Is Fuel filter to be liquid-full?

[BEB101B]

On my GC1710, (1500 hrs) when it’s running, rpm’s then die off like it’s not getting fuel. Then sometimes it runs just fine for a hour…Drained some water from fuel filter and replaced filter, but having same problem. Put diesel treatment in fuel tank- no change. Am wanting to bleed air from fuel system using attached procedure, but the fuel filter is not liquid full and air is not bubbling from the bleed screw. Should the filter be liquid full? Any other ideas? Many thanks!

 

[Harry in Ky]

In MOST cases, yes, the filter should be (and stay) full during successful operation. Your tractor has an electric fuel pump so in theory it should almost be a self priming fuel system. It doesn't always work that way. Reading the instructions you are apparently following, it doesn't mention the pump. If I were doing it, I would open the filter bleed and let gravity fill the filter. close that, open the injection pump bleed and turn the key (and electric pump) on until air free fuel flows there. Close the bleeder and move on.

Is the engine starting and running currently, or are still in the "bleed it out and get it running again" situation? Your original symptoms indicate a fuel flow problem. It could be the filter was the issue and you just haven't finished bleeding yet. Could also be a supply from tank issue which you haven't gotten to yet. This can also contribute to a partially filled filter because the electric pump is pulling fuel out of the filter faster than the supply from the tank can provide.

 

[Dmacleo]

key on when filling after replace filter?
make sure valve is not sticking and is open all the way (sort of wondering if this or your actual fuel line blocked may be root cause) loosen bleed screw turn key on (will hasten process over gravity) and should fill bowl all the way.
usually do not have to deal with bleed screw but have had to do it on a gc1710 in the past.

edit: changed word pump to line, unsure how.why I typed pump in there.

 

[ruffdog]

On my GC1710, (1500 hrs) when it’s running, rpm’s then die off like it’s not getting fuel. Then sometimes it runs just fine for a hour…Drained some water from fuel filter and replaced filter, but having same problem. Put diesel treatment in fuel tank- no change. Am wanting to bleed air from fuel system using attached procedure, but the fuel filter is not liquid full and air is not bubbling from the bleed screw. Should the filter be liquid full? Any other ideas? Many thanks!

More than likely you have a bunch of water/debris blocking the passage between the tank and filter. Trace your way back to the tank to find the blockage.

 

[BEB101B]

In MOST cases, yes, the filter should be (and stay) full during successful operation. Your tractor has an electric fuel pump so in theory it should almost be a self priming fuel system. It doesn't always work that way. Reading the instructions you are apparently following, it doesn't mention the pump. If I were doing it, I would open the filter bleed and let gravity fill the filter. close that, open the injection pump bleed and turn the key (and electric pump) on until air free fuel flows there. Close the bleeder and move on.

Is the engine starting and running currently, or are still in the "bleed it out and get it running again" situation? Your original symptoms indicate a fuel flow problem. It could be the filter was the issue and you just haven't finished bleeding yet. Could also be a supply from tank issue which you haven't gotten to yet. This can also contribute to a partially filled filter because the electric pump is pulling fuel out of the filter faster than the supply from the tank can provide.

Thank you so much for your reply. The fuel was just drip drip dripping at the filter air bleed screw, before we blew air through the line from fuel filter back to tank (had to take floor board off to do this). That must have cleared a plug (hope it doesn’t come back) in the fuel line from tank to filter. Now the fuel runs good to the filter by gravity from the tank. It seemed like a lot of work to take floor board off to do all this and all the posts on this thread pointed to that need, and clearing the plug fixed the problem and tractor runs real good now! Many many thanks to all who responded !!

 

[BEB101B]

More than likely you have a bunch of water/debris blocking the passage between the tank and filter. Trace your way back to the tank to find the blockage.

Thank you for your reply - there was indeed a blockage between tank and fuel filter!! Thank you for encouragement to find & remove the blockage - it worked!

 

[BEB101B]

key on when filling after replace filter?
make sure valve is not sticking and is open all the way (sort of wondering if this or your actual fuel line blocked may be root cause) loosen bleed screw turn key on (will hasten process over gravity) and should fill bowl all the way.
usually do not have to deal with bleed screw but have had to do it on a gc1710 in the past.

edit: changed word pump to line, unsure how.why I typed pump in there.

Thanks for your reply !! Altogether these replies helped us to find and remove blockage between fuel tank and fuel filter (hope it doesn’t come back!)

 

[ssgp2]

Glad you got it going. However, I suspect you will have the issue again as more than likely the blockage was probably in the tank where the fuel line connects. I would recommend using BioKleen from Power Service. If it was just fuel sludge, this will help correct the issue. If it was rust or other solid debris, get ready to pull and clean the tank.

Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide Treatment

This dual-phased biocide kills microbes in fuel, including bacteria and fungus. Use this to rid your diesel fuel system of microbial contamination.

powerservice.com

 

[WinterDeere]

Glad you got it going. However, I suspect you will have the issue again as more than likely the blockage was probably in the tank where the fuel line connects. I would recommend using BioKleen from Power Service. If it was just fuel sludge, this will help correct the issue. If it was rust or other solid debris, get ready to pull and clean the tank.

Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide Treatment

This dual-phased biocide kills microbes in fuel, including bacteria and fungus. Use this to rid your diesel fuel system of microbial contamination.

powerservice.com

Beat me to it, but I was going to suggest swinging by your local marine store, to pick up a fuel treatment and biocide. Boaters deal with this all the time on their small diesels, as the environment (esp. those who cruise warmer waters) constantly promotes growth in the fuel tanks, and the clogs that come with it.

 

[ruffdog]

At least get a hose to siphon a bit of fuel from the bottom of the tank to see whats down there. Then you would have a better understanding what you are dealing with.