M6800 white smoke losing power?????

[inseeme]

I was bushhogging my pastures today, when about 2 hours into the job, tractor started running rough, losing power and pouring white smoke. Tractor only has 82 hours on it, i done 50 hr service, but did not change fuel filter, what could be causing this problem? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[kingoflawns]

sounds like water in the fuel.

 

[inseeme]

what is the best way to tell if it is water in the fuel?

 

[kingoflawns]

If you have a clear plastic fuel filter bowl it will look milky white.

 

[inseeme]

Ok i will go look and see and let you know in a few minutes.

 

[inseeme]

appears as though you are correct, very pinkish white looking in glass bowl i am going to dump that out and put back in place, fuell tank is down to quarter of a tank what would you do with that try to run most of it out??

 

[kingoflawns]

I would drain out all the bad fuel from the tractor, replace the fuel filter and put in fresh fuel. You may have to repeat this process several times, depending on how contaminated the fuel was. Good luck.

 

[stevenf]

inseeme, I have a M9000 and it is very similiar to yours only more horses, isn't the fuel valve connected to the bowl on the right side under the operator platform? If it is thats a water seperator, dump the contents into a clear bottle and see if the fuel seperates water on bottom fuel on top. Slow down about now if you have a operator manual get it out because when you cut off the valve and remove fuel you'll get air in the system. I believe the air purge procedure is something like cut off valve dump seperator bowl, replace bowl turn back on valve open hood on the right side close to the firewall is a black inverted disk with a knob in the center push on it until it firms up and start tractor "hopefully" if not do it again until it does. I'd check your book to make sure these instructions are correct but they aughta be close. If you don't possess the book reply on this thread and I'll get out the book and repost the book word for word. I do agree with the other posters should the water seperator catch water again and I'd start filtering your fuel if you are storing it as the water came from somewhere, also I believe they say at the end of the day before you kick off your boots and pop a top refill your fuel tank to prevent possible condensation but I did a pole a year or so ago and most didn't refill until they needed it not every time they use the tractor and after I solved my problem by having the fuel company come out and filter the fuel he had delivered I've never had another problem and I think mine was caused by the new storage tank having water in it before it was filled luckily I bought the fuel tank from my fuel guys so they were responsible either way.
Steve

 

[inseeme]

Steve thanks so much for your information luckily I had my book, and followed it word for word, tank had been half full for probably 3 weeks as here lately I have run my tractor very little, ran it today for 2 hours started loosing power and throwing white smoke, looked and the water seperator was completely full with water, as the little red float was at the top, completely cleaned it. put everything back together, bleed system and tractor fired up first time. As the other helpful member stated I believe I will go ahead and replace fuel filter, wouldn't you, as my manual recommends every 400 hrs, and I only have 82 hours on my m6800 after owning for 19 months. 400hrs is a really long time away for me. How do you like the 9000, love the 6800 just wish i had gotten a cab.

 

[SkyPup]

There is nothing worse for a diesel engine than water in the fuel, except perhaps no oil in the crankcase.

Where did you purchase your fuel? Was it stored properly? I would never purchase diesel fuel again from the place that sold it to you, their tanks are contaminated.