Oil & Fuel Ran out of fuel -- Could I have air in line?

[BurningBushFarm]

Hi guys --

I've been quiet because I've been bush hogging (6 acres done. Wonderful!)

I can't tell you how great it is to mow through the feral florabunda (multiflora) and blackberries -- vicious plants they are -- and leave their remains laying shredded behind me...

That being said ... I was coming in today and was making a last pass through an area the horses won't eat. It was on a slight rise and a bit sloped. I believe I ran out of fuel

It died on me but made noises like it wanted to start....

There was only a little fuel in the tank and I am wondering if I managed to suck some air as I wasn't on the flat.

Hubby added about a gallon before he ran off for something he had to do and I could not get it started.

What think ye, wise ones?

 

[Scotty Dive]

Oh boy...I think I can answer this one. I changed my fuel filter and fluids for the first time on my tractor this weekend. There are two screws on the filter housing near the fuel shut off that need to be bled. there is also a screw or push screw with spring on the injector pump - you can find the injector pump by following the fuel line from the filter to the injector pump. This one needs to be bled too. Make sure your tank is full and bleed those three places until no bubbles are present and try to restart. Just be cautious of your starter ...don't crank it over for too long and give it a while to cool down before re cranking.

 

[rmully]

You probably have air in the lines. You will need to bleed the system. Look for information on Hoye Tractor as he has a good step by step. Good luck and do not take any shortcuts

 

[Old Hillbilly]

I agree with rmully...you will most likely have to bleed the system. I have a 650 John Deere - Yanmar and have run it out of fuel many times over the 30+ years I have had it. If I ever heard it sputter, there was no doubt....I had to bleed it...except for one time in the dead of winter when I was scraping my driveway in high winds on a very cold day. It sputtered...I checked the tank and saw real quick what it was. I ran home, got some fuel, and poured it in. Then I asked the good Lord to PLEASE let this thing start just this once without me having to bleed it out in weather like this. It started right up...never did it before and has never done it since.

 

[California]

There are three air bleeder screws in the fuel lines.

One at the input on top of the fuel filter, another right next to it at the outlet, and a third down on the injector pump on the side of the engine.

Open each bleeder screw until pure fuel runs out, one at a time, in that sequence.

That's all it takes.

 

[YannyMan]

Scotty, all you should have to do for a fuel filter change is the two bleeders on top of the filter housing. I've done both of my tractors 2x for the filters and that's all they've needed. This of course, provides you turned your fuel shutoff before you opened the filter housing.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I thought so too, but it would not start after repeated bleeds of the filter screws. Fired right up after bleeding the injector pumo though...

 

[Old Hillbilly]

I must be the most unlucky person in the world because I have never been able to bleed the air out unless I take the fuel lines loose at the injectors and crank it over until I see a solid stream of fuel with each pulse of the pump.

 

[YannyMan]

I thought so too, but it would not start after repeated bleeds of the filter screws. Fired right up after bleeding the injector pumo though...

My guess, I guess for both of you, is that your fuel shutoff valve is allowing air to get through it, even when "off". Or, your system has some sort of vacuum that pulls all the fuel out of the lines even after the valve is shut and engine is off.

 

[stormpetrel]

Hi guys --

I've been quiet because I've been bush hogging (6 acres done. Wonderful!)

I can't tell you how great it is to mow through the feral florabunda (multiflora) and blackberries -- vicious plants they are -- and leave their remains laying shredded behind me...

That being said ... I was coming in today and was making a last pass through an area the horses won't eat. It was on a slight rise and a bit sloped. I believe I ran out of fuel

It died on me but made noises like it wanted to start....

There was only a little fuel in the tank and I am wondering if I managed to suck some air as I wasn't on the flat.

Hubby added about a gallon before he ran off for something he had to do and I could not get it started.

What think ye, wise ones?

I think I've been missing this forum!! Been very busy, been away......but it's time to dig the tractor out of the barn and get her fired up!!!

On the fuel bleeding; start from the the filter, work your way toward the injector nozzle. You can use the compression release to save the battery and speed the process. As soon as you see a steady stream of fuel, tighten the screw/nut. Go on to the next one, ending with the injector nuts. Usually the engine will fire up before you can even tighten the nuts once you see fuel coming from 'em. Good luck!!!