Experiencing Intermittent Shut-down

[Wagtail]

I think you got something growing in there...We used to have an old troubleshooting saying: "do that thing you don't want to do first"...And you know what that thing for you is... Drain that **** tank and clean it out.

Too true, James.

 

[Wagtail]

Next time it happens, and you have the fuel hose off to the tank and see just a dribble of fuel, stick a skinny, long screw driver (or something like that) up in the fuel outlet....see if you can 'bump' whatever is blocking flow out of the way....you should get hosed with fuel.

Once you have an inspection camera, pick up a set of long 'grabber' tongs (like these: Mechanical Pick-Up | Canadian Tire ), and if you're lucky, it's something solid (like a bug) you can grab and not have to take the tank off and clean it.

But if it's sludge, tank is gonna have to come off.

Ta Mate. When I went into the local auto-parts shop and ordered the inspection camera I inquired about something to 'grab'... and he sold me the exact Mechanical Pick-Up that you linked.

When I went to drain the tank whilst in the field, the fuel line to the fuel bowl came off easy after backing off the spring clamp. A trickle of fuel, as I said. So I backed off the spring clamp at the bottom of the fuel tank = I could not budge the fuel line! <sigh>

Oh well, we'll get there in the end.

 

[Wagtail]

UPDATE (hopefully the final one). I have my tractor back! :cool2: HUZZAH!!! Thanks to TBN advice, a bit of elbow grease and 'better living through chemicals'.

Whilst waiting for the inspection camera to arrive (it's a small town, eh), I was visiting the local mower shop/STIHL dealership. Conversation turned to me telling my tractor fuel woes and my impending tank clean-out. The young bloke highly recommended I get some "Fuel Doctors" treatment, which I promptly Googled when I got home. Here's the website (it's old, but has a great video on how it works): Fuel Doctors Australia

I quickly bought one litre (retail) at a 'big-smoke' auto shop and ordered five litres (wholesale), which arrived this past Tuesday. The Fuel Doctor's 'tech' said to use an entire one litre in my 43ltr tank, let it sit for 3-4 days and then see how it initially goes.

The camera arrived and I had a look... Good LORD!!! It looked like the entire bottom of the tank was filled with green fairy-floss [cotton candy]. Anyway, I poured the Fuel Doctor stuff in + filled the tank full of diesel, waited four days and then took the tractor out for a work-out. Nope, the same symptoms.

Once the five litre container arrived it was time to get serious! I removed the bottom fuel line and positioned it to drain into a 60 litre storage bin (nothing but a drip coming out). I then hand-pumped the tank as dry as I could (fuel was greenish yellow). I then used the mechanical pick-up with a CHUX [J-cloth?] to wipe/soak up what I could in the tank... stringy, dark brown crap.

At one point, the CHUX acted like a plunger as the bottom fuel line finally opened up and the tank fully drained. (YAY!!!)

After doing everything that I could, I put everything back together; added another litre of Fuel Doctor and then filled the tank (to the brim) with fresh diesel. The next day I shifted my horses into the next paddock (round bale and hay ring movement)... not a problem. I then chain harrowed 2 paddocks (2 hour job)... not a problem. Finally, I hooked up my tiller and worked the tractor (including a 7km road trip) for 4 hours.

I have my tractor BACK! Thanks all!

 

[k0ua]

Yup, that's what I figured. Something growing in your tank... Not good.. Glad you got it in hand.:thumbsup:

 

[Wagtail]

Ta James. I'm glad that I didn't have to pull the tank off to clean it... hence the 'better living through chemicals' comment above.

That stuff is amazing. And, yes, expensive at A$30 per litre (wholesale). The tech said to use a litre per tank for four tanks in order to truly get rid of all of the gunk. But I won't have to change the fuel filter as he guaranteed that the 'suspended' bio + any water/moisture will pass through and burn up. Claims it'll clean the lines & valves too!

I know that this sounds like an advert but, it'll stabilise all fuel for up to 2 years. It can be used with petrol, diesel and 2-stroke fuel.