fuel starved?

[dontKnowMuch]

hi,

my JD 4310 keeps stalling out. i thought i had water in my diesel, but after cleaning the tank, replacing the fuel and filter, im still having issues that i hope someone can help me troubleshoot.

I live in CT, and its getting colder, but after replacing the fuel, i was able to get the engine to turn over and start, but decided to let it run for a while... i came back about ten minutes later and it was still running, which made me optimistic, but it sounded a little off like it still wasnt idling smoothly. I decided let it keep running a bit longer cause im kinda slow, but optimistic by nature. Sure enough, came back five minutes later and it had stalled out. Tried to restart it a few times after that and it would turn over but not continue running. This was similar to last week when i first started having this issue.

Im not too smart when it comes to mechanical things, but im trying to learn. Ive always heard that an engine needs spark, fuel, and air. Since im getting the engine to occasionally get started, but the engine is stalling when put any stress on it at all or even when sitting still, im thinking i still have a fuel problem, and something must be inhibiting it getting to the engine, does that make sense?

Thanks in advance for any advice on what i should do next!

 

[Jstpssng]

Is it gas or diesel? If the latter it only requires fuel, compression and air. There should be a fuel sediment bowl under the fuel tank; does that look clean, or is it full of dirt and/or ice? If diesel when you crack the bleeder screw does fuel come out?

 

[dontKnowMuch]

its Diesel. Yes the bleeder "knob" allows fuel to flow out.

the sediment bowl looks ok to my untrained eye.

 

[Fuddy1952]

How many hours on it? Last service?

 

[Stimw]

When looking for a problem always dump fuel filter/bowl in a clear container and check for water.
I use a 2 ltr soda bottle with top cut off and the bumps in the bottom help roll the fuel around to look at it.
Also check the fuel cap, the vent can get stopped up and they will shut off.

 

[dontKnowMuch]

i purchased this tractor last spring, it has 880 hours on it. I havent had it serviced, but the guy who sold it to me said he serviced it prior to delivery...

I first suspected water in the tank, so i dumped all the fuel, replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the bottom of the tank with a cloth and grabber tool. One thing that struck me as odd, i figured the tank would be flat, but i could "feel" a drain area while i was trying to clean the inside of the tank. One thing i noticed when i started it and it was running, the tank gauge was stating the tank was empty. not sure if thats related to this issue and if i could have hit something inside the tank when swabbing it.

 

[LouNY]

It could be several things, when it quits have you tried to drain fuel from the filter at that time?
If so did it suck air back or have fuel run out?
Have you tried removing the fuel cap and running it?
Have you removed the fuel line when it quit and checked for full flow?
Some tanks with have a screened riser attached to the fuel shutoff or sediment bowl.
Have you checked the fuel return line from the pump and injectors, that it is not plugged?
Does this tractor have a mechanical stop or does the key switch shut it off?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Not familiar with your tractor. Is it a gravity tank located above the engine? If not look for a 12 volt fuel booster pump in the line ahead of the injector pump. should be down stream from the filter.

Ron

 

[thepumpguysc]

Just loosen the INLET fuel line on the inj. pump & spin the engine.. left fitting is IN.. right fitting is OUT/return.
The supply pump bolted to the side of the inj. pump should produce enough fuel to getcha wet.. if its squirting out, tighten it up..
Loosen the steel lines AT THE INJECTORS in the head & crank the engine.. do u have fuel squirting out there?? IF YES, tighten the lines back up.
There is an electric shut off bolted to the back of the injection pump.. 2 screws.. MAKE SURE its working..
To diagnose the shut off sol... u can remove it from the pump & see if it starts.. IF IT STARTS.. just remember, u took the sol. OFF & it wont shut off w/ the key.. Figure out how the sol. works & do the same w/ your finger inside the pump to shut it off..

 

[Tx Jim]

I once owned a different color tractor with similar fuel problems & similar type fuel filter housing. Local dealer service manager told me to check for blockage in fuel filter housing. I removed screw(key 12) then removed fuel control lever(key 9) then found blockage problem. Another possibility is deteriorating rubber inside fuel lines blocking fuel flow.