Mahindra 4530 problems

[Kbaer]

I just purchased a Mahinda 4530 from Iowa. Though the tractor had a mixed blend, it acted as if the fuel was gelled when I started it here in North Dakota the next morning. It had been below zero that night. I added fuel treatment, let it idle for a long time and it then began to run alright. I parked it in a heated shop for the day and then drove it home. It had about a half tank of the mixed diesel so I added eight more gallons of number 1. The tractor ran fine for the first six miles but then began to spit and sputter at higher RPM's when I got home and began to move snow. Outside temp was approx 13 degrees. Any suggestions?

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Does the tractor run fine at lower RPMs? I think maybe you are experiencing 2 problems, one being fuel gelling, but the other may be a timing issue.

 

[Kbaer]

After coming out of a warm building, it ran fine but about 40 minutes later it started to cough and miss at higher RPM and then at the lower RPMs as well. I spoke with the Mahindra dealer I purchased it from and he suggested I use Diesel 911 so will give that a shot.

 

[Kbaer]

I had the tractor in a garage that must have gotten above freezing as there was melted snow on the floor. I added the diesel 911 to the tank and let it sit for about 20 minutes and then started and let it idle for another 10 minutes outside. The outside temp was -2. The tractor ran really good for about 20 minutes then began to spit and sputter and run terrible.
I noticed several things though. Is there supposed to be air bubbles in the water separator? Also I noticed that the fuel line from the tank to the separator is very cracked as is the line from the separator running to the first filter.

 

[rgc53]

I believe you have water in your fuel filters !
my 4530 tractor acted the same way last year, i
changed the filters and the engine ran much better after.
The engine is starting to sputter again at high RPM "s
time for new filters.
When you change the filters , change them 1 at a time
above the filter housing their is a primer pump , turn the knob
counterclock wise and pump until you feel resistance , start
the tractor and let it run for a minute . Repeat for the
second filter !
This primer pump is a nice feature !

RGC

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I believe you have water in your fuel filters !
my 4530 tractor acted the same way last year, i
changed the filters and the engine ran much better after.
The engine is starting to sputter again at high RPM "s
time for new filters.
When you change the filters , change them 1 at a time
above the filter housing their is a primer pump , turn the knob
counterclock wise and pump until you feel resistance , start
the tractor and let it run for a minute . Repeat for the
second filter !
This primer pump is a nice feature !

RGC

Dumb question: Does't the 4530 have drain plugs at the bottom of each fuel filter? My 6000 does...ie all you would have to do is slowly drain all the "water" out of each filter rather than change the filters...PS that "cracked" line that was mentioned sounds weird to me....BobG in VA

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

It sounds like you don't have a timing problem as I thought you might. The cracked lines, I'm not sure what you mean, but if you do indeed have a cracked line, I would think it would leak and you would see that. You have some good suggestions here, as you probably do have some water in the system. If you can get the tractor into some heat for a while the filter draining may work fine, but if you are out in the cold, I think the filter replacement would be the better choice. Good luck and let us know how things work out.

 

[Kbaer]

Thank you all for the information. I'll get a photo of the hoses to show what I'm talking about. The new filters should arrive today or tomorrow so will give that a shot.
Where do I find the location mentioned in the owners manual to drain water and debris from the fuel tank?
Once again thanks for the advice it is very much appreciated.

 

[rback33]

Thank you all for the information. I'll get a photo of the hoses to show what I'm talking about. The new filters should arrive today or tomorrow so will give that a shot.
Where do I find the location mentioned in the owners manual to drain water and debris from the fuel tank?
Once again thanks for the advice it is very much appreciated.

I think what they mean by draining the water was out of the filter bowl or however it's set up. I don't know exactly how the Mahindra's are set up, but I have seen a lot of them with a little petcock in the bottom that you open to do drain them. I will look on the 6030 outside and see how it is done.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I'd check for a stuck thermostat in addition - that might explain why the machine runs fine when warm, but as it cools doesn't do so well. As to the fuel lines - are they cracked, or just showing some checking - which would imply no leak, but still a need to replace soon.

 

[Kbaer]

I think I have eliminated the fuel as a problem. I changed both filters. Tractor ran great until it warmed up to around 140 degrees then the same problem. Think the problem is with the timing advancement sensor.

 

[cdover73]

Dumb question: Does't the 4530 have drain plugs at the bottom of each fuel filter? My 6000 does...ie all you would have to do is slowly drain all the "water" out of each filter rather than change the filters...PS that "cracked" line that was mentioned sounds weird to me....BobG in VA

Yes, the 4530 has 10mm bolts on the bottom of the fuel filter canisters that allow you to drain them.

