Oil & Fuel Fuel problem?

[Steve23240]

Does diesel degrade with age? Whilst cutting the orchard recently, my Kubota L1500 tractor ran out of fuel. I refilled it with diesel but also included some diesel from another source which was a few years old. I couldn't start it and eventually drained off all the fuel and refilled it. Even then it took me a long time to start it. The two problems that occurred to me were (a) bad fuel and (b) an air lock. What is the most likely? Or could it have been something else?

many thanks, Steve

 

[bigbull338]

Does diesel degrade with age? Whilst cutting the orchard recently, my Kubota L1500 tractor ran out of fuel. I refilled it with diesel but also included some diesel from another source which was a few years old. I couldn't start it and eventually drained off all the fuel and refilled it. Even then it took me a long time to start it. The two problems that occurred to me were (a) bad fuel and (b) an air lock. What is the most likely? Or could it have been something else?

many thanks, Steve

ok did you try priming it when you put the 1st diesel in it.when you drained the fuel tank an refilled it you got air in the line.thus you have to prime it like you would if you ran it completely out of fuel.

 

[Steve23240]

Priming? Can you describe this operation for me please? This is my first 'proper' tractor after a honda engined lawn 'tractor' so I'm still on the steepest bit of the learning curve! It certainly sounds as though this is the problem, does this mean that I can re-use the 'old' fuel I drained off?
many thanks

 

[bigbull338]

Priming? Can you describe this operation for me please? This is my first 'proper' tractor after a honda engined lawn 'tractor' so I'm still on the steepest bit of the learning curve! It certainly sounds as though this is the problem, does this mean that I can re-use the 'old' fuel I drained off?
many thanks

its hard to tell you how to prime it without being there.but ill try to help you,if its a kubota you should have a valve on the right hand side of the motor that you turn to open.you do that an wait 2 or 3 mins then try to crank the tractor.if it cranks let it run a few mins then kill it.an close that valve back,an the tractor should crank then.

 

[Steve23240]

Excellent! Many thanks for your help, BigBull. The power of the internet forum demonstrated yet again!

 

[devildog1]

That was your problem, when you ran out of Diesel you introduced air in fuel lines, they needed to be bleeded.
DevilDog

 

[Steve23240]

Thanks DevilDog. Note to self - must read the manual.

 

[dodge man]

Not all Kubotas have a priming lever. Some just say to crank it to prime it.

Yes diesel gets old, maybe not as fast as gasoline, but it can collect water, algae, and all sorts of bad things. It just depends on how it was stored.

 

[Steve23240]

Thank you Dave, I had intended to re-use the old stuff a little at a time but I don't think I'll risk it now. A trip to the dump is required!

 

[Tx Jim]

As long as the "old" diesel isn't contaminated with water or dirt it should be fine. If it has water then let the water settle to the bottom of the can and use the top part.