mechanical problem - can u diagnose?

[mdbarb]

I have a B21 with just 225 hours on it.
Yesterday I started it up and got about 50 yds down the road then it sputtered out like it ran out of gas.
I have 3/4 of a tank.
I took the hose off at the gas filter (on the gas tank side of the filter) and cranked the engine.
No gas coming out.
Does this mean I have a bad fuel pump? I am assuming the pump is in the tank.
What other troubleshooting steps should I take?
Thanks in advance team!

 

[sneaky_pete]

Make sure your fuel tank vent is not clogged; usually the cap itself is vented but I'm not sure on your tractor.

 

[Bob_Young]

You took the hose off on the gas tank side of the filter? I don't know anything about the B21, but it sounds like you have a clog where the line leaves the tank. No tractor I know of has a fuel pump in the tank, they're all gravity feed. In which case the fuel would run out as soon as you disconnected it from the filter. Could be different for the B21 I suppose.

Tank venting could be an issue, but doesn't seem likely. Did you hear air rushing in when you took the cap off to check for fuel? Does fuel flow with the tank cap off?

The clogged line scenario is fairly common where a tractor fuel tank is repeatedly filled from a 5 gallon can. My Ford 2000 does the exact same thing every few years. Usually half a thimbleful of grass blades is all it takes.
FWIW
Bob

 

[Egon]

Sounds like you should follow the fuel path ensuring there are no blockages or solenoids that have failed. Just start at the tank and work forward.

You may be able to see into the fuel tank. I check the bottom of mine quite regularly for debris but mine is for a different reason.

Egon

 

[mdbarb]

thanks to all so far it looks like I should check for a clog- I guess I'll take the hose off at the bottom of the tank and poke a wire in it.
Actually the gas cap is cracked around the edge (dunno how that happened) so venting isn't a problem - plus the tank is nearly full.
The fuel pump conclusion was from my MGB days.
I havn't looked under the hood on newer cars so my troubleshooting skills are deteriorating.
right now when I turn the key I get that rrruhrrrr rrrrruhrrrr sound (should include an audio clip here!) with a spuuter like it wants to kick in every so often.
If it was my old MGB I would take the spark plug out and watch for spark while cranking to eleiminate no spark as a problem - is this the next step for a diesel?
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Inspector507]

I have a whole train car load of diesel spark plugs. Which ones did you need?


Sorry, I could not resist. Diesels do not have spark plugs. They rely on compression, fuel and air to fire. However, if you have no fuel in the lines, I'd look for a clog in the tank first.

 

[Egon]

Most cars have the fuel pump in the tank.

Never had to worry about fuel in an MGB cause The king of darkness had made sure they did not run long enough to empty a tank. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

 

[theboman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Most cars have the fuel pump in the tank.
)</font>

This is the most stupid thing ever done by GM! I've had many fail, and the first two rarely had less than 1/4 tank of gas. The pumps cost $300+ and the labor is at least that to install, it's an all day job with the correct tools. The tank must be drained and dropped...

I have a vehicle I just purchased used (1998 Jimmy) and they are putting on the 3rd new fuel pump this week! I've put almost 500 miles on the vechicle since purchased last month.

 

[slowzuki]

Mdbarb,
Fuel should flow freely to the filter assembly on your machine. You should blow back towards teh tank with an air hose and see if you get some flow. This is temporary as the crud would still be in the tank.

The pump is in the injection pump and it will suck the filter dry. You will need to clear the blockage then follow the instructions in your manual for bleeding the engine.

On my Kubota L5030 it involves letting the filler fill, opening a plastic knob on the injection pump then starting and letting it run until it runs rough, then close the knob.

On many other tractors there are bleeder screws and other various things.

Bowman there is a high resistance in the wiring harness for your fuel pump. Almost guaranteed. The voltage drops and hte pump burns up, very common.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Most cars have the fuel pump in the tank.
)</font>

This is the most stupid thing ever done by GM! I've had many fail, and the first two rarely had less than 1/4 tank of gas. The pumps cost $300+ and the labor is at least that to install, it's an all day job with the correct tools. The tank must be drained and dropped...

I have a vehicle I just purchased used (1998 Jimmy) and they are putting on the 3rd new fuel pump this week! I've put almost 500 miles on the vechicle since purchased last month.
)</font>

 

[mdbarb]

I guess I should have put a /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif next to that last line.
I'm surprised it took acoupla hours for someone to catch it

 

[mdbarb]

That's probably true
I don't think I ever ran out of gas
I didnt have anything in the trunk but tools and wouldnt turn on the radio so I could listen for strange new mechanical sounds - couldn't let my date talk SSHHHH did you hear something?
Got to where I could replace the clutch after work with not much more than a 13 mm socket, tune the SU carbs by ear etc
When I put it up for sale, a lady wanted it badly but was offering too little. Each week she would come back offering $100 more - I would say no, something would break on Tuesday, I would fix it by Friday, she would come by on Saturday offering $100 more. We kept this up until she hit my price -SOLD see ya later.

 

[mdbarb]

clogged tank was the problem. blew some air into the hose, coup[la cranks and it started right up.
I'm surprisec I had enough crud to block it after only 225 hours. Now I guess I wll have to drain the tank, take it off and clean it out

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( clogged tank was the problem.)</font>

Good - a simple and cheap solution.

You might want to consider using a filtering funnel like Mr. Funnel to fill up from now on.

 

[N80]

I don't mean to hijak this thread, but since it is a 'fueling' issue I think this is still on topic. But what is the best way to refuel a tractor (haven't even finished a complete tank on my new tractor yet). Mine is an L4400 with the filler cap up on top of the hood. I bought two 5 gallon cans, and I'll get a big funnel (maybe one of those filtered ones).

I imagine you clean off the hood around the filler cap, open it, insert the funnel and pour. I can see how junk could blow in or something. But what are the alternatives? Most of us probably don't have farm fuel delivery (like my in-law), or even a bed mounted tank in our pickup. And I'd guess that the large majority of compact tractor owner do most of their fueling with 5 gallon cans. I've seen cheapo looking plastic hand pumps. Is that a better idea?

 

[Bird]

George, I think you're right about the way to refuel, unless you have a tank with a pump. The biggest problem I had with funnels was the fact that I couldn't see into the tank while pouring fuel, so it was pour a little, stop, lift the funnel, pour a little more, etc. or else not get it full or run it over. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[mdbarb]

I would recomend the widest funnel available. I don't think I have had a "perfect" pour yet.

I remember a post quite awhile back, I belive it was from Harv, that showed his 5 gal container up in a sling.

 

[btolle]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( And I'd guess that the large majority of compact tractor owner do most of their fueling with 5 gallon cans. )</font>

When I was younger I used 5 gallon cans. At 60 I now use 2 1/2 gallon cans /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bill Tolle