 

[Kbaer]

Well it turns out I had several problems. Problem number one was bacteria in the fuel system. Solution was having the tank and fuel system flushed and then adding anti-bacterial (my dime since the dealer said Mahindra doesn't cover fuel issues and they won't admit that the tractor had the bacteria when it left the dealership even though I told him the next day that I saw some black sludge in the water separator). After doing this the tractor would run great for 20 minutes (I timed it) and then start missing and sputtering. If the tractor was turned off and restarted it would then run great again for 20 minutes and same thing. At this time the Mahindra rep finally agreed it was a timing issue. I did notice the colder the outside temp the worse the problem. At sub-zero temps the engine would miss extremely bad but as the outside temp warms up the missing and sputtering comes less apparent.

 

[MDM]

Why all of these timing issues? This is one of several I have read about on TBN with these Mahindras. Does it have something to do with the climate being different from where the machines were manufactered? I just don't understand the what causes a machine to be out of time?

I worry about bacteria cause I store my fuel in a 55 gal drum. I can't seem to find any type of anti-bacteria additive locally. I use a Mr. Funnel when I transfer from fuel drum to tractor, and I haven't noticed any bacteria yet.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Why all of these timing issues? This is one of several I have read about on TBN with these Mahindras. Does it have something to do with the climate being different from where the machines were manufactered? I just don't understand the what causes a machine to be out of time?

I worry about bacteria cause I store my fuel in a 55 gal drum. I can't seem to find any type of anti-bacteria additive locally. I use a Mr. Funnel when I transfer from fuel drum to tractor, and I haven't noticed any bacteria yet.

I think the timing sensitivity is because of a warmup issue. Timing is advanced for several minutes after starting. Then, when it retards, the diesel is very subject to cold stacking unless the engine has warmed to the operating range. I find it difficult to keep mine warm enuf in cold weather to prevent this, and a minor bump up of timing helps. I would sure like to see them use a better thermostat. - My Kubota diesels dont have this problem.
larry

 

[Kab35601]

I just purchased a Mahinda 4530 from Iowa. Though the tractor had a mixed blend, it acted as if the fuel was gelled when I started it here in North Dakota the next morning. It had been below zero that night. I added fuel treatment, let it idle for a long time and it then began to run alright. I parked it in a heated shop for the day and then drove it home. It had about a half tank of the mixed diesel so I added eight more gallons of number 1. The tractor ran fine for the first six miles but then began to spit and sputter at higher RPM's when I got home and began to move snow. Outside temp was approx 13 degrees. Any suggestions?

I have a tier 4 that did the same thing here in Alabama. The problem was confirmed by bleeding the fuel filter. If the bleeding is successful (and if it is, it will only be for a short time) the root cause is an in-tank screen at the fuel petcock. This requires draining the fuel tank and removing the fuel petcock. The screen is about 8 X 50mm and is screwed to the petcock body. I used carburator cleaner and a tooth brush to clean mine. Note: the first time I bled the system it ran good for about a week. After that it deteriorated rapidly until it only ran well for about 10 minutes. Considering the problem you already discovered with the fuel this is my educated guess.

K. Brown

 

[Sue Teat]

I have a 2006 Mahindra 6000 tractor and when I pull a bushhog or baler it loses RPMs. I changed the filters and I blew out the fuel line. The RPM's increased from 1000 to 1700 but it still does not have the power it needs and it is blowing blue smoke. Any suggestions.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Your problem could be debris in the fuel tank, blocking the outlet. I have seen that problem more than once.

 

[Sue Teat]

Your problem could be debris in the fuel tank, blocking the outlet. I have seen that problem more than once.

We have blown out the fuel tank again and still no power when pulling bushhog, rake or baler. I have decided this Mahindra may be the worst tractor I have ever owned. I just bought it a few weeks ago and it has very few hours on it & it looks like new. I have yet to finish a job with it that has not taken twice as long as it should. Since I have never owned a Mahindra before, is it common to have all these problems with one? The dealer I brought it from will not even talk about fixing it since I bought it as used.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a 2006 Mahindra 6000 tractor and when I pull a bushhog or baler it loses RPMs. I changed the filters and I blew out the fuel line. The RPM's increased from 1000 to 1700 but it still does not have the power it needs and it is blowing blue smoke. Any suggestions.

What do you mean the rpm increased from 1000 to 1700. What load? What was the idle/no load rpm set at? Did advancing the throttle manually help to hold set speed?
larry