Expectant PT1430 daddy

iono · Aug 6, 2003

1430 arrives intact... but sickly

Sigh. My 1430 arrived in good shape, but I've quickly discovered a major engine problem. It will run about 15 minutes and then the RPMs slowly drop off to near zero, then slowly climb back to normal. Once this happens, putting any load on the engine causes the cycle to repeat. Once the engine cools it will start and run 15 minutes again but... (rinse and repeat).

I am absolutely bummed. Terry at PT has only a vague guess as to the cause (faulty fuel filter, which I've yet to find locally). So rather than wait 3 days for a replacement part from PT which may have no effect, I've put in a service call to a local Deutz dealer and they will have a tech out here by Friday. The person I spoke with at the Deutz 800 number guessed that it needs a minor adjustment to the governor, which requires some skill and a special tool.

Guess until Friday I'll just sit and stare at it thinking how great it's gonna be. Someday.

Grumble.

Anyone with ideas for a quick-fix or things to try?

JohnMiller3 · Aug 6, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

( fuel filter ) 

Possible contaminated fuel? then the in-line filter gets partially restricted can cause exactly that symptom...

Should be able to buy a "generic" replacement at any large auto parts outlet for under $3. bucks...

You also may want to "drain" your fuel tank and put fresh fuel from another container... so you don't get in a "catch-22" situation...

Good luck... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob999 · Aug 6, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

The fuel filter is a Deutz 117-4696. This crosses to a Purolator F50284, or NAPA 3195, or WIX 33373.

iono · Aug 6, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

 The fuel filter is a Deutz 117-4696. This crosses to a Purolator F50284, or NAPA 3195, or WIX 33373. 

Cool. The local parts stores have been unable to cross-index that number. Guess there's no harm in trying the filter and fuel changes while I'm waiting.

Thanks.

Sedgewood · Aug 6, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

 The fuel filter is a Deutz 117-4696. This crosses to a Purolator F50284, or NAPA 3195, or WIX 33373 

Hmmm.... I have the 117-4696 crossed to a NAPA 3358 - wonder where I got that info. Darned if I can remember. Anyone know what the differences might be? I'd like to update my reference if need be.

Sedgewood

Bob999 · Aug 6, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

 Hmmm.... I have the 117-4696 crossed to a NAPA 3358 

I should have listed the 3358 also. According to the info I have both the 3358 and the 3195 are acceptable.

Sedgewood · Aug 7, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

 I should have listed the 3358 also. According to the info I have both the 3358 and the 3195 are acceptable 

Oh, ok, thanks Bob, I'll add the 3195 to my list.

Sedgewood

RegL · Aug 7, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

Hi all, This is the first time I have posted but have been doing some reading. You guys got my confidance up so, despite having never seen one in person, I called up PT and ordered a 1430+ bucket+ brushhog+ stump grinder. More later if the tractor works out. Actually, I'm not sending the check out untill tomorrow so there is still time for anyone here to try to talk me out of it. I'm sure I will have a lot of questions later but just a couple for now. I hope to get the 60" snowblower befor winter. Does anyone have experance with it, how well does it work and is it durable? My other question concerns the brushhog. I know from reading here that it will knock down just about anything but my concern is cut quality while field mowing. I mow some fields commercially which are usually 3-5 foot tall grass and weeds. The rotery cutter I use and others I have seen are open at the front of the deck. In the pictures saw of PT's unit looks as though the deck is skirted all around. I'm wondering if thats going to lay the grass down so the blades will not pick it up and cut it cleanly. Can't make money having to cut twice to pick up a lot of straglers. Not that the cutter will be waste, I always have brush to knock down. I guess for now, I would like to thank everyone for the good info thats being passed along here and hope I can contribute in the future. Reg. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · Aug 7, 2003

Re: 1430 arrives intact... but sickly

Welcome to TBN!

My 48" brush hog for the PT425 is open in front. I haven't got but two hours on it, though, and that was on dead brush, not green grass.

iono · Aug 8, 2003

1430 stalling saga continues...

Well, a mechanic from Stewart & Stevenson paid a visit to my 1430 today to diagnose the RPM lossage problem described previously. I had decided to forgo messing with the fuel system myself since I'm not a mechanic, the silly thing is only days old, and I shouldn't be the one responsible for fixing someone else's problem on a brand new machine. Also, the people I'd talked to about the problem (at both Deutz and S&S) guessed the problem would more likely be with the governor.

Turned out to be the fuel system after all. The line from the tank to pump was clogged severely (I don't know how it ever ran for 20 minutes before the RPM problem would begin). That led to an inspection of the fuel tank where we found copious crud on the bottom as well as rusty inner walls and bottom. A telescoping magnet thingy was swished around the bottom of the tank and pulled out a large wad of metal filings. The mechanic identified some particles as definitely being welding slag -- the rest looked more like grinder filings. So far I've fished out about a tablespoon of the stuff.

A call to Power Trac resulted in:

1. An insinuation that I had put in contaminated fuel.

2. A comment that it would be fine because there's a good fuel filter in the line.

3. When I stated that this was not "fine", it was suggested that I continue to fish around with the telescoping magnet to remove the crud.

4. I asked the general question: "What is PT willing to do to make this right"? The answer was very long, so to paraphrase: "Nothing, it's not a problem".

I don't consider this acceptable and I'm really quite hacked off, but given my inexperience with engines I don't know how to refute this. I've considered calling Deutz to ask if they will honor the engine warranty given the condition of the fuel tank and the recommendations provided by Power Trac.

What do you guys think? I'm wondering both how to approach this situation with PT, and also how to deal with it on my own assuming, as appears to be the case, that PT is going to offer nothing. And should I be concerned about the rust in the tank, or just the particulate matter?

Out of curiosity, I fished the (very clean) magnet around in the hydro oil and also came up with a few metal filings -- nothing like in the fuel tank, but still... OK, group assignment... everyone go fish a magnet around in their fuel and hydro tanks and report back what they find.