Oil & Fuel John Deere 5325 won't start

kjwright · Feb 19, 2015

Hello Folks,
My JD 5325 diesel tractor won't start. I was gathering wood while the tractor idled. It slowly began to idle more slowly and then quit altogether. After a bit, I was able to restart it but only for about 1 minute when it died again. It did that a few times and now it will not start at all. Turns over well but does not start. I thought the fuel filter might be fouled and changed it out, bled the system to no avail. I'm stumped. Any help much appreciated.
Yours, Ken

skyhook · Feb 20, 2015

How long "did' it run before stalling out and what was the temp outside.

kjwright · Feb 20, 2015

I had put on the block heater before starting it that day. Temp about 20 degrees F . It started right up and ran for about 10 minutes before stalling the first time. Then after sitting for a few minutes , it would start and run for 30 to 60 seconds 3 or 4 times and now cranks but won't fire at all like it is not getting fuel. With then I changed the filter the fuel oil in it looked OK. I bled the filter to get the air out to no avail. There is no reference in the maintenance manual about bleeding beyond the filter. Stumped. The temp has ranged from 10 to 25 degrees F since then.

square1 · Feb 20, 2015

20 F doesn't sound cold enough to cause a problem. Are there any screens at the tank outlet or in-line upstream of the filter?

Dave M7040 · Feb 20, 2015

If the fuel gelled or their was water restricting fuel flow it may be necessary to bleed the system to get it to start.
A bit like running out of fuel.
Dave M7040

skyhook · Feb 20, 2015

It does sound like fuel gelling to me.
Once you get it warmed up (with heat) you could crack open an injector line to bleed, unless your machine has a bleed valve on it.
A shot of either would get it going also.
I'm sure once it warms up it will be fine, IMO.

JD5210 · Feb 20, 2015

Your problem could be in several different areas. Looking at the maintenance manual for the 5325 (URL to manual included), you have the same fuel filter as in the included video. His problem was in the primer pump. Looking at JDparts it looks like you have a fuel transfer pump, but the manual does say to have a full tank of fuel when bleeding. It also helps to fill the fuel filter before putting on.

Both for bleeding and starting I would leave the fuel cap off, in case the tank is not venting correctly.

The fuel line could be bad, but I suggest you try the above items first.

Leaving no stone unturned check the fuses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxEDJiIdzcA
http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMRE260580_19/?tM=FR
http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMRE260579_19/?tM=FR
John Deere - Parts Catalog

kjwright · Feb 20, 2015

Not sure about upstream filters. The fuel tank fill is in the back of the tractor and it's too freaking cold to spend much time outside right now. I don't have parts diagram.

kjwright · Feb 20, 2015

This is a new tractor to me bought with 1700 hours on the clock. It had been sitting for a while before I bought it this summer. I have filled the tank up a couple of times. I can't even see where the injectors are but I am working on it. I don't know if there is a down stream bleeder but there is fuel coming out of the fuel filter bleeder and I did fill the filter with fuel prior to putting it on and bleeding it. I want to thank you all for the help. Keep it coming. Today it's 10 degrees F. with 2 feet of snow on the ground. Won't be spending too much time on it today.

JD5210 · Feb 20, 2015

If you go John Deere parts catalog URL supplied in earlier thread, you can look up how the tank and fuel lines look.

You might want to go to selectmanuals.com a downloadable version of the tech manuals can be purchased.

Looking at the JD site on manuals looks like you need TM2187 and TM2197.

John Deere Ag - New Equipment: Technical Publications - Equipment List