2520 stalling, cranking, hard to start, then fine.

[JonBrod89]

Hello all, new user here. Maybe someone out there can help me. My 2010 2520 that I bought new and has been regularly serviced, (has 130 hrs now), is having problems. Started about a week ago when i started it up and it stalled before i could even move it. Was fine for a few days after that. Did it again and was getting worse and was stalling more and more as i was driving it. (just moving trailers around the drive). I checked fill cap by loosening it and it still would stall. Drained fuel tank and water separator(disconnected hose from separator and fuel pours out of tank so it's not plugged), changed fuel filter, water separator element/filter(which were all like new), put in new fuel, put on new outer and inner air filters, and checked lines and replaced with new rubber hose and hose clamps instead of the spring clamps(thought maybe air was getting in at ends or from a pinhole in a hose). After all this I am still having problems. The part that has me confused is that it will run fine for a while sometimes. I mowed yesterday and only had it start to die or stall a handful of times (4 acres). Now today it keeps stalling so i checked battery voltage, fuel solenoid voltage, which were around 14ish, Now it'shardly running. Each time it stalls I have to crank and crank and crank to get it started again(like 4 or 5 times at 5 seconds each plus). It blows grayish smoke when it stalls. Then it started and was fine for 10 minutes. Drove it all over at different speeds and rpms. Thought it was fixed. Then it stalled again and will start and i'll get a couple feet and it'll stall again. The solenoid ticks when I turn the key over but do not start it, not sure how to tell if its doing something different while tractor is actually running. Tested voltage to fuel gauge and it was about 5, not sure if thats a problem or not but I'm trying to be very detailed in order for anyone to shed some light on this situation. Not sure if I have injector problems which seems strange that it will run good for a little bit sometimes and then stall and stall and stall. Or if its the pump or some sensor. I am at a loss. I am getting a service manual to try and figure some more out with the wiring and sensors and the schematics. Thanks in advance to anyone who took the time read this novel. lol

 

[pmsmechanic]

To me it sounds like a fuel problem and you've been very thorough in checking everything out. It sure sounds like there is a fuel line air leak somewhere. Maybe try pressuring up the fuel tank with a few pounds of air pressure to see where the leak is. I usually just stuff a clean rag around the air blower in the filler spout and pressure up that way.

 

[JonBrod89]

To me it sounds like a fuel problem and you've been very thorough in checking everything out. It sure sounds like there is a fuel line air leak somewhere. Maybe try pressuring up the fuel tank with a few pounds of air pressure to see where the leak is. I usually just stuff a clean rag around the air blower in the filler spout and pressure up that way.

Alright, I will do that when I get home from work as seem what I can find. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[JonBrod89]

Sorry, I'm learning as I go. I found some parts diagrams online and I've tested the fuel pump, not the solenoide. So that leaves the fuel shutoff solenoid as an option still.

 

[JonBrod89]

Update: tested fuel solenoid, it is not retracting when the key is turned. If I turn the key and push the plunger in, it will stay in until I turn off key. Checked voltage to the solenoid. With a lead in the odd port(black If I remeber) and one in one of the side by side ports(red or white I believe) I will get a reading of 12.55 one one side and .02 on the other. Not sure if voltage is a problem of its a bad solenoid.

 

[JonBrod89]

I tested the solenoid by wiring it to the battery and it works fine that way. Plunger pulls back and stays in position. Must be a relay or something before it that's bad. I will know more when the service manual I ordered comes in.