Losing power

[RSKY]

I used my CK20S to clear off our little road today. Also cleared the driveway of anybody out shoveling. Then the little beast started loosing power. It would go from wide open to an idle and slowly pick back up. I pulled the blade up and drove home and parked it. I intended to check the fuel filter after warming up but went to sleep and my wife let me sleep. When I woke up it was dark. Anybody else having this problem or a similar one?

 

[Phillip w]

I think the fuel filter would be a good place to start. Lot of guys seem to be having trouble this winter.

 

[jbrumberg]

RSKY- There are a lot of threads and posts currently active about cold weather challenges for diesel tractors with water in their fuel and/or fuel gelling. It's a common problem involving the grade of diesel fuel in the tank, degree of water contamination if any, water preventive measures, and the additives presently used in the tank fuel in these colder operating temperatures. There are a lot of solutions.

 

[kthompson]

Sounds like either something interrupting fuel or air supply.

 

[RSKY]

Gonna go get a fuel filter first thing in the morning. Also a little kerosene to put in the tank. The tank holds 5 1/4 gallons. How much kerosene should I put in? Would a quart be enough for a full tank? It will be between 5F and 15F when I crank it in the morning.

Also worried because I usually leave a magnetic heater under the crankcase for a couple hours before I start it. And since this fall it has been in it's new enclosed home and the heater seems to do the job while out of the wind.

RSKY

 

[Phillip w]

I think I'd go with 1/2 gallon to maybe a gallon on the kerosene. Might just pick up a white bottle of power service or howes diesel supplement and add that. As far a heat goes, if you can get electricity to it, a heat lamp on the fuel lines, filter and injector pump, then cover it with a tarp works fairly decent. It is the fuel system that you want to heat up/keep warm. It you get it running just let it run. About 1200 rpms or so. Don't try to move it or anything. Just let it run say 30-45 minutes. Even if it is up to operating temp, just let it run. This will allow the kerosene/and or supplement to get mixed in with the fuel pretty good. It also allows the engine to create enough heat that the heat will help warm the fuel tank and fuel system. Good luck.

 

[RSKY]

I had been using it for a couple hours when it started trying to shut down. That's why I think there is water in the filter. That has happened a couple times in the summer before. It has been sitting unused for a month or six weeks but the tank was filled to the brim. Anyway I'm going to get the new filter first thing tomorrow. Already have a couple more requests to clear driveways on the Facebook Neighborhood Watch.

 

[jbrumberg]

RSKY- It's probably water. It could be debris. You should also consider purchasing a Mr. Filter. It is a fuel/water separating funnel that you use to fill the tank. They really work. They do leave some diesel fuel residue behind in the funnel bowl.

 

[RSKY]

Got my filters. Brother in law said get the 911 additive but the guy at NAPA said not to. Said use some other stuff in a white bottle. It was also much cheaper. Got home and the washing machine had flooded the utility room. We thought the drain was frozen but turned out to be something else. Actually a small rock behind the filter which I cleaned out two days ago. So I am finally about to go out and see if it will run.

Oh yeah, I put my little magnetic heater on the fuel tank for a couple hours. NAPA guy said that would probably do more good than additive.

RSKY

 

[jbrumberg]

PowerService is formulated to remove water. It does not lower the cloud point/gell point like the White bottle. It is not recommended to use the 911 regularly; only as needed. I use the White bottle year round usually as recommended.

I had a magnetic block heater. I never really felt that it generated that much heat, and it was impossible to mount directly to an aluminum block engine.