My first tractor has problems

mstan99999 · Apr 19, 2006

Hi everybody!!
I was given a NorTrac NT204C with a 20 hp diesel engine. It is 2 years old and had 35 hours on it. When I got it the battery was completely flat. I put a new battery on it, changed the fuel filter, and cleaned out the sediment bowl. now it seems to be getting very little fuel pressure. I filled the fuel filter and it ran until that was gone. I have pumped the primer by the fuel filter until my thumb is sore. Am I missing something? Unfortunatly, I didn't get any manuals with the tractor and almost everything written on it is in chinese. The petcock has three positions. Two seem to be on and one is off. Does it matter which on position I use? Please forgive my ignorance. Thank You!!! Mstan

RonMar · Apr 19, 2006

After changing out the fuel filter, did you bleed all the air out of ALL the fuel lines, particularly the lines between the injector pump and the injectors? The injectors fire by the pressure(hydraulic) from the injector pump. If there is air in those lines, it will compress the air instead of transmitting the pressure/force to the injector and the injector won't spray.

Search this chinese forum, there are several threads with info and hints on bleeding the air out of the system.

If in doubt of the fuel petcock position, disconnect the line out of the bowl strainer and determine which position allows fuel to flow. Traditionally, when the petcock handle is in line with the pipe it is attached to(pipe out of bottom of fuel tank), fuel will flow. When it is perpendicular or across the line it is in, the valve is closed.

SPIKER · Apr 19, 2006

what ronmar said is good, though on MY particular jinma ( a 284) it is actually ON when the handel of the little petcock valve is across the flow, (traditionally the OFF postion on stuff) BUT I guess they drilled mine OFF? lol. similar situation and I found it when taking bowl off the fuel would run OUT when it was in off spot. and nothing when the on spot. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

also make sure the fuel filter is good on there.

markM

bluechip · Apr 19, 2006

Be sure you open a bleeder while pumping start with the bleed valve on top of the fuel filter, then the ring on the injector pump. twist it counter clockwise a half turn and pump, when the fuel is clear (no bubbles). There is a strainer screen in the banjo bolt attaching the hose from the sedement bowl to the lift pump (under the plunger).. wait, you may have an old 2 cylinder 204? if so some of this may not apply, the principle is the same...

mstan99999 · Apr 20, 2006

Thanks for all of the info. I think I'll look for those bleeders first and go from there. I'll let you know how it comes out. Any clue where i can get a manual for this machine? I have tried Northern as well as Nortrac. Neither seems to have a clue about how to get one. Each told me to call the other. The "tech" I spoke with at Nortrac told me to replace the injector pump and it would cost $400.00 for the part. I'm goint to exhaust every other option before I drop any cash.
Again, thanks a ton!!!

bruce1966us · Apr 20, 2006

If the tractor will run until the fuel filterl is empty, it has nothing to do the the injection pump!!!

greg_g · Apr 20, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If the tractor will run until the fuel filterl is empty, it has nothing to do the the injection pump!!! )</font>

True. But since they're driven by a common gearset, I don't think you can buy just the fuel pump component of the fuel delivery assembly. Three hundreds bucks buys an assembly that consists of both the injection pump AND the fuel pump

//greg//

Affordable · Apr 21, 2006

We have a set of the manuals for the tractor and engine,also check the petcock for debris,take the 2- small screws out I have seen alot of debris in this valve which causes the type of problems you are having.If the tractor will run while you are pumping the primer it's not the pump

Tommy
Affordable tractor Sales
Bellville,Texas

greatrandini · Apr 21, 2006

Agreed! The fuel filter bowl should not empty. I suspect setiment in the peacock, lines or tank......Assuming he has tried the peacock in all positions.....

mstan99999 · Apr 27, 2006

Well guys, nothing worked. I primed everything I could find. I it ran like a top for about 45 seconds and then died. I'm at a loss. I know it has power and air. All that's left is fuel. I know it's gotta be getting fuel. The sediment bowl never emptys and when I emptied it out, it filled again. Any ideas?
Thanks!!