3400 overheated - now wont start

[wyzeguy]

After mowing for over an hour my 3400 just quit. i checked under the hood to find that the factory radiator cap had blown off.The engine only has 250 hours on it. I let it cool down and checked the fluid but now I cant get it to start... it will crank over but - wont start. is there a sensor or something that may have been damaged or something obscure anyone knows of that will prevent it from starting.
I'm stumped, any help would be appreciated

 

[ccsial]

Wow. Did you happen to notice if the temp gauge was climbing? My L3400 has 280 hours and the temp gauge moves just a little off cold.

Did you get a lot of steam when it blew? The only thing I can think of is something got wet, but I can't imagine what. I assume it didn't sieze when it stopped.

I'll have to check my service manual to see if there is an overtemp switch that cuts off the fuel solenoid. I don't think there is though.

 

[wyzeguy]

It's always just bben off the mark like you said and i've never had an issue. i didnt see it climb but it must have. there was not a shot of steam or any indication anything was going on. It didnt look lie it washed anything down REALLY weird...and frustrating.

Thanks for chiming in..

Ken

 

[ccsial]

Ken, I looked in my service manual and there is not a overtemp sensor that will shut it down. I'd check all the fuses next. If the engine didn't seize it must not be getting fuel.

How much coolant did it lose?

There are some pretty sharp people here, maybe one will have a better answer.

Al

 

[JC-jetro]

if the engine seized due to excess heat then I don't think it would turn over, so the fact engine turns over might provide some hope. Did you actually fill the radiator to see how much coolant you have lost? Although overheating has nothing to do with fuel delivery, but are you sure you have fuel at the injector? do you smell burnt gasket and oil? take the dipstick out, do you see any mixture of oil and coolant? it would probably some milky oil/coolant combo, if so that might be cracked head due to high heat and lack of cooling. I'd make sure at-least putting some water in the radiator for testing purposes now till you flush and fill it up with coolant once you find cause. How about your clutch neutral safety switch? are you sure it is satisfied before starting the tractor. Good luck.

JC,

 

[Egon]

As stated ensure there is fuel to the injectors. If so then you might want to squirt a little oil in each cylinder and turn the motor over a few times under no compression. This might?? lubricate the cylinders and create a better seal with the rings??

Note: be very cognizant of the oil squirted in the cylinder and leaving the opening open when first turning over the engine. [ Injector or glow plug ]

 

[wyzeguy]

Thank you all for your efforts in helping me. After several days of trying to figure out what had happened without tearing to far into things heres what i found. The radiator did blow but it only blew enough to release the pressure so fluid loss was minimal. As for the not starting... BUGS! Aparently somehow hundreds of tiny little bugs had gotton into my fuel tank and plugged the fuel off.The filter was half full and didnt look fouled, so i presumed it was functioning. Aparently the two issues just happened together. I'm still not sure where the little guys came from, Ive been using the same fuel can for two years and i'm real good about putting the cap on I guess God just has a sense of humor.

well i guess i'll be cleaning out my fuel system this weekend.

Thanks again for the help,

Ken

 

[ccsial]

Glad to hear there was no serious damage.

 

[Egon]

Good to hear all is well.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Transit]

Ken, if I were you, I would be thinking about installing a better Temperature gauge and sensor. There are Digital and analogue gauges that will show you what is going on and not just move the needle off zero.

 

[dodge man]

Are you sure it is bugs? The only reason I ask is because algae or other stuff can grow in diesel.

 

[wyzeguy]

Thats a great idea- do you know off hand if it would be the same cinfiguration as a standard vehicle(ie thread and fittings) ?

 

[Cat_Driver]

I can say this I've used mine in 120 degree plus temps with a clogged radiator screen and it never did shut off. She got as hot as blazes but kept running till the idiot light reached up and slapped me in the face. I cleaned off the screen and went right back at it.

I could write volumes on how I abused that tractor and she kept coming back for more.

Get a fresh fuel can or really clean out the old one and start using some additive to keep the microorganisms from growing.

Source Of Diesel Fuel Problems