Losing power, then it comes back

[EddieWalker]

I'm having some issues with power loss. I'll be out mowing just fine with everything working perfectly, then the engine drops down to a rough idle. Surging up and down. I disconnect the PTO and take it out of gear and wait a couple of minutes. While this is happening, nothing happens when I push down on the peddle. It's like there isn't any fuel getting there and it's starving to get enough fuel to keep idling. Then everything comes back to normal and I'm back to mowing until the next time. This seems to be happening every ten to 45 minutes.

A couple years ago I replaced my mechanical fuel pump with a Mr Gasket electric diesel fuel pump. If it was the fuel pump, wouldn't it be constant? I'm at a loss why it happens, then starts working again on it's own.

I'm going to replace the filter, but also question how it could cause the problem, then work again without me doing anything?

This is on my Century 2535. But I doubt it has anything to do with brand.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[deerefan]

I'm having some issues with power loss. I'll be out mowing just fine with everything working perfectly, then the engine drops down to a rough idle. Surging up and down. I disconnect the PTO and take it out of gear and wait a couple of minutes. While this is happening, nothing happens when I push down on the peddle. It's like there isn't any fuel getting there and it's starving to get enough fuel to keep idling. Then everything comes back to normal and I'm back to mowing until the next time. This seems to be happening every ten to 45 minutes.

A couple years ago I replaced my mechanical fuel pump with a Mr Gasket electric diesel fuel pump. If it was the fuel pump, wouldn't it be constant? I'm at a loss why it happens, then starts working again on it's own.

I'm going to replace the filter, but also question how it could cause the problem, then work again without me doing anything?

This is on my Century 2535. But I doubt it has anything to do with brand.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Eddie

Sounds fuel related. Definitely replace the filter, as particles can "float" around then become a blockage when settling over smooth terrain. Also check the fuel tank for any trash where the fuel line ties in. also check all o-rings, you could possibly be taking in a small amount of air, especially at the filter.

 

[charlz]

Is the filter before or after the pump? If it is before and not passing enough fuel it might be starving the pump.

 

[Billrog]

Eddie since it's an electric fuel pump there may be a poor connection, maybe the ground ??

 

[AaronS]

My money is on a fuel filter. I used to have similar experiences with a Kubota BX2200. It had 2 fuel filters, so check to make sure how many your Century has.

 

[EddieWalker]

Is the filter before or after the pump? If it is before and not passing enough fuel it might be starving the pump.

There is one filter before the pp that screws into.the pump, and then there is an extra in line filter after the pump. I'm going to replace both of them first and blow out the fuel line with air. The tank is plastic, so I dont have a rust issue like I do in my other tractors. I'm guessing that if this doesn't work, next is to replace the pump. I'll double check the wiring first, but I don't see how a loose wire will fix itself after two minutes of sitting still every rime it happens.

Thanks
Eddie

 

[moriboy]

Another thing to check is that the fuel cap is venting properly. As you use fuel, you could possibly creating a bit of a vacuum in the tank which can make the pump work harder getting fuel to the injection pump.

 

[farmer2009]

Eddie. Do you have steel lines or rubber? Rubber lines can separate and cause this same problem. Also as said fuel filters can do it to.
What it sounds like is something is letting some fuel through and your usage gets ahead of it. Then you idle down and it's more flow than you are using so it seams to go away. Sediment in tank, fuel filters and collapsed rubber hoses can all give these same symptoms.

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie. Do you have steel lines or rubber? Rubber lines can separate and cause this same problem. Also as said fuel filters can do it to.
What it sounds like is something is letting some fuel through and your usage gets ahead of it. Then you idle down and it's more flow than you are using so it seams to go away. Sediment in tank, fuel filters and collapsed rubber hoses can all give these same symptoms.

I didn't think of the hoses, but if my memory is correct, there was some issues with the hoses when I converted it to the electric fuel pump. Just to cover my bases, I will buy some fuel line too.

Thanks
Eddie

 

[JRobyn]

Consider the possibility of a semi-floating glob of algae in the tank. Does it do it any less with a full tank? When mine did this, I confirmed it by pulling the fuel line coming from the tank and directing it into a clean 5 gal bucket. Would flow great for a bit and then nearly stop. Never saw much evidence in the filter.

