Older 3325 running rough. Water in fuel maybe?

[bbse]

The problem started some time back when when I was cutting at steep angles on hills. It would start missing and puffing some smoke. As soon as I got on level ground and revved it some it would clear up. I just got to cutting this year with the last of the fuel I had over the winter. It got worse on the hills and now it it starting to do it on level ground but worse when I am moving and bouncing around. I am thinking I have contaminated fuel. It revs up to 2500 rpm but misses, sputters and blows unburned fuel .....but I am not sure. Is there a non alcohol additive I could try? I am a truck driver and I have to head out tomorrow so I will not be able to work on it till first of next week. Luckily it still runs but power is down.

 

[jaxs]

Most additives are for maintenance, a few are preventive and non are a cure. If you suspect that much water,drain the tank, examine what comes out and go from there. Don't you have a water separator that can be drained? If not,this is as good a time as any to install one.

 

[RjCorazza]

I had a fuel delivery problem on a diesel mower several years ago that started with sputtering on hills, and progressed to stalling out on flat ground. I replaced the fuel, blew the lines out, replaced filters, added an additional 2u filter and auxiliary 12v lift pump.

It was NOT blowing black smoke, which sounds more like an injector issue to me. I would start by checking for water in the tank or separator if it has one. Drain some fuel from the bottom of the tank and see what you have in there.