Fuel issue

[Bdawg22]

I have a JD 4310 that doesn’t seem to be getting enough fuel to start. It will start if I use starter fluid. After running a while if it gets below 2000 rpms it will die. So I cannot idle it down very much am if I put too much load on it then it goes below 2000 and dies. I have to use starter fluid to get it restarted.
I have disconnected lines and checked flow and have changed the filter. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[gengine]

I'd start by blowing compressed air through the fuel lines, somewhat gently, to clear any obstructions. I've also seen where the fuel return lines being plugged will do that as well. That being said, if the injector pump is being fed fuel well, and with the injectors able to return the excess fuel back to the fuel tank, then your injector pump isn't pressuring up the fuel for the injectors until it get some RPM's. May need a rebuild, but that's my gut instinct.

 

[Harry in Ky]

I have a JD 4310 that doesn’t seem to be getting enough fuel to start. It will start if I use starter fluid. After running a while if it gets below 2000 rpms it will die. So I cannot idle it down very much am if I put too much load on it then it goes below 2000 and dies. I have to use starter fluid to get it restarted.
I have disconnected lines and checked flow and have changed the filter. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

Once you've covered all the bases, filters, screens, lines, ETC and it still seems starved for fuel, it could be the lift pump. Often if I suspect that I will substitute an electric pump in its place. Just hang it on the hoses, hook up a couple jumper wires and try it out. See if it makes a difference or not. Sometimes even try a jug of CLEAN fuel hung on the side and the electric pump pulling fuel from it to eliminate the tank, filter(s) and lines if suspect.

 

[ruffdog]

Once you've covered all the bases, filters, screens, lines, ETC and it still seems starved for fuel, it could be the lift pump. Often if I suspect that I will substitute an electric pump in its place. Just hang it on the hoses, hook up a couple jumper wires and try it out. See if it makes a difference or not. Sometimes even try a jug of CLEAN fuel hung on the side and the electric pump pulling fuel from it to eliminate the tank, filter(s) and lines if suspect.

Yep^^^see if the injector pump is getting fuel to it.

 

[gengine]

Any updates?

 

[Bdawg22]

Sorry for the delay in updating this thread. Life kinda got in the way.
I have taken the fuel lines loose and blown them out, changed out the lift pump and started to take the injectors out but it seems that I may need a special tool to get them out.
As far as what the tractor is doing, it will turn over but will not fire at all. I do not want to spray starter fluid because when i do it sounds like it is knocking rods.
From what I have researched the injectors seem to be the next step. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Harry in Ky]

"Will turn over but not fire at all". That leaves a lot of room for speculation from out here. Are you seeing any smoke while cranking? No smoke, no fire. Are you sue the glow plugs are actually working, not just a light on the dash lit up? (Assuming it has glow plug and needs them working to run)

Maybe it's time to revisit the point where this all started. I can't help thinking there's more to this story than we're getting. What happened just prior to your "no start" condition? It's not often that three injectors all quit working "overnight" and suddenly the engine won't start.

 

[Bdawg22]

"Will turn over but not fire at all". That leaves a lot of room for speculation from out here. Are you seeing any smoke while cranking? No smoke, no fire. Are you sue the glow plugs are actually working, not just a light on the dash lit up? (Assuming it has glow plug and needs them working to run)

Maybe it's time to revisit the point where this all started. I can't help thinking there's more to this story than we're getting. What happened just prior to your "no start" condition? It's not often that three injectors all quit working "overnight" and suddenly the engine won't start.

There is no smoke when trying to start. There has been a lack of power for quite some time and I have used starter fluid to get it started. That will no longer work. It would run okay after starting but would lose power under a load, mainly while mowing. But it would die if the idle got too low and would not restart without starter fluid. i know starter fluid is not really good for diesels so I have tried not to use.
So I guess I will go back and disconnect all fuel lines and make sure they are clear and go from there.

 

[dodge man]

I assume you have changed fuel filter of filters. Some have two. I’d check and make sure fuel gravities out of a fuel line near the main injector pump. Sometimes something floats into the fuel outlet in the tank. Once you eliminate that it’s the main injector pump, the injectors or something mechanical in the engine.

 

[Bdawg22]

Can anyone tell me if there are any fuses or relays that would hinder the flow of the fuel or keep the engine from firing? From what I have read the 4310 does not have glow plugs

 

[Cycledude]

I believe your tractor has a intake air heater system Hopefully this will help
Key Switch:

A-Start Position - Turn the key to the start position to start the engine. Release the key after the engine has started and it will automatically return to the run position. The engine will continue to run.
B-Run Position - Turn the key to the run position and the engine oil pressure light and battery charging lights should illuminate. You will also hear a clicking noise when the engine fuel shut-off solenoid engages. With the key in the run position, push the key in to activate the intake air heater system.

 

[Cycledude]

A lot of diesel engines prefer some sort of assistance on the first start of the day, I own a Kubota lawn mower and a ford tractor that both will start without using glow plugs but they start much quicker with the glow plugs so I always use the glow plugs the first time I start them for the day.
But yes your situation does sound like there’s probably something wrong besides the pre heater not working.

 

[dodge man]

A fuse for a lift pump might keep it from starting. A diesel with good compression will start without glow plugs or a heater grid but they do help.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

There should also be a fuel "shut-off" solenoid for the fuel ... Diesels are unlike gasoline engines, as once started they keep running as long as there is a fuel supply, when you turn on the ignition it powers a solenoid that opens the fuel valve to allow fuel to flow, when you turn off the ignition, it shuts the fuel off ... Old, really old diesels didn't have this, but a manual cable that was pulled like an old choke cable, to open or shut off the fuel supply ...

 

[Bdawg22]

Thanks for the suggestions. Turns out it is the injector pump and injectors. $8500 to get it fixed and then I still have a 22 yr old tractor.
May be looking for something new.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks for the suggestions. Turns out it is the injector pump and injectors. $8500 to get it fixed and then I still have a 22 yr old tractor.
May be looking for something new.

You may have some porosity in a rubber suction line. Air getting into fuel and then going to the pressure side. I would be absolutely sure pure fuel was getting to the injector pump before I would blame it on that pump. At this point your whole pressure side may be full of air.