I'd been mowing for about 30-45 minutes when I just suddenly lost power. The engine completely shut off. Thought maybe I bounced in the seat and the safety switch lost contact so I tried to restart-the tractor would crank but wouldn't turn over. There's about 1/4 tank of fuel in the tractor. Any ideas of what might be going on folks?

 

[crazyal]

If I had to guess I would say that you have a safety switch or maybe a wire going to a switch that is damaged. Did you look underneath to see if you picked up a stick or something? Also, not knowing your tractor, but does it have safety switches to shut off the engine if the oil gets low?

 

[zzvyb6]

crank means turnover. Crank: won't fire, or clack but doesn't turnover. Lost the fuel solenoid or lost injection, or lost fuel pressure. Or, lost battery and not enough watts to do anything. If fuel solenoid pulls in, then see if you can push start it.

If you lost the seat safety, then bouncing back on the seat would keep the motor running.

 

[Mac2411]

Thanks for the quick answer crazyal. Safety switch was my first guess too but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary and if the seat switch is offf the tractor won't even crank. The tractor will crank but won't start. As for oil, I checked the oil before I started today and about twenty minutes or so after it died and it showed full on the dipstick. I looked underneath briefly and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. The area I was in when it died was just relatively short grass and clover-no brush.

 

[Mac2411]

You're correct zzvyb6, but terminology aside the engine won't start. Fuel system issue is what I'm leaning toward-maybe bad solenoid.

 

[DB Pilot]

How about the PTO lever? I have stalled in tall grass and forgotten to turn it off before restarting.

 

[Mac2411]

The grass shouldn't have been tall enough to stall anything, but regardless I shut off the PTO before I tried restarting the tractor so no dice on that one. Good thought though.

 

[zzvyb6]

OK, so it cranks but won't fire. So, you can maually push in the fuel shutoff (best to get some help on the seat. It takes two to tango). Or, fuel filter or a water slug has gotten you. Do you have a water separator tank ? Loosen an injector and crank it to see if fuel is spurting. If not we have a winner. Fuel pump, hose or tank pickup issue. If you have fuel spurting, that's more serious. Black smoke or white ? Black = some combustion, white = not high enough compression to light it off. If there is fuel flowing and you have gears, push it down a hill to roll it over much faster than a starter can.

 

[zzvyb6]

By some chance, if the oxidation catalyst is inop or soot filter is plugged, will it prevent the motor from starting ?

 

[MHarryE]

Did you try changing the fuel filter? Have too many experiences with that - plugged filter, lose power & die - replace filter & go. Only our largest tractor has a fuel filter light. If it comes on, you have about 30 minutes before you're walking.

 

[Mac2411]

MHarryE-It was literally at the end of the day when it stopped so I haven't done anything beyond just give it a quick inspection. I thought about the fuel filter but surely it wouldn't be clogged with only 70 hours on the tractor. I suppose it's possible.

 

[Mac2411]

"By some chance, if the oxidation catalyst is inop or soot filter is plugged, will it prevent the motor from starting ?"


I don't know the answer to that question zzvyb6

 

[RPW]

My guess is water in fuel or clogged filter. Reason being is the statement loss of power and then quit.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Did it loose power but keep running for a bit then die or was the loss of power part of the process of going from operating speed to off? We are all used to idling down then shutting off so it goes from running (5 or 600 rpm) to off in a blink because it only has to loose a few hundred RPM but to go from operating speed it has to loose 2500 rpm (give or take) and that is going to take enough time to be noticeable.

Think about the last time you ran out of gas, it doesn't just abruptly stop, it has to wind down.

 

[GManBart]

MHarryE-It was literally at the end of the day when it stopped so I haven't done anything beyond just give it a quick inspection. I thought about the fuel filter but surely it wouldn't be clogged with only 70 hours on the tractor. I suppose it's possible.

It's definitely possible. I'd definitely see if fuel is getting to the injectors, and then work backwards towards the tank, but it won't hurt to put a new fuel filter on it.

 

[MHarryE]

My Kubota L5740 had 30 hours when the first filter plugged. The next one went 40. Since then I added a water block filter to my fuel pump. Somewhere in my supply chain I get more water in my fuel than I can ever rationally expect.

 

[Mac2411]

Did it loose power but keep running for a bit then die or was the loss of power part of the process of going from operating speed to off? We are all used to idling down then shutting off so it goes from running (5 or 600 rpm) to off in a blink because it only has to loose a few hundred RPM but to go from operating speed it has to loose 2500 rpm (give or take) and that is going to take enough time to be noticeable.

Think about the last time you ran out of gas, it doesn't just abruptly stop, it has to wind down.

It very suddenly lost power.

 

[Mac2411]

My Kubota L5740 had 30 hours when the first filter plugged. The next one went 40. Since then I added a water block filter to my fuel pump. Somewhere in my supply chain I get more water in my fuel than I can ever rationally expect.

Interesting. I likely will start with the fuel filter and see if that takes care of it. Given my main source of fuel it is possible I am getting a little water.

 

[Mac2411]

My guess is water in fuel or clogged filter. Reason being is the statement loss of power and then quit.

I'm going to start with the fuel filter.

 

[Mac2411]

Thanks to all who replied. The information is appreciated.