arizona98tj
Gold Member
Winter has hit northern Minnesota and with that comes snow removal. Here is the background...
Tractor has about 430 hrs on it. Never had a bit of trouble with it. The last time I used it was beginning of November when the temperature was around freezing. Ran great at that time. The tank is slightly over 3/4 full and has Power Service Diesel Fuel Suppliment (white bottle) in it at the recommended amount. I use Power Diesel year round.
Yesterday, I started the 1529 without issue and plowed my driveway and yard for about 3 hours. The tractor ran perfectly and the air temperature was a little above zero. I drove over to my neighbors and began doing his driveway. After about 5 to 10 minutes, I began experiencing the problem of losing power. At first, it was intermitent but after 20 minutes of this happening, I headed for home as I didn't want my tractor stuck in his driveway.
My first thought was gelling of the fuel or perhaps icing in the fuel line or filter. The fuel was more a summer blend than a winter blend as I'm thinking the tank was last filled in September perhaps with fuel puchased in August. I went to town and picked up a new filter elelment, 5 gallons of fresh diesel, and a bottle of Power Service Diesel 911 (red bottle). I added about 6 ounces of red bottle and 2 ounces of white bottle to the tractor tank and started it. After coming up to normal operating temp on the gauge, I increased the idle to 2,000 RPM and let it run for about 5 minutes. I didn't drive it, just let it run in the garage under a noload condition.
This morning, after having it on the block heater for 2 hours, it started like normal. Air temp was at least 10 degrees colder than yesterday. With fingers crossed, I took it out of the garage. In less than 20 feet, I was battling the loosing power problem although today, it was more serious than yesterday.
I decided to change the fuel filter element. This is where I ran into a snag in the owner's manual. I was reading the section on how to bleed the air out of the fuel system (see attached photo). The manual instructs you to bleed the air at the fuel filter by opening a screw. The one pointed out in the manual is actually the filter's 12mm mounting bolt (see #3 in figure 182). So of the two screws that are located above the mounting bolt, I don't know which one to open to bleed. I also have doubts as to the bleed screw on the pump now that I've seen the first mistake. At this point in time, I've NOT opened the fuel line system so I've not introduced air into it.
So....that is where I'm at. I'm open to suggestions. I've read the various posts in the forum about foreign objects in the fuel tank such as flies and plastic shavings which blocked the fuel line causing a loss of power. Given the time of year and the symptoms I'm seeing, and the fact that it ran well for the first 3 hours of use, I'm not thinking that is the problem.
If someone could point out which screw is the bleed screw on the filter and the pump, I would appreciate it. I've included photos taken of the manual and of my tractor. Any other suggestions are welcomed. I'm not too crazy about a fuel tank removal to check for objects given the ambient temperature this time of year and an unheated garage.
Worst case scenarios is I call the MF dealer next week and take it to their shop. I'm worried that the problem might not show up once it gets in a warm shop...I don't know.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Edit: I should add that this is the 3rd winter season for this tractor since I bought it. As I said above, never had a bit of trouble up until yesterday.
Tractor has about 430 hrs on it. Never had a bit of trouble with it. The last time I used it was beginning of November when the temperature was around freezing. Ran great at that time. The tank is slightly over 3/4 full and has Power Service Diesel Fuel Suppliment (white bottle) in it at the recommended amount. I use Power Diesel year round.
Yesterday, I started the 1529 without issue and plowed my driveway and yard for about 3 hours. The tractor ran perfectly and the air temperature was a little above zero. I drove over to my neighbors and began doing his driveway. After about 5 to 10 minutes, I began experiencing the problem of losing power. At first, it was intermitent but after 20 minutes of this happening, I headed for home as I didn't want my tractor stuck in his driveway.
My first thought was gelling of the fuel or perhaps icing in the fuel line or filter. The fuel was more a summer blend than a winter blend as I'm thinking the tank was last filled in September perhaps with fuel puchased in August. I went to town and picked up a new filter elelment, 5 gallons of fresh diesel, and a bottle of Power Service Diesel 911 (red bottle). I added about 6 ounces of red bottle and 2 ounces of white bottle to the tractor tank and started it. After coming up to normal operating temp on the gauge, I increased the idle to 2,000 RPM and let it run for about 5 minutes. I didn't drive it, just let it run in the garage under a noload condition.
This morning, after having it on the block heater for 2 hours, it started like normal. Air temp was at least 10 degrees colder than yesterday. With fingers crossed, I took it out of the garage. In less than 20 feet, I was battling the loosing power problem although today, it was more serious than yesterday.
I decided to change the fuel filter element. This is where I ran into a snag in the owner's manual. I was reading the section on how to bleed the air out of the fuel system (see attached photo). The manual instructs you to bleed the air at the fuel filter by opening a screw. The one pointed out in the manual is actually the filter's 12mm mounting bolt (see #3 in figure 182). So of the two screws that are located above the mounting bolt, I don't know which one to open to bleed. I also have doubts as to the bleed screw on the pump now that I've seen the first mistake. At this point in time, I've NOT opened the fuel line system so I've not introduced air into it.
So....that is where I'm at. I'm open to suggestions. I've read the various posts in the forum about foreign objects in the fuel tank such as flies and plastic shavings which blocked the fuel line causing a loss of power. Given the time of year and the symptoms I'm seeing, and the fact that it ran well for the first 3 hours of use, I'm not thinking that is the problem.
If someone could point out which screw is the bleed screw on the filter and the pump, I would appreciate it. I've included photos taken of the manual and of my tractor. Any other suggestions are welcomed. I'm not too crazy about a fuel tank removal to check for objects given the ambient temperature this time of year and an unheated garage.
Worst case scenarios is I call the MF dealer next week and take it to their shop. I'm worried that the problem might not show up once it gets in a warm shop...I don't know.Thanks in advance for any help.
Edit: I should add that this is the 3rd winter season for this tractor since I bought it. As I said above, never had a bit of trouble up until yesterday.
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