John Deere 5105 engine problem

[BlaisePascal]

Hi,

I got a 10 year old John Deere 5105 when we bought a house in January. I've read the manual, done a few maintenance checks, and used it about 15 hours to bush hog a hilly field. This evening I had my first problem.

I had bush-hogged for an hour, and it had started raining for a few minutes when the tractor died. I was nearly on the level at the bottom of a hill. It was very low on fuel, so I put a few gallons of fresh diesel in it, using a can that I'd used before.

When I tried to start it, the engine turned over fine, but it took 6 or 7 tries before it started. Then it ran fine and revved up quickly for maybe 15 seconds before it slowly died again. It didn't sputter, but the rpms dropped and surged over 5 or 10 seconds. Over the next 10 or 15 minutes I repeated this a few times and managed to travel 50 feet before I gave up.

The owner's manual suggests the following possibilities:
* Air in fuel tank. (Bleed fuel tank.)
* Water, dirt, or air in fuel system. (Drain, flush, fill and bleed system.)
* Clogged fuel filter. (Replace filter element.)
* Dirty or faulty injectors. (Have John Deere dealer check injectors. )

Here's a clue. I opened the fuel/water drain plug a few times during this process and never had any fuel run out.

Anybody want to hazard a guess? I'm thinking maybe air in the fuel lines.

Thanks.

 

[joecdeere]

yep, any time you run one out, you have to bleed it starting at the tank and working forward

 

[BlaisePascal]

Joe,
Thanks for your reply.
I looked up "bleeding fuel system" in the manual, and all it has is this:

1. Fuel tank must be full of fuel.
2. Loosen fuel return line (A). Loosen filter base bleed screw (B). Push priming pump (C) until fuel runs out smoothly without spitting, then tighten bleed screw (B).
3. Loosen injection pump bleed screw (D). Push priming pump (C) until fuel runs out smoothly without spitting, then tighten fuel return line (A) and bleed screw (D).

How do I bleed at other locations, and what are they? I found this discussion, but I'm not sure if it completely covers what you suggest.

Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

It's much easier to bleed air out of fuel system the fuller the tank is. Loosen bleed screw on inj. pump outlined in blue circle.then pump hand pump(parts key 3) on top of filter housing until you see air free fuel coming out of bleeder. Now attempt to crank engine. If engine won't start then one needs to bleed inj lines at injectors. CAUTION: Be careful not to get fingers close to spraying fuel as that can inject diesel under ones skin which is very bad requiring a trip to ER.

 

[BlaisePascal]

Great information. Thanks!

It's much easier to bleed air out of fuel system the fuller the tank is. Loosen bleed screw on inj. pump outlined in blue circle.then pump hand pump(parts key 3) on top of filter housing until you see air free fuel coming out of bleeder. Now attempt to crank engine. If engine won't start then one needs to bleed inj lines at injectors. CAUTION: Be careful not to get fingers close to spraying fuel as that can inject diesel under ones skin which is very bad requiring a trip to ER.

 

[Tx Jim]

You're welcome,Jim

 

[JD5210]

The following youtube video maybe of use.

For further reference on my 5210 (in this area same as your tractor). I fill up the tank, fill up the fuel filter, before putting on and never have I had to bleed the system in order for the tractor to start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxEDJiIdzcA

 

[BlaisePascal]

The video is very helpful. Thanks.

 

[BlaisePascal]

Well, it didn't work. I did all the steps below and pumped hundreds and hundreds of times, but fuel never ran out of either the filter base bleed or the injection pump bleed. It would sputter occasionally, but no flow. When I tried to crank it, I got the same behavior as yesterday: eventually crank and run for 15 seconds before slowly dying.
I removed the fuel/water filter and it was about full of fuel.
I noticed a few weeks ago when going through the previous owner's receipts that he had replaced the primer pump. It sure seems like the primer pump isn't working, but could it be something else causing this?

Thanks.

Joe,
Thanks for your reply.
I looked up "bleeding fuel system" in the manual, and all it has is this:

1. Fuel tank must be full of fuel.
2. Loosen fuel return line (A). Loosen filter base bleed screw (B). Push priming pump (C) until fuel runs out smoothly without spitting, then tighten bleed screw (B).
3. Loosen injection pump bleed screw (D). Push priming pump (C) until fuel runs out smoothly without spitting, then tighten fuel return line (A) and bleed screw (D).

How do I bleed at other locations, and what are they? I found this discussion, but I'm not sure if it completely covers what you suggest.

Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

Is fuel tank venting?? Sounds as if fuel tank outlet is plugged. I suggest to blow compressed air into fuel outlet on fuel tank. On difficult to bleed tractors I blow short bursts of compressed air into fuel tank filler neck using a shop rag the block open area of neck. This compressed air will force fuel through filter to inj pump.