Kioti just stopped...

[OzKioti]

As the title says, it just stopped for a breather. I tried to restart it, but no go - the starter motor spun the motor OK, but would not start. So I sat there, fat dumb and unhappy for a minute or two, then tried again. This time, no problem - it just started as normal!

Fuel tank was near full (I use a dipstick, as I was trained to do years ago when I started flying training in a Cessna bug-smasher - never trust a fuel gauge). I had been doing some light work with the machine (Kioti RX8030 - 76hp) and was basically idling in 4th down a very slight slope on the way back to the shed.

Any ideas?

 

[k0ua]

As the title says, it just stopped for a breather. I tried to restart it, but no go - the starter motor spun the motor OK, but would not start. So I sat there, fat dumb and unhappy for a minute or two, then tried again. This time, no problem - it just started as normal!

Fuel tank was near full (I use a dipstick, as I was trained to do years ago when I started flying training in a Cessna bug-smasher - never trust a fuel gauge). I had been doing some light work with the machine (Kioti RX8030 - 76hp) and was basically idling in 4th down a very slight slope on the way back to the shed.

Any ideas?

Well, what does it take for a diesel engine to run? Lets see... You need fuel injected at the precise time, you need air to support combustion and you need compression of the fuel air mixture. And you need the momentum of the engine running to keep or start that compression . If I had to guess I would make a guess that the fuel delivery was interrupted in some manner, from the flow from the tank (bug over hole?) or the fuel solenoid lost power or ground so the injector didn't deliver the fuel or the injector has some kind of mechanical problem (rack teeth failure), but it will be difficult to find now that it started and run again. What you have on your hands is an intermittent. And that is the absolute worst kind of problem to have. It would have been a lot easier if it had never run another pop.

 

[tonynz]

yep, fuel starvation surely, but what caused it. The clue maybe in the statement "Fuel tank was near full" indicating that it had been refueled recently. Most likely a bit of stray dirt but how could it get past the filters? Worth a further look cause if you are relying on the engine for braking and it cuts, not nice!

 

[Jchonline]

Safety switch glitch?

 

[k0ua]

Safety switch glitch?

That might have activated the fuel shut off solenoid that shut down the injector pump so no fuel was delivered to the injectors? Might be on to something here.

 

[tman1020]

Did your butt come off the seat?
That could trip the seat safety. Some times if I lean to far one way mine will cut out.

 

[OzKioti]

Re a seat safety switch, I'm not aware of one on this machine. I often get out of the tractor (cab model) to pick up fallen branches when slashing, or after activating the 2 minute countdown timer, I might get out and do a walk-around while waiting for the turbo to cool down before shutdown.

So it must be a temporary fuel starvation situation, but why? An electrical glitch, or temporary blockage in the fuel supply system does seem likely. The tractor has done <100 hours since new in November, and remember it's our summer over here, so typical ambient temperatures are around 30C (not like the -25C you folks in some unexpected parts have had recently). Icing of the fuel lines seems unlikely. Water in the diesel? I'd think the filter would trap that if any were present.

I've talked to the dealer's workshop section, and I have the guys mobile number in case the tractor does it again and won't restart, but as kOua said, these intermittent issues are the worst ones to troubleshoot.

Edit - I've just come in for a coffee break after five hours slashing, and hasn't missed a beat!

 

[monkeyboy22]

I'm assuming (uh-oh) that your fuel cap is vented. Is it possible that the venting isn't working correctly creating a vacuum in the fuel tank?

 

[OzKioti]

I will check that. Thanks

 

[Diggin It]

and remember it's our summer over here, so typical ambient temperatures are around 30C

Have you checked your coolant system?