TC30 Loss of Power

[WannaNH]

My nearly 1 year old TC30 doesn't seem to be running right. A few days ago, when it was 15-20 degrees it took forever to crank. Once it cranked it seemed to run rough. I let it idle awhile and it got a little smoother.

When I put her in 2nd Medium range, it started rolling, but bogged down. I usually set the RPMs for 2000 and can start off in 2nd or 3rd medium and it takes right off. Now it bogs down to about 1100 RPM and then comes back up. If I've got a load, I have to step on the accelerator to get it back to 2K. Once there it seems to hold fine on level ground, but going up a slight hill bogs it down again.

I've been using a 7 tine tillage tool that I ran last fall in 2M and it can't pull it now. I'm using 2 or 3 low.

After this started, I did the 100 hour oil and filter change. The fuel filter was nasty, but the new one is clean after 5 hours. I've also bled the fuel line and drained the fuel filter body twice more.

Any ideas? Guess I could take it in under warranty, but that requires lining up a trailer.

 

[TCBoomer]

air filter?

 

[MikePA]

air filter?

I agree. The last time I changed the air filters, I didn't put one of them on exactly right and my TC25D ran rough, black smoke, no power, etc. Pulled the air filter off, re-seated it (I think it was the inner one) and all was well.

I have to step on the accelerator to get it back to 2K.

You know the treadle is not an accelerator, right? If the engine bogs, stepping on the treadle will make things worse.

 

[WannaNH]

I had changed the outer air filter when I changed the oil and oil & fuel filter. All seemed OK with both the air filters and it was doing it before and after I changed it.

I posted the message then ate some lunch. I went back out there and it seems to be running fine at the present. The fuels getting low, so I wonder if it's a bad tank of fuel? I'll get some new fuel and see what happens when I fill it back up. Seems like it would run bad at all times.

I sometimes hate machinery when it does stuff like this!

Randy

 

[TCBoomer]

I had changed the outer air filter when I changed the oil and oil & fuel filter. All seemed OK with both the air filters and it was doing it before and after I changed it.

I posted the message then ate some lunch. I went back out there and it seems to be running fine at the present. The fuels getting low, so I wonder if it's a bad tank of fuel? I'll get some new fuel and see what happens when I fill it back up. Seems like it would run bad at all times.

I sometimes hate machinery when it does stuff like this!

Randy

How ~low~ was low? Not a good idea to run less than 1/4 tank (IMO) on any equipment, especially a diesel. Good chance you'll suck up some crud at the bottom of the tank. You mentioned "The fuel filter was nasty", so that may have been what you saw.

Also at 15-20 degrees, the fuel may have started to gel and that would contribute, if not cause a similar condition.

 

[housemasters]

I don't believe there a fuel pump on it and the diesel flows by gravity only. I sometimes bog down when going up hills and its only when fuel is low. I'm putting and electric fuel pump on it for this reason.

 

[TCBoomer]

I don't believe there a fuel pump on it and the diesel flows by gravity only. I sometimes bog down when going up hills and its only when fuel is low. I'm putting and electric fuel pump on it for this reason.

Unless you put a baffle in the fuel tank, you won't gain anything. Whether it be gravity fed or pump fed, without any baffle, a low fuel level will slosh around enough to uncover the tank outlet and still allow air to enter the inj pump. Operating on a slope with a low fuel level is just asking for trouble IMO.

I'd also be hesitant to install a pressure pump on a system that was designed for a gravity fed inj pump. Have you given any thought about how to deal with any excess fuel that the elec pump will create?

 

[FULLPULL]

I would run a fuel additive in it sounds like a fuel gel problem . It should run better after that. I have been using Power Service brand but any anti gel should work.

 

[Soundguy]

Was she smoking when she was boggin down?

soundguy

 

[jbrumberg]

At 15 to 20 degrees untreated ULSD will start to cloud up and gell without an additive. It does sound like and air and/or fuel problem. Jay