Help, rough running engine in cold temps

[SPYDERLK]

3930dave,

actually, part of this whole thread stems from the fact that I could not even see my filter in the first place. I do a regular maintenance routine, and I am getting close to getting some other issues that are approaching or overdue a bit (I need to change the engine oil, though by Hours I still have time left in it). As my tractor became more and more filthy, the less I could see the darkening sediment bowl. Right now, unfortunately is not the time to go spraying down the tractor, but it should be on my to-do list in spring. I really like your SG idea. I also don't like spraying a bunch of poison just to be rinsed off into my yard or water drainage.

SI2305

The reason you can see it is the reason its darkening. The algae requires light to form and 350hrs over several years gives plently of stagnation in the filter so it can develop a foothold. What can be a good visual cue turns into a curse with infrequent use of the tractor unless its parked in the dark. The fuel system will perform best if kept opaque end to end.

I just did my first fuel filter change on the 7520 at 1250hrs. It looked pristime but I changed it anyway because I was experiencing lower power in winter until the tractor warmed well. Could be my warm up timing advance function that I already know has a problem.
larry

 

[3930dave]

I'm not convinced that live diesel bugs necessarily require light, but I'm pretty convinced most strains need water to get rolling. Need a relevant micro-biologist in here to get a definitive answer.....

Back to the water - in Henri's picture I can see what looks like a red float ring at the bottom of the fuel sight bowl, that should indicate water level. What I don't see in any of these pictures is the water drain valve - could be the angle - is there a drain valve on the bottom of these bowls ?

Or is the drain valve somewhere else on these JDs ?

I might be repeating myself (been in a few of these type of threads lately), but it's worth it..... given the likelyhood of contamination, I'd be dosing the tank with a shot of biocide when doing the filter change/service.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Something to keep in mind..... water and microbial contamination may have little/nothing to do with your own fuel storage/handling practices.

IE. you wouldn't be the first to get contaminated diesel from a supplier.

Is the station you buy from a high-volume one ? Do you know anybody else who routinely buys diesel there ?

Rgds, D.

 

[SI2305]

Found the culprit--my own stupidity and negligence!!

OK, I finally got to the dealer, bought both an air and fuel filter. I swapped out the air filter, started up and no difference. Then I went for the fuel filter. To say it was filthy beyond belief is but an understatement. The filter was solid encrusted black, a nice slug of water poured out of the filter bowl when I emptied it and to top it off there was a nice contingent of frosty ice actually attaching the filter to bottom of bowl! OK, I have learned my lesson about fuel filters. frankly I am amazed that the machine would run in normal temps given the filth of the filter. It makes my air filter look all nice and new! Pictures 1 and 3 are my old filter. Picture 2 is my Viking funeral I gave all the old fuel, paper towels, gunk and other gunk that I would otherwise have thrown away. Go ahead, let me have it!

 

[pmhowe]

Should have saved that filter; it looked fine to me. (Just kidding, of course.) Glad you got it sorted out.

PMH

 

[SI2305]

Thanks!!

 

[3930dave]

Congratulations, got 'er done :thumbsup:.

Larry has a good point, there was quite a bit of contamination on your filter, re. the # of hours.

With or w/o the red float ring indicator, keep a close eye on the water level from now on. There can be any # of ways that water is accruing - keeping track on the separator bowl will give you early warning.

Keep an extra filter on the shelf, and keep treating your fuel.

Rgds, D.

 

[DeereMann]

3930D. - thanks for advice to prime-fill new fuel filter in bowl to avoid contamination from pre-filling. I will be changing mine next year for 1st time, shoulda known better!

 

[3930dave]

3930D. - thanks for advice to prime-fill new fuel filter in bowl to avoid contamination from pre-filling. I will be changing mine next year for 1st time, shoulda known better!

Welcome. Credit where it's due, that detail came my way from a long PM discussion I had with MHarryE.

A good general practice (no-prefill), but esp. critical on modern diesels. He detailed a design where Cat made a point of installing a final filter upside down, so it would be impossible to pre-fill.

In fact, that subject probably deserves a thread of its own.

How about it Harry ?

(Obviously, I don't mind posting :laughing:, but I'd sooner have the thread authored by MHE. I'd have to step up my knowledge on diesels just to catch up with what Harry has forgotten about them !).

Rgds, D.

 

[Coyote machine]

Glad you got it solved. My concern is about what looked like rust on the caps of the filter, which could have gone past the filter into your injection pump and injectors. If it were my tractor I'd keep a very close eye on the new filter and the sight glass and if any further signs of water appear I'd drain my tractor fuel tank and again change the fuel filter. Treating your incoming fuel supply is one thing, existing possible contamination of your on tractor fuel tank is another. Consider yourself very lucky if you don't have any further damage down the line from the fuel filter as a result of that filter's condition.