So it's been pretty cold here, not quite polar vortex but cold (around 0 overnight, single digits daytime)
When I started up my 1988 JD 2355 this afternoon (after being plugged in for about 2 hours, it was about 9 degrees) it started right up but the rpms started dipping occasionally. Started driving it over to pick up some hay bales and the rpms kept slowly dropping, despite increased throttle until it finally died. Started it up again and it immediately revved up to match the throttle position (which was pretty high, trying to keep it from dieing) but then started to slide down again and died. After a couple more rounds of start and die, I brought over some diesel and added 5 gallons (it was at half a tank before, now closer to 3/4). I made sure it had more than the usual amount of cold weather additive in it (the rest of the fuel also has additive in it), started it up again and while the rpms kept dipping, it at least ran long enough that I could drive it back up the hill to be close enough to an outlet that I can plug it in! I let it run for a minute but the rpms were still wavering and dropping so I shut it off.
It's dark now (and the cab on this beast means it won't fit in the garage) so I am looking for first things to check in the daylight. My thought is that there is clearly some kind of fuel (or air?) restriction. Gelled fuel in the filter? (though I always put the additive in, so I wouldn't think so) Other crap in the filter? (I've only had the tractor since the fall, not sure when that was last changed) Water or air in the fuel? Hopefully not something more complicated like a fuel pump...
Any tips, recommendations or things to check appreciated. It's warming over the weekend and into next week, so I should actually be able to work on it without loosing fingers.
When I started up my 1988 JD 2355 this afternoon (after being plugged in for about 2 hours, it was about 9 degrees) it started right up but the rpms started dipping occasionally. Started driving it over to pick up some hay bales and the rpms kept slowly dropping, despite increased throttle until it finally died. Started it up again and it immediately revved up to match the throttle position (which was pretty high, trying to keep it from dieing) but then started to slide down again and died. After a couple more rounds of start and die, I brought over some diesel and added 5 gallons (it was at half a tank before, now closer to 3/4). I made sure it had more than the usual amount of cold weather additive in it (the rest of the fuel also has additive in it), started it up again and while the rpms kept dipping, it at least ran long enough that I could drive it back up the hill to be close enough to an outlet that I can plug it in! I let it run for a minute but the rpms were still wavering and dropping so I shut it off.
It's dark now (and the cab on this beast means it won't fit in the garage) so I am looking for first things to check in the daylight. My thought is that there is clearly some kind of fuel (or air?) restriction. Gelled fuel in the filter? (though I always put the additive in, so I wouldn't think so) Other crap in the filter? (I've only had the tractor since the fall, not sure when that was last changed) Water or air in the fuel? Hopefully not something more complicated like a fuel pump...
Any tips, recommendations or things to check appreciated. It's warming over the weekend and into next week, so I should actually be able to work on it without loosing fingers.