- Jay

 

[Looking4new]

I would look at the cheapest and easiest solution first, (the lazy in me dictates this) look at the fuel cap and whether or not it is venting properly.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm having some issues with power loss. I'll be out mowing just fine with everything working perfectly, then the engine drops down to a rough idle. Surging up and down. I disconnect the PTO and take it out of gear and wait a couple of minutes. While this is happening, nothing happens when I push down on the peddle. It's like there isn't any fuel getting there and it's starving to get enough fuel to keep idling. Then everything comes back to normal and I'm back to mowing until the next time. This seems to be happening every ten to 45 minutes.

A couple years ago I replaced my mechanical fuel pump with a Mr Gasket electric diesel fuel pump. If it was the fuel pump, wouldn't it be constant? I'm at a loss why it happens, then starts working again on it's own.

I'm going to replace the filter, but also question how it could cause the problem, then work again without me doing anything?

This is on my Century 2535. But I doubt it has anything to do with brand.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Eddie

I think the pleats on the filter are closing up due to the pressure across the filter under hi fuel fiow. ... Then they open back up as it idles. Repeat.

 

[SPIKER]

Dont forget the Air Filter, as one item to look at. Do you have any noticeable un burnt fuel or low/hi fuel consumption>? That can help trace it down.

Mouse nest maybe too...

look for some screens in the banjo fittings and fuel ports for blockage as well.

M

 

[EddieWalker]

I replaced the fuel lines and filters. I blew through all of them and they had no restriction at all. So then I checked the wiring on the fuel pump, which looked perfect. I then tried to fill up the new secondary fuel filter, which is a Wix clear plastic model, and it wouldn't work properly. I went online and looked at another Mr Gasket electric diesel fuel pump since they are $58 at the auto parts store. The reviews on Amazon are pretty bad, which is kind of what I'm experiencing with it. This is my second Mr Gasket fuel pump that I'm throwing away. The best reviews on Amazon where for the Airtex electric fuel pump. It's not rated for diesel, but a few people on there say they use it on their diesel engines with good results, so for half the cost of the Mr Gasket, I'm going to give it a try.

Eddie

 

[3930dave]

I replaced the fuel lines and filters. I blew through all of them and they had no restriction at all. So then I checked the wiring on the fuel pump, which looked perfect. I then tried to fill up the new secondary fuel filter, which is a Wix clear plastic model, and it wouldn't work properly. I went online and looked at another Mr Gasket electric diesel fuel pump since they are $58 at the auto parts store. The reviews on Amazon are pretty bad, which is kind of what I'm experiencing with it. This is my second Mr Gasket fuel pump that I'm throwing away. The best reviews on Amazon where for the Airtex electric fuel pump. It's not rated for diesel, but a few people on there say they use it on their diesel engines with good results, so for half the cost of the Mr Gasket, I'm going to give it a try.

Eddie

If that doesn't work out for you Eddie, keep in mind that early 90's diesel pickups often had frame mounted lift-pumps.

Ex. a 92 Chev 1 ton. Don't know how the flow rate compares to what you need, and you may need some fitting adapters, but just wanted to bring up that option.

Rgds, D.

 

[JSanders10]

I had a similar situation last weekend on my MF231.
I replaced the fuel filter last fall.

Out bushhogging the first time last weekend and I lost power to an idle a couple times, and then finally to nothing.

I got out and opened the fuel valve 4-5 more turns and hit the manual finger lift pump a few times. Turned over the ignition about a minute and it started fine. All has been well since with about four more hours use, no problems.

 

[EddieWalker]

Amazon.com: Airtex E8016S: Automotive

The filter came in on a Monday and it was really simple to install. I wasn't sure if it would work for a diesel engine, but I received several replies from people on Amazon that said they used it on their tractors and it worked great. I've had it on there for 15 hours now and its working perfectly. No power loss and it even seems like I have a little more power. Everything seems smoother in the engine to me.

It might have been the filters or the hoses, but I really think it was the fuel pump.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[Looking4new]

I'm happy to see you got it resolved. Now get to work!

 

[farmer2009]

Glad you have it fixed.

 

[Billrog]

Real good to hear your up and running Eddie :thumbsup: