Fuel Filter Change Questions

[mmranch]

I've got a TYM T603 tractor with approximately 2400 hrs on it. It's used mostly for moving snow, forestry and road maintenance at 9500ft elevation. It's very cold here and the tractor is parked in a heated shop and has a block heater. Upon starting and stopping, the tractor idles for a long time to warm up and cool down.

I was out moving snow the other day and it seemed to lose power several times. I was able to finish my work that day and then several days later was out moving snow again and it really lost power and I was barely able to make it back up the mountain to the shop. Never had any power loss before.

I am right at my oil change time (and I need to do that) but I figured the loss of power is not from that. I have NEVER changed the fuel filter so I figured that would be a quick test to see if it solved the power loss problem.


The fuel tank is down low below the cab. The fuel filter is higher than the tank on the front of the tractor. It's basically tank==>fuel line==>elec fuel pump==>fuel filter==>injector. There is no fuel shutoff valve.

1. I run just diesel in the machine. No additives, etc. Do I need to use additives for any reason? Would additives clean the tank/lines/etc.?

2. There is no water separator. What would that do? Do I need one?

3. I have pinched the fuel lines near the fuel filter. When I change the filter... the new filter will have air in it. I'm guessing I need to then open the bleed screw and turn the key to get the elec fuel pump to pump fuel into the filter til overflowing. Is this the correct procedure to bleed out the air?

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[HarryVanderpool]

So, TYM does not have an operators manual?
You SHOULD be able to open the filter canister, remove the old filter, thoroughly wipe out the inside of the canister for debris, install new filter, install the canister lid loosely, turn on key until canister overflows, tighten canister lid and you're done.

 

[mmranch]

Thanks for the ideas!

I do have the operators manual but the 'fuel filter change section' is a combination of bad english and cryptic descriptions that don't seem to refer to my specific fuel filter assembly (talks about lock-rings, etc... mine has a through bolt holding it together). At the end, there is no description of any 'bleeding' process and it specifically mentions 'don't pre-fill the filter with fuel before installing' warning. Their method (non-method) would leave the filter assembly filled with air it seems. Not good.

I will disassemble/reassemble & try to bleed.

Thanks again.

 

[blacklion66]

If you have no luck fixing the problem, next time it looses power loosen up the fuel cap. slight possibility the cap vent is plugged

 

[mmranch]

Thanks again for the ideas.

I changed the filter, started her and then let her warm up. I then plowed snow (uphill and downhill) for about an hour without power loss. So for now, the problem seems to be sorted. The bottom of the fuel bowl was slightly dirty but not as dirty as I expected. I guess the pores of the filter paper may have been clogged thus reducing flow?

The location of the filter is not ideal for changing. The battery sits up front and the filter is down low, directly behind the battery mounted on a vertical frame. You must remove the battery to have room to replace the filter. Then you must reinstall the battery to have power to bleed the filter. Fuel goes everywhere during the bleeding process so you must remove the battery again to clean up then reinstall the battery once more. If they had mounted the filter higher on the frame above the battery or over on the side of the engine, this PITA could be avoided. Had to really crank on the bleed screw to get it to stop leaking. Anyway... learned a lot.

I checked the fuel cap and it seemed spotlessly clean. Will try that if it loses power again.

As for diesel additives, are there any that should be used for freshening the fuel or cleaning the system?

Thanks again.

 

[Stimw]

If you can you should always dump filter housing into a clean container to check for water.
I use a 2 lt soda bottle that I cut the top off of for gas or diesel engines.
Most modern engines have a fuel return to the tank that will bleed air from the system.
Way back when I had a Boom Truck with a CAT engine. I could not afford fuel filters so I would remove the old one, shake it out, checking for water and put back on.
When I finally would install a new filter the truck would have 10-20% more power!

 

[mmranch]

Thanks very much for the ideas.

Hmmm. Sounds like a water separator inline could remove the water possibility altogether. Have to look into that.

Thanks again.

 

[hosspuller]

You might also have fuel gelling problems in the cold weather. The fuel I bought in the Summer will cause starting & operating problems in Winter. An anti-gel additive might help your problem and absorb water.

 

[mmranch]

Thanks for that info! I will look into an anti-gel additive.

Tractor stays relatively warm indoors before use but when outside it is cold enough to start gelling.

Thanks again.

 

[iseki]

I mmranch , I have a TYM T603 parts catalog if you want

 

[iseki]

I think you may need to buy a new fuel filter