Tractor Died While Blowing Snow!

[Avenger]

I let the tractor warm up for almost an hour, after all, its -2F outside. I let it idle for about 20 minutes with the block heater plugged in, then revved it up to 15K for the 40 or so more minutes. Everything was functioning fine, while I started work. About 20 minutes into clearing the snow off the road, the tractor started flashing S94 F11 (Fuel Rail Pressure Control Fault), went into limp just before shutting down!

I let the tractor sit there for about 10 minutes or so while I walked to the house to look up the code in the good book.

Frustrated and ticked off, I went back out to start working on it under the glow of my headlamp. I gotta get it running, its blocking the road.

I attempted to start it, and it fired right up! No codes, no issues, full range of RPM. Well, ok! Lets get back to work then!...

Down by the county road, it died again. I tried to start it up again, but it wouldn't stay running. I let it sit for maybe 5 minutes. It fired up and I started up to the house. I gotta park it and figure it out. About 10 seconds later, it died. I let it sit, started it, and drove it another 20 feet. Did this all the way up to the house. All the while thinking about what it could be.

The book says its a fuel rail pressure control fault. The fixes in the book do not make sense for the symptoms of the tractor. I'm leaning towards gelled fuel? Maybe its so cold the treated fuel is gelling, but getting warmed by the engine as it sits, just before sucking up more gel? I havent pulled the fuel filter (its negative 2 and dark right now).

What are your thoughts?

 

[sd455dan]

It could be , but I just finished blowing as well and the temp was similar. My tractor lives outside (always) so it was at ambient. Hope you get it figured out quick.

IT is Darn Cold. Thought I froze my fingers...

Can you see the diesel in your tank through the tank filler?
If clear there, and not gelled , most likely fine in the filter as well.

 

[Cycledude]

probably nothing to do with the issues your experiencing but I’ve been told your supposed to unplug block heater before starting the engine.

Have you been using winter blend fuel ? I would probably try changing the fuel filter and see if that helps.

 

[Yander]

Get some of this in your tank if you haven't already

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB1025?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google_monthly-special_202212&store=23958&campaign=GSC-Promos&campaign_id=6478906937&adgroup_id=78844950918&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-oqdBhDfARIsAO0TrGH-YJyfFMKoXDq1wjL3FOTpbdin0lPnmdR3MVFd-8tRxScdfz1ffIQaAuB1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&

When is the last time you changed the fuel filter?

 

[ruffdog]

Sounds like gelling.

 

[Avenger]

It could be , but I just finished blowing as well and the temp was similar. My tractor lives outside (always) so it was at ambient. Hope you get it figured out quick.

IT is Darn Cold. Thought I froze my fingers...

Yeah, same here. Its nasty cold out!

probably nothing to do with the issues your experiencing but I’ve been told your supposed to unplug block heater before starting the engine.

Have you been using winter blend fuel ? I would probably try changing the fuel filter and see if that helps.

Typically I would, but the block heater I use the most is the magnetic oil tank heater. I figured it wouldnt hurt anything to keep it plugged in and on the engine pan for a few minutes. I ran out there barefoot (too lazy to put boots on) to start the tractor. Didn't feel like unplugging it and rolling up the cord!
The fuel is off-road dyed diesel. Probably not the good winter blended stuff. But I use Power Service white bottle, 1/4c per 5gal, which isn't quite what they recommend for temps under 0.

They recommend using the entire bottle (64oz) for 250gal for temps above 0F and twice that amount for under 0. I have cheap plastic measuring cups in the shop that I use for such things, so I convert oz to cups. 64oz=8 cups. 1oz should be enough for 5 gallons above 0. 3oz for temps below 0. Well, my 1/4c might not be enough. 1/4c = 2oz

Honestly, I really hope its gelling. Because the alternatives right now, really really suck! Its definitely a wakeup call!

 

[Avenger]

Sounds like gelling.

hope your right!

 

[Avenger]

Get some of this in your tank if you haven't already

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB1025?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google_monthly-special_202212&store=23958&campaign=GSC-Promos&campaign_id=6478906937&adgroup_id=78844950918&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-oqdBhDfARIsAO0TrGH-YJyfFMKoXDq1wjL3FOTpbdin0lPnmdR3MVFd-8tRxScdfz1ffIQaAuB1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&

When is the last time you changed the fuel filter?

Yeah, I use that. I have my fuel treated, but I don't think I treated it enough for temps below 0. Probably need the red bottle now.

 

[ruffdog]

Treated fuel is not the same as blended fuel. At those temps, the neighbor would have his fuel at a 60/40 or 50/50 blend between #2 diesel to #1 diesel. After I had a gelling issue, I keep a jug of #1 ready if I start gelling. The dyed fuel is no different that road fuel. The problem is the supplier may not have treated the fuel for this cold snap. I double treated my fuel and will see if I have a problem. If I do, the #1 gets thrown in.

 

[oldnslo]

Avenger
Do you if you have pure diesel or bio-diesel? My experience bio will gell much sooner than pure diesel.

filters are frequently point of gelling so I have wrapped filters in a manner that protected them from fan blast and kept engine heat around them