Fuel filters keep clogging

DLTTrekkers · May 26, 2014

Same feulliftpump has a strainer inside it .....remove lid and check strainer !

Jim Nelson · May 26, 2014

This is a big problem in the marine industry,if you are near the coast you can talk to any marine mechanic and they can help you out. You really need to take the tank off and clean it thoroughly then dry it out and go to fresh fuel,filters and a good biocide to hopefully kill off the little critters living in your system.You really have to be careful of moisture in the fuel because that's what feeds them.

FTG-05 · May 27, 2014

bmschreier said:
Thanks for all the replies!

I have tried running the tractor with the fuel cap off once it starts bogging down...no effect. There's no inline fuel filter, just the stock one. The first filter that clogged was a NH, but the rest have been NAPA gold filters (presumably fine for diesel?).

I have drained the tank through the fuel outlet and didn't notice any sludge, but it looks like the next step is to remove the whole thing and clean it more thoroughly. Hopefully that's not as much of a pain as it sounds. The filler neck is bends around a bit...do most people try to get a brush in there and physically clean it, or just put some fuel in and slosh it around?

Thanks again!

Unless you tell us the part numbers, there's no way to tell.

Agree with others: You probably have an algae/contaminated fuel problem. One question: You're not using any fuel with biodiesel are you?

Good luck!

bmschreier · May 27, 2014

The filter part number is FIL 3264.

No biodiesel.

I probably won't get around to removing the tank for another month, but I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for all the help!

Jim Nelson · May 27, 2014

You might check to see if there are any fuel polishing services in your area.They pump the fuel from your tank and cycle it through filtration systems and them clean the tank.They are usually a little pricey but maybe worth it .I bought a boat once with twin 3208 Cats and the algae in the tanks ruined the injectors in both engines.Now that's pricey!

Coyote machine · May 27, 2014

bmschreier said:
The filter part number is FIL 3264.

No biodiesel.

I probably won't get around to removing the tank for another month, but I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for all the help!

You're not going to get another month out of it, and you could do irreparable damage to the injection pump and injectors during whatever time you have left. Fix it now or pay big time in the long run. :confused3:

bmschreier · May 28, 2014

Well, I'm not going to be using the tractor in the intervening month so it should be ok. I think I will take the tank into a professional fuel tank servicing place for a proper cleaning too.

But this brings up an interesting point, would it do damage because of the fuel starvation from a clogged filter or from small particles getting past the filter and into the pump? As I mentioned before, it's been a number of months that I have been having this happen and I just keep changing the filters. Hopefully I haven't done much damage...

Diamondpilot · May 28, 2014

bmschreier said:
The filter part number is FIL 3264.

No biodiesel.

I probably won't get around to removing the tank for another month, but I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for all the help!

When you do take the fuel level sending unit out to gain access to the innards.

As for damage, only time will tell.

Chris

Coyote machine · May 28, 2014

Professional tank cleaning.:thumbsup: Damage to downstream components, hard to know. May need to pop test and recalibrate injectors. Injection pump damage, as yet unknown, as stated above.

Jim Nelson · May 28, 2014

When I had the problem with the boat I sea trialed it in Ventura,Ca and it ran great,no smoke ,nothing.so I had to hire a skipper to run it to San Diego for me after the deal was done.He had to change both the spin on Cat filters and the Racor filters 3 times and limped in on one engine. This was about a 7 hr. trip.The next morning the boat smoked up the whole marina when I fired it up and by the time it was done I had to replace the injectors in both engines after having the fuel tanks cleaned and polished 3 times.I think it depends on how badly contaminated your tank is,this boat had sat in the water with low fuel levels for over a year.Good Luck..