Starting/Fuel Problem TC33D

jbman45 · Mar 30, 2009

This may be a question that applies to any of the blue diesel engines? Twice now my TC33D wouldn't start, has started like a clock since new, never a problem. Finally determined it just isn't getting fuel, then finally both times after waiting, some cranking, etc it'll start but you can tell it's not getting enough fuel, then eventually gets going ok. Last time it did this I checked power all the way to the fuel shut off solenoid and that's ok; changed fuel filter-was ok. Opened the bleed screw and interestingly it took awhile for fuel to come out?? Then started ok.

So, it seems I'm getting air entrainment in the line now; but never have before. Fuel tank over half full; glass fuel filter globe full; not really run real hot prior to shutdown.

Any of you seen a similiar problem; what I'm worried about of course is it's a sign of something going bad, hopefully nothing with the injector pump! Is this an early sign of failure? Any ideas....thanks guys...

jinman · Mar 30, 2009

I would check the gas cap to make sure it is venting properly. The next time you have a fuel feed problem, remove the gas cap and see if the problem continues. On these systems, everything is gravity fed, so there is no way for air to get into the system. Any leaking fitting should be oozing fuel instead.

jbman45 · Mar 30, 2009

Thanks Jinman, good idea. and wanted to thank ya anyway...had a temp gauge problem, replaced the sender which checked bad and although I had the manuals (and have worked on 'stuff' for years) I was attacking the temp gauge from the rear until your note with the photos made it click in my head the darn thing just plugs onto the circuit board and you don't have to take the board off the back. Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees I guess; so thanks for that old note it really helped as well.

SteveInMD · Mar 30, 2009

I had a similar sounding problem with a diesel one time. It turned out to be a fuel pump going bad. It would only pump fuel intermittently.

WTA · Apr 1, 2009

I would pump out your tank first then take it down and clean it good. The fuel pickup tube on these tractors is a really crappy design. One dead fly and it will plug it up.
If that doesn't get it then it's probably the fuel pump. My local dealer kept blaming my stalling problem on dirty fuel but after the tank came off three separate times to clean it by me and the dealer it still did the same as yours is doing. I finally insisted on replacing the fuel pump and amazingly it was fixed. I thought it was bad in the beginning but the service manager dismissed my feeling right off. My 30 years diesel experience doesn't count for much with him I guess.

That pump only cost 22 bucks BTW. Oh, I went and modified a strainer sock onto the bottom of my pickup tube too. After the warranty ran out.

My dealer here tried to blame my problem on dirty fuel right to the end, even after the fuel pump fixed it. They even claimed to pull a handful of dead bugs and dirt out of my tank. The only way all that mess could have got in there was during the three months it spent in their shop though. Still I have a sock on the pickup now. It does need it.