I've got a JD 4300 that had a bad PTO switch which caused it not to start. I've found and fixed that problem however, it sit outside over a very hard/ cold winter. So I found the switch, bypassed it, and now it cranks but won't start. I've squirted some starter fluid thru, and that fired but would not stay running. I've emptied the fuel cell as best as possible and replaced with kerosene (about 2 gallons) and I'm guess i have a 1 to 1 ratio of old diesel/ kerosene. I've replaced the fuel filter. The best I can tell from manual, it is a self bleeding fuel system (never heard of that before). It still won't start. Any ideas??? I'm wondering if that fuel gelled in the lines and injectors and not letting adequate fuel get into cylinder but I'm clueless. I'm a beginner at this so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
diesel fuel in general
- Thread starter kennyk205
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Industrial Toys
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First of all, get rid of the starting fluid unless you want to destroy your tractor. What did I hear the other day, it's the tool of hammer mechanics!
Do you hear your fuel solenoid clicking when turning on the key?
Where are you? Is it really cold there?
Can I assume that the engine never ran after your pto switch issues?
Do you hear your fuel solenoid clicking when turning on the key?
Where are you? Is it really cold there?
Can I assume that the engine never ran after your pto switch issues?
FatTire
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Maybe the place to start is see if you are getting fuel or not to the engine. If accessible, crack open a nut on an injector line where they go into the engine block. Just loosen about a third or half a turn. Crank the engine for 4 or 5 seconds and then take a look if some diesel has dribbled out. If there is some, you have fuel. If not, tighten the nut and then work your way back toward the fuel filter and see if you have flow at various points.
Industrial Toys
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Since it's not starting, my guess is that there is no fuel at the injectors, so start to look earlier. It's also good to know if it has a manual or electric fuel pump. Electric is much easier to bleed to the injector pump. First get the fuel flowing to the filter bleeder screw or outlet fitting.
I hate to use either on any engine as well, but thanks for the reminder. The injectors are like really hard to get to but if i have to, I'll go that route if necessary. I think its an electric pump, but I can't hear it run, nor while cranking or key on will get fuel to "spu" from anywhere, even with hoses loose as a goose. I do believe the solenoid is engaging or ok, but like i said earlier, I'm a newbie... Thanks for all the input... gonna check back soon
Iit WAS a very cold winter, but here in Indiana, its hitting high 70's everyday. It has not run since the pto issue. I just found the switch yesterday and unplugged it and put a jumper wire across. Now it cranks (did not before) but no run. It always started super easy before.
thanks for the starter fluid tip.... i hate to use the stuff but in emergencies, i do.... the tractor has not run since i've bypassed the switch yesterday May 10th... I'm in Indiana so we're at a constant 70 degree weather however we had an unusual hard/ cold winter which the tractor sit outside.... the solenoid i can hear but i'm no for sure its the fuel solenoid.... i don't gamble, but i'd bet a paycheck this is what i hear... the funny thing is, i can't hear or see evidence that the electric fuel pump is working.... i've loosened many lines, and turned key on to active pump but no spueing... nor while cranking.... grrrr.... troubleshooting sucks... thanks
chas0218
Gold Member
I would do some more digging to see if it is in fact a gravity bleed system. If it is you would leave the bleeders open until fuel comes out then you know you have fuel at that location and keep cracking bleeders until you have it all the way to the injectors. On some tractors I have seen where guys pressurized the tank with compressed air to push a fuel through the lines. I would recommend starting with low pressure as diesel tanks on tractors aren't meant to take lots of pressure. In the past when we ran out of fuel we have pulled the tractor in gear with another tractor or truck turning the engine over and it seemed to pull the fuel through the system until she fired.
If you have an electric pump you will hear a slight hum when the key is turned on, if it is mechanical you won't hear anything over the tractor cranking. When I was working for Cornell and changed out the filters we would do it fast as possible to keep from draining the system an on restart give the tractor about 1/4-1/2 throttle before cranking her over to pull/push fuel into the empty filters. She would run rough for a quick second but level back out after the air was purged.