The Art of Delivery, fuel'd with questions...?

[IslandTractor]

OK, but how does the air in the fuel bowl get out between uses (after the engine cools)? I don't recall you mentioning that you had to purge the fuel bowl between uses.

 

[TBDonnelly]

OK, but how does the air in the fuel bowl get out between uses (after the engine cools)? I don't recall you mentioning that you had to purge the fuel bowl between uses.

My thought is the air was getting blended with the fuel as it moved through the line (on the next use)........causing mediocre engine performance. I'm noticing increased overall engine performance and loader performance. Kind of like an old horse that was just spared from going to the glue factory.

Don

 

[Gittyup]

Glad you got it fixed, Don. I will keep this thread in mind for future reference.

 

[IslandTractor]

You could fulfill all of Koch's Tractor Postulates by recreating the symptoms and half full fuel bowl by loosening the mounting bolts on your new fuel pump. It may not be worth it and perhaps it is best to just leave it alone so long as it works now but as you did blow out the fuel tank cap I still wonder if that could be the cause. Did the problem recur after the fuel cap was "treated"?

 

[TBDonnelly]

Did the problem recur after the fuel cap was "treated"?

The problem did continue after blowing out the diesel fuel cap with the air gun. Allow me to do some show and tell. I've had the blocked fuel cap issue on my riding lawn mower twice in the past several years. When the vent hole blocked, it pretty much stopped the mower dead in it's tracks. I'm attaching pictures of both the gas(riding mower) and diesel(CK30) fuel caps. They're set up quite differently. The gas fuel cap has a small hole in the top middle of the cap(for picture clarity I've inserted a shortened straight pin in the vent hole). The diesel cap has no hole in the top of the cap. The diesel cap is an umbrella type design and vents from the underside of the cap. The diesel cap appears to have a far greater venting capacity based on the size of the slots and number of vent holes on the bottom of the cap.

I've been out twice with the tractor for about 30 minutes each time. I did not realize how the engine was dragging even on the short runs. The tractor has a newly acquired spring to it's step. So far, things are positive. I'll update as I get more time in on the tractor.

I wanted to thank everyone who took the time to post comments. The TBN braintrust is an amazing group.

Don

 

[TBDonnelly]

Is it smoke & mirrors? Well.... there is smoke but no mirrors.

Had a beautiful fall day here today and took the opportunity to do some late season leaf management. The increased engine performance continues since the install of the new fuel pump. The difference 'before and after' is remarkable. It's like a high energy drink infusion, not for me, but for the tractor.

The smoke part comes from the leaf pile, not the tractor. When the hot compost comes in contact with the cool seasonal air......it's smokin'!

I was really saving on fuel. I could go for months on 5 gallons of diesel.

Don

 

[TBDonnelly]

This increased engine performance has allowed me to forge ahead, really getting 'into' the fall leaf work. Quicker, with more efficiency, thus...saving on fuel! I was working fast and furious (almost breaking a sweat ) when I noticed the temperature gauge, what appeared to be, the needle creeping up. Hmm......... now what could this be?
I better check out the screens......AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHA!

Don

 

[BTI]

Nice "Winter Front" you have going on there Don....

BTI

 

[TBDonnelly]

Nice "Winter Front" you have going on there Don....

BTI

Perhaps some warm compost will keep the chill off the engine through the winter months...........

Don

 

[CowwFace]

Hey TB,

Have you ever thought of running some type of plumbing under that pile and circulating some fluid through it to heat the house?

What do you think the temp in the center of that pile is?

Phill