Bobcat S590 died in cold

[laurencen]

looking for feedback, my 2016 S590 clearing snow at -35C last week, after a hour started running rough and died, couple days later plugged in and battery boos got it going ran for 3 mins and same thing, fast forward its -15C for a high today, plugged in and boost would not start with some white smoke .

the primer bulb is rock hard so pulled it out, warmed it up and fuel had lots of fine water droplets in it, sitting for half hour its softened up the water is now on the bottom and large mass not droplets.

pulled the hoses off the injector pump and filter its clear so is the primer line to filter, open the drain tap on filter and drained it.

was my issue a build up of water in the filter or lines causing the machine to die? plan on pulling some fuel out tank tomorrow and see what comes out, will install a new bulb and filter then prime to injector pump

thoughts' on what caused the shutdown?

 

[laurencen]

quick update, changed primer bulb filter primed up to the hose connection on the injector fitting, cranks but does not fire, some white puffs of smoke, any ideas

 

[ruffdog]

It looks like it takes the same fuel filter as the G toolcat. I wonder if it has the same bleed screw on top of the aluminum filter housing too. It would be a socket heat cap screw that uses a 3/16" or 1/4" hex wrench. Open it 3 turns and use the bulb to purge the air. That filter is very fine too so it does't take much to plug it.

 

[senecak19]

It looks like it takes the same fuel filter as the G toolcat. I wonder if it has the same bleed screw on top of the aluminum filter housing too. It would be a socket heat cap screw that uses a 3/16" or 1/4" hex wrench. Open it 3 turns and use the bulb to purge the air. That filter is very fine too so it does't take much to plug it.

Well how about that. This was the culprit on my father's bobcat just last week.

 

[seville009]

do you treat your diesel fuel?

i keep diesel in the five gallon containers and pour in some Diesel Kleen into each container before filling it with diesel. Have never had a fuel flow issue, even in sub zero temps.

 

[laurencen]

Tried again today its -19C, the filter is full did the bleed screw on top and bled the line to the injector body, still no go just white smoke, this injector body does not have a bleed screw anywhere I can see, at this stage I figure the motor is just not turning fast enough to fire, even with the boost from the car the motor only turns 15 seconds before slowing and just after the electronics shuts down.

they say -8C today, like summer plan tonight is run a seperate line to injector body with warm fuel and bypass the tank and filter and pull battery ground, the battery is pulling down the amps

 

[George2615]

Based on the original post it sounds like your fuel gelled up at -35C. What fuel are you using and do you use an anti-gel additive?
Now, since you have opened the fuel system it sounds like you have air that needs to be bled out.

 

[senecak19]

Also another ironic note, I just watched a Welker Farms video and their Deere skidsteer remains indoors for this very reason. They don't know why, but when it gets too cold, the Deere won't start. I know yours is Bobcat, but sounds like you guys have similar problems going on. Their in Minnesota, so not terribly far from you either.

 

[laurencen]

well finally fired up, took battery off warmed it up and charged, never seen a issue like this, the feed hose from tank dips and this dip had ice in it and frozen, seems sample of fuel shows lots of tiny water droplets that merged and froze, this ice plug moved back and forth,

in the shop now to warm up, plan on draining tank and see what comes out

 

[senecak19]

well finally fired up, took battery off warmed it up and charged, never seen a issue like this, the feed hose from tank dips and this dip had ice in it and frozen, seems sample of fuel shows lots of tiny water droplets that merged and froze, this ice plug moved back and forth,

in the shop now to warm up, plan on draining tank and see what comes out

Nice work finding the issue and thank you for posting the outcome. I'm sure you won't be the last with this issue and I'm sure this post will resurface down the road.