Tractor Not Running for Blizzard Help!!!

[pat32rf]

Might also be electrical. Is the seat switch ok?(Check for snow build up. If this is the problem it will start but die when you hit the go pedal, or a bump) How about the solenoid for the fuel pump. Don't know what part of the country you are in but we burn a product in all non highway vehicles known as "dyed diesel" here in Central Ontario. It is also sold as stove oil and used for furnace oil when the tank is outside. Barring water (condensation) in the tank it never seems to cause a filter problem, even at 30 below(Cent)

 

[JimR]

Do you have an air compressor? Pull the filter and wash it out with gas. Blow the filter dry with air. Pour a gallon or so of kerosene as mentioned into your tank to thin out the diesel.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Mike, just a suggestion, but if your engine block heater is thermostatically controlled, then let it run longer than an hour. When we park our diesels, we plug them in and leave them plugged in until the next time they are used.

A cold engine contains a lot of mass, a typical block heater heats part of the engine, it will very likely take several hours to warm most of it. However, if your block heater is a simple heater then I would not plug it in and leave it, but I would run it for a couple hours.

 

[GoodGuy]

Mike...
Beside the fuel filter there is a petcock valve that when you turn it, it will drain the tank through a hose to a container. For the cost of a few gallons of diesel, maybe it's not a bad idea to add fresh fuel & conditioner.

 

[JerryG]

Powerservice makes a product that is call Powerservice 911. If you can get a bottle, fill your filter up with it and then dump the rest in your tank. Start it up and go. It will take care of the problem.

 

[Mikek101]

So it seems that my disel froze up in the fuel lines. I took 4 halogen lights and placed them around the engine and covered the tractor with a tarp. I let this sit for 4 hours, it was also very sunny today. The tractor started up on the first try and ran without problems. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Thanks for everyones help.

 

[markie61]

Better start using an additive like Powerservice. It will remove water and lowers the diesel gel point.
Mark

 

[johnday]

Also, get yourself a quart of Meltdown for the next time it gels up. Forgetfullness can happen to anyone. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Meltdown can be had at most truck stops. I don't know whats in it, but it'll clear jelled fuel pretty quick. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> So it seems that my disel froze up in the fuel lines. I took 4 halogen lights and placed them around the engine and covered the tractor with a tarp. I let this sit for 4 hours, it was also very sunny today. The tractor started up on the first try and ran without problems. </font>


Mike, we've had semi-trucks freeze in our docks and our truck fleet freeze up the same way. The fuel line seems to be the most vulnerable. We keep a "torpedo" heater (sometimes called a "salamander") here to thaw the trucks out in exactly the same way you did. Toss a large tarp over the entire cab of the truck and blow in hot air until the things thaw out . . . THEN WE TREAT THE FUEL . . . AGAIN!

Good to see you up and running!

 

[RalphVa]

Do you or your wife have an old hair dryer? That ought to work pretty good, probably better than the flood lamps and maybe less chance of burning something.

I'd put some kero in the tank, too.

Ralph