Fuel issue

   / Fuel issue #1  

Bdawg22

New member
Joined
Mar 29, 2025
Messages
14
Tractor
JD 4310
I have a JD 4310 that doesn’t seem to be getting enough fuel to start. It will start if I use starter fluid. After running a while if it gets below 2000 rpms it will die. So I cannot idle it down very much am if I put too much load on it then it goes below 2000 and dies. I have to use starter fluid to get it restarted.
I have disconnected lines and checked flow and have changed the filter. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
 
   / Fuel issue #2  
I'd start by blowing compressed air through the fuel lines, somewhat gently, to clear any obstructions. I've also seen where the fuel return lines being plugged will do that as well. That being said, if the injector pump is being fed fuel well, and with the injectors able to return the excess fuel back to the fuel tank, then your injector pump isn't pressuring up the fuel for the injectors until it get some RPM's. May need a rebuild, but that's my gut instinct.
 
   / Fuel issue #3  
I have a JD 4310 that doesn’t seem to be getting enough fuel to start. It will start if I use starter fluid. After running a while if it gets below 2000 rpms it will die. So I cannot idle it down very much am if I put too much load on it then it goes below 2000 and dies. I have to use starter fluid to get it restarted.
I have disconnected lines and checked flow and have changed the filter. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
Once you've covered all the bases, filters, screens, lines, ETC and it still seems starved for fuel, it could be the lift pump. Often if I suspect that I will substitute an electric pump in its place. Just hang it on the hoses, hook up a couple jumper wires and try it out. See if it makes a difference or not. Sometimes even try a jug of CLEAN fuel hung on the side and the electric pump pulling fuel from it to eliminate the tank, filter(s) and lines if suspect.
 
   / Fuel issue #4  
Once you've covered all the bases, filters, screens, lines, ETC and it still seems starved for fuel, it could be the lift pump. Often if I suspect that I will substitute an electric pump in its place. Just hang it on the hoses, hook up a couple jumper wires and try it out. See if it makes a difference or not. Sometimes even try a jug of CLEAN fuel hung on the side and the electric pump pulling fuel from it to eliminate the tank, filter(s) and lines if suspect.
Yep^^^see if the injector pump is getting fuel to it.
 
   / Fuel issue
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Sorry for the delay in updating this thread. Life kinda got in the way.
I have taken the fuel lines loose and blown them out, changed out the lift pump and started to take the injectors out but it seems that I may need a special tool to get them out.
As far as what the tractor is doing, it will turn over but will not fire at all. I do not want to spray starter fluid because when i do it sounds like it is knocking rods.
From what I have researched the injectors seem to be the next step. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
   / Fuel issue #7  
"Will turn over but not fire at all". That leaves a lot of room for speculation from out here. Are you seeing any smoke while cranking? No smoke, no fire. Are you sue the glow plugs are actually working, not just a light on the dash lit up? (Assuming it has glow plug and needs them working to run)

Maybe it's time to revisit the point where this all started. I can't help thinking there's more to this story than we're getting. What happened just prior to your "no start" condition? It's not often that three injectors all quit working "overnight" and suddenly the engine won't start.
 
   / Fuel issue
  • Thread Starter
#8  
"Will turn over but not fire at all". That leaves a lot of room for speculation from out here. Are you seeing any smoke while cranking? No smoke, no fire. Are you sue the glow plugs are actually working, not just a light on the dash lit up? (Assuming it has glow plug and needs them working to run)

Maybe it's time to revisit the point where this all started. I can't help thinking there's more to this story than we're getting. What happened just prior to your "no start" condition? It's not often that three injectors all quit working "overnight" and suddenly the engine won't start.
There is no smoke when trying to start. There has been a lack of power for quite some time and I have used starter fluid to get it started. That will no longer work. It would run okay after starting but would lose power under a load, mainly while mowing. But it would die if the idle got too low and would not restart without starter fluid. i know starter fluid is not really good for diesels so I have tried not to use.
So I guess I will go back and disconnect all fuel lines and make sure they are clear and go from there.
 
   / Fuel issue #9  
I assume you have changed fuel filter of filters. Some have two. I’d check and make sure fuel gravities out of a fuel line near the main injector pump. Sometimes something floats into the fuel outlet in the tank. Once you eliminate that it’s the main injector pump, the injectors or something mechanical in the engine.
 

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