Help, rough running engine in cold temps

[Coyote machine]

Wow, this thread is jumping all over the place with engine rebuilds, bugs and other things like wet stacking.
First simplest things first. change out the air and fuel filter and start her up and go from there. The air filter being off has done nothing to harm the tractor. Removing it has allowed it to start without having an air restriction that was there previously due to the filter needing to be changed.
Now you've found the fuel filter is jammed up too. So clean the bowl, install a new filter and let's see where you are at.
I doubt you have a stuck thermostat, wet stacking, a need to rebuild your engine, or anything else. What you DO have is a prior to now lousy maintenance plan, poorly executed at best.
You might possibly have some poor quality fuel, but that too remains to be seen.
fuel treatment does not pass clogged injector gunk into the fuel filter. The fuel comes from the tank, passes through the fuel filter then it passes to the injection pump and finally through to the injectors, period.
Jump to no conclusions, waste no time on other theories, get the fuel and air filters changed and then let's see where you're at- OK?!

 

[mfreund]

Is your fuel Biodiesel blend?? It could do this if the oil part if the fuel is solid.

 

[pmhowe]

Wow, this thread is jumping all over the place with engine rebuilds, bugs and other things like wet stacking.
First simplest things first. change out the air and fuel filter and start her up and go from there. The air filter being off has done nothing to harm the tractor. Removing it has allowed it to start without having an air restriction that was there previously due to the filter needing to be changed.
Now you've found the fuel filter is jammed up too. So clean the bowl, install a new filter and let's see where you are at.
I doubt you have a stuck thermostat, wet stacking, a need to rebuild your engine, or anything else. What you DO have is a prior to now lousy maintenance plan, poorly executed at best.
You might possibly have some poor quality fuel, but that too remains to be seen.
fuel treatment does not pass clogged injector gunk into the fuel filter. The fuel comes from the tank, passes through the fuel filter then it passes to the injection pump and finally through to the injectors, period.
Jump to no conclusions, waste no time on other theories, get the fuel and air filters changed and then let's see where you're at- OK?!

I'm with Coyote Machine. He's giving good advice. Let us know how it works out.

 

[SI2305]

Coyote machine, mfreund and others,

Generally I have kept up on the maintenance schedule, mostly in the changing of oil and hydraulic fluid. My biggest error has definitely been in the fuel filter (non) maintenance. Don't get me wrong, I am going to replace the air filter, but I don't think this is the culprit as the problem persists even with the filter missing. The fuel filter, on the other hand, seems to be the most likely culprit given its extremely dark color. I don't really think that I have microbes in the fuel as this applies to stored fuel that has sat for a long time and I go through my two 5 gallon cans too quickly for the little bugs to develop. Again, it seems most likely that the fuel filter is filtering everything--including a good portion of the fuel!

As a preventative for future problems, I was considering simply getting the inside of the machine washed more often. I actually had to look for the filter in order to find it! I know that cars have a sort of shampoo to make them look all sparkly clean. Would the same work on the tractor?

Thanks again

SI2305

 

[SI2305]

Here is a pic of the side of the tractor with my embarrassingly dirty fuel filter. I was thinking that a generally cleaner interior would help highlight the condition of the fuel filter. Or I just need to get my hands dirty and get the job done. I have kept up on the other aspects (basically fluids, tire pressure and greasing) but this one slipped through. no one to blame but myself.

SI2305

 

[3930dave]

Changeout the F filter - you now clearly appreciate its' value :thumbsup:.

You may find some of the "darkness" is just buildup on the inside of the fuel sight bowl - you'll know soon enough.

For general exterior engine cleaning, I often just grab my bottle of Simple Green - soak, scrub, rinse usually does it. I keep SG around for other reasons, and have used it for a long time - one thing I like is its' low toxicity.

Your engine may look dirty compared to parade queens, but is still way better than a lot of working equipment I've seen. Clean looks good, and can help you identify issues as they are emerging.

Rgds, D.

 

[Henri88]

Coyote machine, If you read my first post you would see that I have pretty much said the same thing as you. Lets not jump the gun here. First thing first. Change the fuel filter, if that doesn't do it move to the next step etc.

 

[Henri88]

Henri, do you know why 2305's needed to have their engines rebuilt after such a short period of time? 300 hours seems awfully short-lived. Incidentally, I was able to get a look at the fuel filter/bowl setup and it looked horrible. Definitely time to replace which I will do tomorrow as soon as the dealer opens up.

Thanks to all,

SI2305

2305 don't need to have their engine rebuild at 300hrs. This is very low hrs for these Yanmar engine. We figure that mine was just pure bad luck.

 

[Henri88]

Quote ''Henri,

I checked with your post about needing an engine rebuild. Yes, a lot of the symptoms sound similar, but one striking difference is that you apparently had oil on your filter.''

Not oil on my filter, Oil in my air intake. If you follow the direction of the air flow after the air filter, this is where the air intake is on top of the engine. You have to remove the intake cover to see it. But don't worry about that right now. You have many other test to do.

 

[SI2305]

3930dave

Thanks for the input on Simple Green. Just spray on and hose off. Generally I am doing this for the pragmatic issue of seeing problems before they manifest into much bigger ones like I have now and yes, I too have seen some pretty filthy machines working hard.

Though I don't want a parade queen, I do like the look of my new seat. My old one was getting pretty ratty after 8 years so I found a new one that just felt nice. I had to make it fit but it sure is purdy compared to the old duck taped one I had