Fuel Filter TC30

[tcreeley]

I replaced the fuel filter on my 2003 TC30 yesterday. I discovered a few things. One was that my 2000 TC30 was really a 2003 TC30. I bought it from its 3rd owner last winter and went with what he said. However, in changing the filter, I found the date of manufacture on the motor. 03 looked like 00 with the grime.

Not much clearance around the filter housing - couldn't get that off until I tapped the filter loose and it all slid off together. The filter was coated in black scum for 1/2 of it. I'm surprised it still ran! The filter assembly was scummy inside and had grit particles at the bottom. Cleaned it all up. The assembly would not make the bend to go back up until I used a screw driver to lift the filter edge gently up into place with the housing around it. Then I bled it (had already let the water run out- never saw any). When I opened the bleed nut I was thinking brakelines and didn't open it much as I turned the motor over. It wouldn't run, so I bled the injectors. No fuel was coming out to speak of so I left it for a cup of coffee. Thought about it and unscrewed the fuel bleed nut until I saw the hole in the side of it. Then I turned the engine over. Air and fuel came out, then fuel shot out 7 inches or so in a steady stream and the engine caught. I shut it off, screwed in the nut and it ran perfectly when I started it up again. Runs even better with a clean filter than before- smoother. The doing is always different than looking at the pictures!

On a side note. When it is -15 to -20 below what weight oil are you running in the tractor? Manual says 5w30 mastergold, but I am wondering if people really are just sticking with the 10w30?

 

[jbrumberg]

I have had no problems using 10w30 down to -17*F. I do use my engine block heater for ~1 hour (2-3 C's high test coffee) prior to startup. Tractor runs better than I do when it's that cold. I let it warm up until the temperature gauge starts to register.

Not a lot of clearance for moving that sediment bowl around.

It's amazing what "surprises" awaits the purchaser of third party products ; congratulations on yours.

 

[Luremaker]

I use 10W-30 in my TC18 and every winter we usually get a 2-3 week cold spell with lows in the -30*F's. I do use the block heater in the cold weather and let her warm up for 5-10 minutes. I like a warm cab when blowing snow.

 

[yoder]

I have had no problems using 10w30 down to -17*F.

Wow thats got to Hurt. I don,t even know what that cold feels like. I run Shell 15w 40 here year around.

Most of our winter days are mid 40's to mid 50"s with a week or two in the 35 to 45 range . I have thought about a lower Wt. oil in the winter but try not to do any Tractor work on those colder days. You fellows have snow to deal with though. If we get even 1 inch they close the schools down. We got 4 inches in 2010 and it shut the town down for several days.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Wow.. those are some very low numbers. I use the CNH 15-40 here year round. When it gets to below 10 degrees, I let it snow and wait for a little warmer.. -17?? That's what wood stoves are for!

 

[ctwo1]

Yep I've used 10/30 here all winter. I do have a block heater that gets used on those days its chilly and didn't have any problems at all. We usually have a couple weeks below the -20 F mark each winter.