CK20 Throttle Problems - VIDEO - Please Help

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

Hey everyone! Happy 2014.
A few days back I posted a message on the general forum asking for advice on this issue I am having with my CK20.

I was plowing snow with the front bucket for the first time ever, everything went fine, but as I was finishing up my work with the tractor, I noticed that the throttle kept going from max RPM to low, and back up again, sometimes stalling. All while the throttle was at it's highest setting.

Somebody suggested it could be because diesel gumming up, so I added treatment, but it didn't fix the issue, and today was well above freezing so I am really stumped. I need to get this resolved ASAP before another storm hits. I would appreciate any advice on what could be causing this? It started out of the blue. Please see the below video to understand my issue:

 

[Fuggley]

Hey everyone! Happy 2014.
A few days back I posted a message on the general forum asking for advice on this issue I am having with my CK20.

I was plowing snow with the front bucket for the first time ever, everything went fine, but as I was finishing up my work with the tractor, I noticed that the throttle kept going from max RPM to low, and back up again, sometimes stalling. All while the throttle was at it's highest setting.

Somebody suggested it could be because diesel gumming up, so I added treatment, but it didn't fix the issue, and today was well above freezing so I am really stumped. I need to get this resolved ASAP before another storm hits. I would appreciate any advice on what could be causing this? It started out of the blue. Please see the below video to understand my issue:

Video Link: http://youtu.be/UVm5vCBTchQ

You might want to try running with the diesel fuel cap loosened up, just to make sure it's not the cap vent that is plugged.

 

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

I just tried loosening the cap, same thing is happening. Runs fine for a few minutes, but once I start trying to use the bucket or drive up an elevation, or put any force into the tractor, it starts up again.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Governor?

EDIT: Shows what I know... :2cents:

 

[kraftykeltic]

Fuel filter plugged?

 

[Coyote machine]

Sounds like a plugged fuel filter. Since we don't know where you are, or what type of fuel you are running it makes it pure speculation as to what is going on. BUT, if you're in the North East, for instance you would need to change your fuel filter and run 'cut', winterized fuel ALL winter.

 

[zzvyb6]

Fuel filter(s) or tank pickup screen/drop tube crack.

 

[wsessions1005]

Fuel filter is clogged.

 

[VictorW]

Definately a fuel related issue as others advised. Just some things that other members have posted in the past with similar problems. As mentioned, one had stuff in his tank that partially blocked the fuel outlet and I believe there is no filter screen there. Another had the diaphram go on the fuel lift pump. This is prior to the fuel filter and normally takes the fuel from the tank by gravity and pushes it at approx 4lbs pressure through the filter. One had a piece of dirt from the tank enter this diaphram pump. Pump can be disassembled if needed to be cleaned but you have to buy the whole pump if the diaphram went bad. Clogged fuel filter and tank cap as mentioned. I once used off road diesel, put in additive but apparently not enough, because it act similar when it was 20'F and the fuel jelled. You mentioned adding additive but it may have not mixed with all the fuel but above freezing temps should have taken care of that if it was jelling. With additive in my fuel, mine started and ran fine at 4'F a few days ago. I'd look at the other reasons as mentioned by all.

 

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

Thanks for the info guys! I am going out of town tomorrow for a few days, but I will take photos when I get back. I looked at the fuel filter tonight (its in a clear plastic housing on the back side of the tractor), and when looking through the plastic, it looks like the filter is crushed or something? It just doesn't look correct. Hopefully if I post the photos you guys will be able to tell if it's worth trying to replace the filter first. Hoping this will be an easy fix!

 

[DK35vince]

Thanks for the info guys! I am going out of town tomorrow for a few days, but I will take photos when I get back. I looked at the fuel filter tonight (its in a clear plastic housing on the back side of the tractor), and when looking through the plastic, it looks like the filter is crushed or something? It just doesn't look correct. Hopefully if I post the photos you guys will be able to tell if it's worth trying to replace the filter first. Hoping this will be an easy fix!

I can tell you the first thing I would try is replacing the filter without even seeing a photo.

 

[Ranchofla]

I had this same problem and started with the filter replacement (and my old one looked crushed as well), but my problem with this was that the bend in the fuel plumbing around the shutoff, the fuel was just trickling out, I cleaned the best I could from the bottom with a thin wire and got it to flow better, though probably not a as fast as it needs, but for now it supplies enough fuel that it no longer slows down.

Rancho

 

[Coyote machine]

I can tell you the first thing I would try is replacing the filter without even seeing a photo.

+1. Get and keep a spare on hand, especially for winter months. It's easy to change and can save a lot of headaches.

 

[Phil48]

Exact same problem last week with my CK20, your video could have been mine! First thing I check was the fuel filter, I could barely see translucence iced particle in the fuel filter. I added anti freeze in the fuel tank, waited 30 minutes, but still the same problem. So I took it in the garage for three hours at 60F, plugged the block heater, and voilà no more problem! My fuel supplied was from this summer, perhaps not the good winter formula? Where was the gelling of the diesel occurred in the line? Don't know, but after an important cure of heat, it came back to life. For the rest of winter I will add systematically an anti diesel freeze.

Diesel Antifreeze protects diesel up to -33°C: Bardahl

Best of luck, it is cold out there!

 

[ritcheyvs]

As I understand it, wax crystals form in cold fuel and these can block the filters even when you can't see them. If you can warm the tractor, I'd try that first. If you start changing many things it's hard to know what fixed the problem or even if it's really fixed. The symptoms are classic for fuel starvation but the potential causes are many.

 

[Phil48]

Couple of years ago, with mechanic we were installing a generator set (500Kw Caterpillar) in a train container, having the same problem (fuel depravation) one of the guy installed a temperature gauge with memory. The engine failed again during the night; we were blame again... But the low temperature was recorded -35C, and the fuel was supplied by the train Cie and supposedly certified for winter use... We dismounted the fuel line, and it look like maple syrup. We flush everything, order ourselves real "winter" fuel, no more problem. The filters where ok, the fuel pump also, it was the thickness of the fuel going through the fuel line (1/2 inches).

We took the container inside the train garage overnight, with adequate fuel additive no more problem...