engine cutting out

redman135 · Mar 22, 2014

JD6920: engine is cutting out on side slope(left only) when the fuel level is in the red zone but without the low fuel light coming on. The cutout point seems to be moving up the gauge. This has happened 4 times so far.
The effect is like turning the key off while on the move. Instant no brakes and no steering.Just to make things really interesting the hand brake doesn't work either.
The problem seems to be in the fuel pickup.
Restart can only be done by adding more fuel then bleeding the system from filter to injectors.
I have been driving this tractor for the last 3000 hrs and this problem only started about late january

Tx Jim · Mar 22, 2014

I suggest to check for good fuel flow from tank to filter. I suppose it's possible for fuel pickup in tank to have deteriorated. Simple solution is to keep more fuel in the tank.

JimRB · Mar 22, 2014

On my tiny JD the fuel pickup got covered with crud. I drained the tank, removed the fuel pickup, cleaned it and put things back together. I really need to removed the tank, clean it, coat it and put it back in but the roll over protection is blocking removal. My tractor is a toy compared to how you use yours. I can deal with the occasional fuel starvation which I can hear and drive out to level ground but yours sounds like you really need to clean up the tank and pickup.

redman135 · Mar 23, 2014

fuel tank to filter flow rate tests ok.
The evidence is pointing to an inaccurate fuel guage, but it was reliable before now. This is my 3rd season on this tractor, so the problem should have shown up before now, as we run the tank to the bottom of the gauge reasonably frequently.
Do short circuts make a gauge go inaccurate?
Do common rail engines just cut out with no warning? On the mechanical engines you always had a bit of warning as the engine struggled to get enough fuel.

Tx Jim · Mar 23, 2014

I have no knowledge of common rail fuel systems and do not wish to gain any knowledge on them.

jd110 · Mar 23, 2014

I agree you need to check the pickup tube. should have an access hole in floor under the floormat. Not the easiest to remove since there are usually some hydraulic hoses in the way, but they can be pushed to the side. Also might want to look at the underside of the tank. make sure the bottom of the tank is not deformed from something denting it or possible to deform from tank vent clogged and tank sucking in.

redman135 · Mar 24, 2014

Hello jd110, I didn't notice any underneath tank damage when I cleaned the tractor yesterday, but I will double check. For now the "minimum" is 1/4 of a tank reading. The pickup will be checked when things slow down in 2or 3 weeks.Right now is autumn planting.
I checked the manual for fuel tank capacity, 250 litres. The gauge read 1/2 full when I refueled tonight, but took 190 litres ,1/2 a tank is 120/130l, so I will be checking the fuel level float when I check the pickup.