John Deere 6405, dies after running 20 minutes

flybikedave · Aug 7, 2014

My 6405 is equipped with triple flail mowers for cutting my 3600' airstrip. Cuts 19.5' wide and was running perfect. UNTIL, during last three uses, it dies down after about 20 minutes use. No overheating, no smoke, just seems to loose power like its starved for fuel. I was sure it was a fuel filter, so after cool down, I changed the fuel/water separator filter and it ran fine again, for another 20 minutes and then again lost power and stalled out. Today I drained fuel from the bottom of the tank, and found no water or excess trash. Installed a new filter and it ran great for another 20 minutes. I then noticed the fuel line from the filter to the injector pump seemed kinked and so I replaced it, to no avail. It may be noteworthy that when changing the filter, the old one is not full of fuel. Problem seem to be heat related. Unless I learn something here, I will next replace fuel line from fuel tank to filter. The lines get very hot under the cowling and are old, so maybe they are collapsing internally? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

TomSeller · Aug 8, 2014

Have you tried loosening up the bleed screw on the injection pump to see that you have a good flow of fuel? Immediately after the engine stalling would be a good time as a double check.

jd110 · Aug 8, 2014

Could be the electric pump in the tank quitting when it heats up. When you change the filter and open the bleed screw, how long does the filter take to fill after you turn on the key? Also the pump in tank has a screen on it that could be clogged. The vented fuel filler cap could be clogged also. try lossening the cap and see if it runs any better.