Mahindra 4500 runs good then not

[robbyr]

Father in law had a Mahindra 4500 til he passed several years ago. Doesn't get a lot of use. Mostly putting out a couple round bales each week. Recently was on it and it just started running very ragged then seemed to straighten up a bit then died. I don't know where the manual is and thought maybe it had air in the fuel lines? I'm not all that mechanically minded but I cracked the injectors and pumped on a manual pump and it would run fine. Few days later get on it and go out in pasture. Runs fine maybe ten minutes then starts this again. I do the same thing and am eventually able to put out hay. Today it died on me. Same ol song and dance. So if I can get it running good then it happens again in a few minutes maybe not air. Maybe fuel pump? Any ideas? Don't really wanna have to take it to a shop if it's something I might can do myself. Thanks in advance.

 

[countrybumpkin]

When is the last time the fuel filters have been changed? Also check to see if yours has a screen inside the tank, my moms Mahindra did the same thing and I had to drain the fuel out of the tank, then remove the fitting that screwed into the tank to get the screen out. It was stopped up pretty bad, i also had to clean out the inside of the tank too.

 

[BlackOps]

don't know much but maybe bad fuel or water in the fuel....

 

[Turbys_1700]

Change out the fuel filter and purge the system...
Mark the filter with the date you changed it...
This is most likely your issue...

 

[sixdogs]

Sounds like air in the lines. You probably also need the filter and fuel strainer changed as well.

I have seen small cracks develop in the rubber fuel lines of tractors that were infrequently used. Also, many tractors have a small, plastic "check valve" in the return line that can crack and leak air. I'm going with air leak.

 

[robbyr]

Has two filters. Local auto parts only had one last fall when I was discing. Just pulled those off. The fuel looked clean. Gonna go to town to see if can pick up a couple more. Hoping this is the problem. Not sure how to go about draining the tank or getting to a screen that is supposedly in it.

 

[Wacky]

Might be the fuel filter in the line by the tank. There apparently is a in- line filter in the hose on some of these and the line can collapse as well. That is what was wrong with a buddy of mine's 45 hp Mahindra. They replaced the line with a braided line.

Good luck

 

[sixdogs]

Don't over engineer the answer. Go with the easiest answer first and the lowest common denominator. Start with low probability things that don't create problems on top of problems. I have been there and in fact am now wrestling with an air in the line problem. Diesel fuel lines with air in them are tricky. Just my two cents on this.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Here is a pic of the tank screen, it's in the fitting, screwed into the bottom of your fuel tank were the fuel line attaches. You will have to remove the hose and drain the tank, then take the fitting out of the tank. It lists the serial numbers as to when they started using them on your 4500

 

[robbyr]

Well the tractor is running great now. But I have a feeling some of y'all are gonna scold me. Went to parts house and once again they only had one filter so I used it with the one I got last fall. The other one that had not been replaced was more of a paper filter. Guy at auto parts suggested I go ahead and drain fuel telling me fuel doesn't last long. The tank looks like it would take an act of congress to get to. There is a bleeder valve in line right below the tank so decided to unscrew it and let diesel run out. Except there was only a slow drip. Stuck a piece of wire up in it and fuel came out. Put it back together with fresh diesel and a little Lucas additive. Pumped the primer, turned the key, and it started right up. Hasn't run this good in awhile. So did I hit the screen that has been mentioned? If so I guess it can eventually stop it up again? At the moment I'm happy. Thanks for the input.