John Deere 4500 starts, runs for about 45 seconds, then quits; sooner under a load

spareparts1 · May 3, 2019

Hi Guys,

Having trouble keeping my neighbor's JD4500 running. She has congestive heart disease, so trying to help.

It starts, runs for about 45 seconds, then quits if you don't give fuel. Had to leave the brush hog in the field and baby the tractor home because if you lift it, the engine shuts off immediately (can't seem to take a load).

Changed the fuel filter. Blew out the lines. Changed the solenoid. Battery good. Didn't run the thing dry... Looking for a manual, but man, they're kind of pricey.

I'm thinking thermistor next, but really, I'm getting a bit discouraged.

Hey, at least with all the rain, we're blessed with lots of grass and I'm not having to put out her hay bales. Phew!

Thanks for any help!
Sonya

beenthere · May 3, 2019

Sounds to me like starved for fuel.
What does "blew out the lines" entail ?

And what is meant by "quits if you don't give fuel" ??

And what solenoid was changed?

How long since the 4500 ran fine? Does it sit for long periods of time?

Am sure we can help ..

ruffdog · May 3, 2019

Can you let the fuel run into a transparent quart + container to check for flow or impurities?

spareparts1 · May 4, 2019

There's been a little more (local) help on it than I am used to, so I'll have to ask her husband and a friend of mine what all they did... They're smart enough to Google problems, but I like my Tractorbynet crew... It's just more efficient.

Anyway, he changed the fuel solenoid and the filter. She said the fuel was really nasty. I... THOUGHT I heard him say he blew the fuel lines out (compressed air). Now... MY thinking that would actually be the metal skinny lines that go into the boots. *I* would clean out the boots, too, but then you have to make darned sure NO AIR is in all that when you put it back together and start it up again. On my Kubota it's, I guess, simpler. But it's smaller tractor, too.

I know the 4500 ran fine 2 weeks ago. He uses this tractor a lot, and it's hard miles. So when she needs to use it, well, it really needs to run. I and my friend try to stay out of the middle... but the tractor needs to run...

Anyway, I wanted to get back to y'all. And I'll get better answers for you as soon as I can. Thank you so much!

beenthere · May 4, 2019

Don't know what you mean by "boots", but suspect you may mean "injectors"..
If so, it's a place you shouldn't be in, as likely not where the problem is at.

Be sure there is good fuel in the tank, and no debris, with good fuel flow from the tank to the fuel filter. Blowing back from the filter to the fuel tank may help dislodge any debris plugging good fuel flow but if not removed then it will plug again.

Sounds like some confusion happening in the "discussions"..

Good luck..

Tx Jim · May 4, 2019

I'm not sure this applies to a 4500 with a Yanmar engine but I know it applies to older JD engines that the fuel return line has a valve(key 22) that can get stopped up with debris that cause engine to only run for short periods of time. It would be easy to check by just removing hose from valve & leave hose open to see if engine will run longer

Tx Jim · May 4, 2019

beenthere said:
Don't know what you mean by "boots", but suspect you may mean "injectors"..
.

My guess is by stating "boots" spareparts1 is referring to fuel injector "fuel return hoses"(key 9).

spareparts1 · May 4, 2019

beenthere said:
Don't know what you mean by "boots", but suspect you may mean "injectors"..
If so, it's a place you shouldn't be in, as likely not where the problem is at.

Be sure there is good fuel in the tank, and no debris, with good fuel flow from the tank to the fuel filter. Blowing back from the filter to the fuel tank may help dislodge any debris plugging good fuel flow but if not removed then it will plug again.

Sounds like some confusion happening in the "discussions".. Good luck..

Unfortunately it's easy to confuse me... :laughing: However... I got hold of my friend, who described better for me what happens... The tractor runs for a few yards, putters out. Then you have to restart it and baby it along for another few yards, until it putters out again. This is her husband got the thing home (without the brush hog).

No..... the lines did NOT get blown out... I guess that was wishful hearing on my part. This guy is not very proactive in the maintenance department. My other friend who was helping the husband said the gas tank is all rusty inside, and REALLY needs to be cleaned out because at this point, the new fuel filter will just clog up.

I like to do as little as possible, but as much as necessary... Maintenance is a BIG part of this for me. That all being said... *I* think the tank needs to be cleaned out, and a new float put in, then try to start it up and worry about the other things, one thing at a time (I don't like taking stuff apart if I don't have to).

As always, many thanks! And I will download the pictures and keep you posted!

beenthere · May 4, 2019

spareparts
There is a drain valve on the fuel tank, but the "float" has to do with the fuel gauge.. (not sure why that needs to be changed).
Nor what is meant by "all rusty inside".. not a metal tank.. but it may be algae and debris that looks rusty.
But clean tank is for sure a must.

Keep pushing for answers..

You may want to go to
https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/

and type in model 4500 and click on "compact utility tractor" to see all the parts.. with some helpful names sometimes.

I think if you get good fuel supplied to the pump that they will have a running tractor..

spareparts1 · May 4, 2019

beenthere said:
spareparts
There is a drain valve on the fuel tank, but the "float" has to do with the fuel gauge.. (not sure why that needs to be changed).
Nor what is meant by "all rusty inside".. not a metal tank.. but it may be algae and debris that looks rusty.
But clean tank is for sure a must.

Keep pushing for answers..

You may want to go to
https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/

and type in model 4500 and click on "compact utility tractor" to see all the parts.. with some helpful names sometimes.

I think if you get good fuel supplied to the pump that they will have a running tractor..

Ah! Well, I just think it would be nice to have a gas gauge that WORKS (and she would like that, too, instead of guessing how much diesel she has to do HER stuff all the time). I figure, while we are cleaning the tank, why not change the float out... But... maybe it is too much trouble? She is not thrilled with the thing getting run dry, is all.

Thank you for the pictures! There are some others earlier in the thread where I can check for clogs, too. I'm with you on the clean fuel throughout the system idea...

Outstanding help, though. Like I said, I ask a lot of questions and "remove all doubt"... I can be a pain, but efficient, long-lasting solutions are best to me.