Fuel problem?

[Richard]

Had the International 444 out yesterday cutting some paths in fields so we can walk the dogs.

Was about as far away from the house as I could possilby be and just like turning the ignition switch on your car off, the tractor simply died. No sputtering, no coughing... just a simple "die" as though someone intentionally turned it off during operatioin.

A bit flabbergasted, called wifes cousin (lives next door and owns tractor), they drove out with some basic tools.

Removed fuel line from injector and fuel WAS coming out but I'm not sure how much needs to be there.

Hooked chain to tractor and dragged it home.

When back at house, they mentioned that it has been a while since they've changed fuel filter.

AH HA!!! My light bulb is now going off... so I'm putting the below to you guys to see if this makes sense. (unfortunately the fuel and oil filters on this tractor are a REAL pain to change... which is why it's evidently not been done)

symptoms:

1. Last season and this year, the tractor will NOT reach "full" rpm's even though the throttle is maxed.

2. I've never heard it but wifes cousin said when tractor is idling, he sometimes hears it ...uh... "race" (bad word). What I think he means is it will rev up and then idle down, all with the throttle at a steady location.

3. Tractor died yesterday for no apparent reason, no explosions, no broken crank cases.

4. Though fuel DOES come out injectors, I'm just ignorant of how MUCH and how HARD it is supposed to come out. Oh, I don't mean out of the injectors because I didn't remove them, I mean the supply line TO the injectors.


So, regardless of all else it seems as though a filter change is in good order here and I'm just wondering if anyone here thinks the filter might in fact, be the problem?

 

[normde2001]

How hard can it be to change a fuel filter and bleed the lines?

Assuming you tried to re-start the tractor to no avail.

 

[Richard]

Tried to start, to no avail!

As for how hard... it's not difficult per se', however these are not the spin off, spin on canisters... they are some kind of cartridge where you disassemble it and in the process, get oil all over you (at least I do ) and when you put the oil filter back together, as I recall... you have to align things up fairly well and then if I recall, there is a bolt that goes through the bottom of the oil 'can' (or what ever the outer cylinder is called that holdes the inner cartridge). If memory serves me, if you don't get all this lined up nicely, it will create a larger mess when engine is turned on. Maybe that is a problem if it's not tightened enough...I don't remember. I did it once about 5 years ago as they USUALLY take care of things like this (all to say that it is an even bet that it's really been 5 years since oil filter has been changed!!)

I've never changed the fuel filter but again, it's not like your spin on type. Oh, and the air filter? lol....it's fun... it's some kind of screen that you first have to soak in gas to remove all the crud, then you air it out and put it into an oil bath to work.

Yes, I love working on this tractor. Maybe yesterday is a blessing in disguise!! I think I saw a cliff nearby

 

[6sunset6]

sounds like me. I changed a fuel filter on a ford 1320 and got something in one of the injectors .then I had to rebuild the injector and go get new copper rings and all. My other tractor MF 30E hoe has one of those bolt up through the middle things that cannot be reached. I finally figuired out that if I take off the foot guards in the cab I can reach around with my other arm and get it done. but since the tank shut off valve is broken I take a diesel bath when ever I do this. I try not to do it often, in fact cannot remember the last time, machine runs fine.