Ford 2120 - 1991 Will not stay running! Please help

[mholka]

Hi everyone,

New to tractors here and i got a Ford 2120 when we bought our new home here in Petoskey Michigan this summer.

Had it in to the dealership to change all fluids, filters and then give me an orientation on this tractor. Also had the from gear boxes rebuilt at the same time to stop a leak.

I have since had to replace the waterpump - Oh boy that was fun without the service manual! But got it done.

Now I am having a problem keeping it running. It started acting up 3 days ago and while out snow blowing it just died in the middle of my 1200 ft driveway. Got is going just fine again and checked all fluids etc. Could not see any issues.

Now today I got 1 pass down the 1200 ft drive and it died in the entrance. I spent the next 3 hours trying to get it started (drained the battery) charged it up and then put a brand new battery in it. Thought maybe the alternator was not charging so I readjusted the alternator to eliminate some belt looseness. I also pulled the air filter off (filter is clean and has maybe 20 hours on the new one). Got it started but it chugged for about 30-60 seconds then began to purr like it should. Got almost all the way back to the workshop garage and it died again. Now trying to start it, it wants so start but kinda chuggs a bit, then revs up and then dies. Fuel filter looks clean. I have been putting the 911 additive in like the dealership recommended so I would not think there is GELLED fuel.

Called dealership and they are not sure where to diagnose and suggested we get it in. However their truck/trailer guy is backlogged 2 weeks.

Please HELP. We cant survive without a snow machine and until I can get a new tractor and blower I am stuck.

 

[sixdogs]

Did the fuel filter get changed? If so, maybe air in the fuel lines and they need to be bled. My 2110 would act like yours after I changed or cleaned the fuel filter. Others will know more about this but that was my experience.


EDIT---Also, I recall that one of the fuel filter gaskets was difficult to install. Maybe an air leak?

 

[GPintheMitten]

I assume you already checked for full diesel tank. I would check for a need to bleed fuel lines. Are the clamps on the fuel filter tight?

 

[Soundguy]

assumingt fuel solenoid is not an issue. diesels that start and run ok.. but stall or fail to make rpms without clouds of smoke are usually fuel starved.

if it makes clouds of smoke check air filter to make sure it is not frozen.

 

[GPintheMitten]

assumingt fuel solenoid is not an issue. diesels that start and run ok.. but stall or fail to make rpms without clouds of smoke are usually fuel starved.

if it makes clouds of smoke check air filter to make sure it is not frozen.

Did you mean fuel filter frozen? I thought it would have a paper element air filter? But I don't know these tractors.

 

[redman135]

It sounds like you have a fuel restriction.
1)Try running with the fuel cap on loose ,not done up tight. You may have a blocked tank vent so as you use fuel you create a vaccum that straggles your engine.
2) Disconnect the fuel line to the first fuel filter, fuel should come out in a steady stream. If it does not then you have a part blockage in the fuel tank. NB some tractors have a small easily blocked filter where the fuel exits the tank.eg massey furgeson135.

 

[Soundguy]

air filters will pick up moisture from pushing snow, etc, and it's not out of the realm of possibility to get a frozen air filter like a block of ice.

theyt can be perplexing as the next sunny day you go look and all is fine.

i suppose if you had a ton of water in the fuel, you might freeze a glob in a sediment bowl, tank tap or line too.

air filters that are restricted usually make it smoke like coal. and then die like throwing a emergency choke plate on an intake to stop a runaway.

if it's not smoking like that ( there are other heavy smoke issues ).. then look at fuel starvation .. that's the other prime way to stop a diesel.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Ok. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[mholka]

It sounds like you have a fuel restriction.
1)Try running with the fuel cap on loose ,not done up tight. You may have a blocked tank vent so as you use fuel you create a vaccum that straggles your engine.
2) Disconnect the fuel line to the first fuel filter, fuel should come out in a steady stream. If it does not then you have a part blockage in the fuel tank. NB some tractors have a small easily blocked filter where the fuel exits the tank.eg massey furgeson135.

BINGO - Redman135 you nailed it. Fuel Cap vent was clogged. Ran for 30 minutes with the cap loosened so I cleaned the **** out of it with some gumout then washed in hot soapy water! **** fuel cap vent! Never would have thought of that!!! Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one!!!

I dropped the cap in slushy dirt when I filled it 3 days ago and cleaned it off with a rag but must have gotten debris in the vent.

Thank you, THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!

 

[mholka]

Redman135 you nailed it. Fuel Cap vent was clogged. Ran for 30 minutes with the cap loosened so I cleaned the **** out of it with some gumout then washed in hot soapy water! **** fuel cap vent! Never would have thought of that!!! Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one!!!

She ran for 1.5 hours and cleaned off the driveway nicely. No hiccup at all!

I dropped the cap in slushy dirt when I filled it 3 days ago and cleaned it off with a rag but must have gotten debris in the vent.

Thank you, THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!

 

[GPintheMitten]

Good.

 

[mholka]

Thank you ALL for suggestions. Lot to learn on this tractor.

 

[Soundguy]

keep us posted.

 

[redman135]

excellent. happy tractoring.

 

[sixdogs]

This was really very clear thinking to suggest a plugged fuel cap. A lesson I keep learning is to start the fix to a problem by looking at the most simple solution first and work up from there. Good advice redman.

It sounds like you have a fuel restriction.
1)Try running with the fuel cap on loose ,not done up tight. You may have a blocked tank vent so as you use fuel you create a vaccum that straggles your engine.
2) Disconnect the fuel line to the first fuel filter, fuel should come out in a steady stream. If it does not then you have a part blockage in the fuel tank. NB some tractors have a small easily blocked filter where the fuel exits the tank.eg massey furgeson135.