TL 2101 fuel system

[benniewad]

I ran out of fuel. Tried to replace the fuel filter, could not find a new one, so installed an in-line and replaced the empty bowl. opened the bleed screws on the old filter housing, opened the fuel valve. Then opened the banjo fitting on the injector pump. Fuel bled up to the pump. Then loosened the nuts at each injector. Cranked the engine untill fuel seeped at the injectors. Still wont start.....Used a shot of starter fluid and got a couple of pops but no start. I have bled this thing for 2 days with no success. I have searched this site and tried the suggestions that I found...no luck. Does anyone have a suggestion? My poor tactor. I think it is ruined.:mur:

 

[BillS2009]

Right from the book:
1. confirm fuel valve is open
2. loosen two (2) air bleeding screws on the fuel filter and bleed air. Then tighten securely
3. loosen the eye bolt on the injection pump to bleed air, then tighten securely
4. loosen the air bleeding screw on the injection pump to bleed air then tighten.

The filters are available from Sheafer's Town and Country Tractors.
815-284-3226

I had to bleed mine several times before it would start. Then it ran rough for a few minutes and then cleared up.

 

[benniewad]

Thank you for the response BILLS2009. I will resume the effort. I guess that the injector lines are just not totally clear yet.

 

[BillS2009]

Well, did it start?

 

[benniewad]

nope! she don't run. not even a pop. The starter spins over. chug chug chug. The injectors spit fuel like they are getting fuel. The exhaust pipe seems to have pulses like the engine is pumping air, but no running. I may have ruined the engine with starting fluid.....maybe a bent connecting rod, I don't know. maybe not enough compression. I will try to update with results as time goes on. my next step is to pull the injectors. The glow plugs will be next, but I have to remove the injector pump to access two of the plugs.

Ben

 

[284 International]

How much starting fluid did you use? If you sprayed a lot down the intake, there's a good chance things are broken.

If you only gave it a tiny whiff, and nothing was damaged, all that has happened is your tractor ran out of fuel, nothing is damaged or wrecked. You have bled the system; were there bubbles coming out, or just a steady stream of fuel? Bleed it at each port, as in Bill's instructions, until pure, clean, non-bubbly fuel is coming through.

Once that is all through, advance the throttle to full power, loosen the injector hard lines (You don't need to take them off, plus, sometimes they get mixed up for sequence) and crank the engine. Make sure all three lines are moving fuel in equal quantities, without bubbles. It may take a good amount of cranking (up to 30 seconds, in my experience) to purge all the air.

A volt or ammeter will tell you if the glow plugs are working, without having to pull them. Make sure they have some current. The couple tractors I've got with glow plugs get warm enough to determine functionality just by touch, so that may be an option. It's improbable that all three glow plugs failed just because you ran out of fuel.

Get a battery booster or your vehicle, and fully charge your battery on the tractor. Pull the cables off and clean the terminals on the cables and battery well, and make sure the starter motor's wiring looks snug. While it's charging, and you're working on it, leave the thing out in the sun, with the hood up, to get the engine nice and warm before trying anything. Run the glow plugs for 30 to 45 seconds, and with the battery booster/jumper cables attached, attempt to start the engine.

With the additional amperage of the helper power source (whether jumper cables or a charger on "start") the engine should turn over very quickly. You should see smoke, at the least, but I'll be surprised if it doesn't fire within a few turns.

If you can't even get smoke, something is wrong. You'll know if the tractor has reasonably close compression by listening to it. If it sounds about like normal, then there is sufficient compression to at least cause smoke. If it doesn't smoke, it is possible that there is damage to the injectors, but a simple, one-time running out of fuel shouldn't harm them.

Good luck!

 

[bcb]

did u put the stop lever back

 

[benniewad]

Bills2009, 284 International, and bcd.
Thanks for the responses. i have tried to bleed the system many times. I am sure the the air is purged. fuel seems to seep from the injectors, no foam. I have used a battery charger to maintain charge and it spins ok. I can feel the pulses from the exhaust pipe,but still no smoke. The glow plugs do get hot to the touch. I have resigned my self to the fact that I ruined the engine. I will use my backup machine to mow and I promise never, ever,ever, to use starting fluid again. I knew it was not a good idea but had witnessed many times the application of ether at construction sites and even some of my old time friends used it on their tractors.
anyway, I did pull one injector and it looked ok (untrained eye). I screwed in on to the line and cranked the engine there was a spray, so it seemed to work. This process will continue.
My next step will be to pull the head and check the valves and pistons. I should be able to see the piston travel and measure each one. if they do not all travel the same distance in the bore then something is wrong below. If an engine rebuild is required, then I have no one to blame but myself.
I will either post a picture if myself mowing the pasture, or submit a request for pricing on engine parts.

 

[BillS2009]

Not trying to be insulting, but as BCB asked...you did push the stop lever (cable) back in?

 

[benniewad]

oh, yes that was one item that I checked. I even removed the intake pipe to examine the butterfy to confirm that it was open. No offense taken by these remarks, I am pretty slow on the uptake so every bit of advise is appreciated.