Jd 320 fuel starvation?

[Frankman]

Have a mid 1990's Jd 320. I got this from a good friend that was having issues with it. Was having issues with it not running unless the choke was on. Had barely any fuel in filter with bubbles flowing through it like crazy. He replaced both coils and plugs and various other maintenance items thinking it would fix the problem. It did not. I got it home thinking it was just something like cracked fuel lines, or junk in the tank or carb. Pulled tank and all fuel lines. Replaced all of them including the section of hard line as it was fairly corroded. Flushed and cleaned the tank and carb, and replaced fuel filter. It ran great for 2 mowings (i have about 2.5 acres to mow)and is now doing the same thing. Fuel filter is filling with bubbles and tractor will not run unless the choke is on fully. Took off the gas cap as it seemed to be starving for fuel, thought maybe the vent was clogged. No change... Any other ideas? When it started this time as I was mowing it started to sputter a few times, then ran fine for a few minutes, and then eventually stalled. Then would only run with the choke on. I'm stumped! I really hate to throw money at it for a fuel pump or any other items that will not fix it. And help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Frankman]

Almost forgot! Has a 18 hp liquid cooled Kawasaki vtwin # FD590V-AS00

 

[wschapinjr]

sounds like a fuel line suction problem as there should be no air in the lines. Maybe a fitting is loose? Is the filter housing new? Might put some silicon around where the bowl fits against the metal top and see if that eliminates the problem. If it does then I would replace the entire filter assembly.

 

[Frankman]

This tractor just has a replaceable inline fuel filter... The previous owner and I both replaced it... I'm stumped?

 

[JD 420]

A quick test to try is disconnect the fuel line from the fuel shut off valve located just before the fuel filter and put the fuel line to the filter in a container with fuel in it and start the engine and watch to see if the air in the fuel problem is fixed. If there is no more air in the fuel at the filter then the problem is before the filter on the tank side. If there is still air in the fuel the problem is after the shut off valve towards the engin. You can also blow a SMALL amount of air into the line at the shut off valve going toward the tank and listen for any leaks. Hope this helps.

 

[rabtfarm]

I just had a diesel fuel feed issue whereby the short plastic tube inside the fuel tank had perished and was leaking air into the suction side. Does your fuel line drop into the tank from the top like mine, or does it feed from a bottom fuel feed? These new gasoline formulas will melt steel given the chance...plastic and rubber don't last long.

 

[Gumby542]

I have a 94 320 that does the exact same thing. I've been worki on it for a month now. New lines, clean carb, clean tank, new filter, new fuel cap, blew all lines out. Got black crud in filter. Replaced again. Next step was to disconnect fuel line at the carb, check to make sure pump is working correctly.
Really seems like a vapor lock condition, but there doesn't seem to be much heat around the line

 

[Frankman]

Gumby, let me know if you make some headway on this. I will be sure to do the same!

 

[Gumby542]

Absolutely. This thing has been frustrating me for a month now. So much, I went and bought another tractor. I really like my 335 now

 

[Frankman]

Wish that was an option I could do also.... But not one right now.