Newbie - 5740 wont start

PaTerp · Jan 25, 2016

Right in the middle of the big snowstorm, 5740 wont start. Ran all day yesterday, then my brother in law borrowed it to do his driveway. He said it sputtered going up a hill, so he turned around and came back. It was low on fuel, but not empty. This morning I added fuel, started up and ran for a few minutes, then cut off. Now it wont re-start. Is it possible that there is air in the line? How can I tell if the pump is pumping fuel?

Any help would be appreciated....still have to dig out the mother in law!

sweettractors · Jan 25, 2016

Fuel gelled? My JD 855 did that same thing yesterday. I added more power serve and topped off the tank with treated diesel. Works fine today while moving snow. Ken Sweet

PaTerp · Jan 26, 2016

I don't think its gelled. I draped tarps around the the tractor and directed a torpedo heater underneath the tractor for 20 minutes....to no avail. I also added some of the 911 power serve.

jeff9366 · Jan 26, 2016

Fuel gauges on tractors are not perfectly accurate because tractor fuel tanks are generally irregularly shaped, which a float cannot interpret. Because the tractor started to stutter going up a slope while low on diesel, this is a likely cause.

It may be you have ice on the seat-safety-interlock switch, under the seat, however ice should hold it closed, which is the position it needs to be in for the tractor to run. But perhaps ice is holding it open.....just enough.

LINK TO HELPFUL VIDEOS ON U-TUBE: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=how+to+bleed+fuel+line+on+kubota+tractor

TSO · Jan 26, 2016

I'm suspecting debris blocking a line. It's never advised to use the fuel at the bottom of the tank, as that is where all of the sediment, which accumulates over time, settles. Running the tractor uphill while low on fuel would be a good way to suck in that dirty fuel.

I'd try changing the filter, filling the tank with good clean fuel, adding a little SeaFoam to the tank, and let it clean itself.

the old grind · Jan 26, 2016

A bypass/return line typically connects injectors so that only one needs cracked to bleed them all. (shouldn't be needed for common rail injectors as the rail has a return path that purges air, example: our cars/trucks)

This is simple enough to be a first step whenever fuel has run extremely low or lines were opened anywhere going back to tank. I seem to have to do it every time I change a fuel filter

rolleyes

but that's to smooth out the rough running I must be causing tho' it always works. I don't operate on hills much but hate to see the fuel gauge show less than 1/4 tank. The symptoms sound so familiar ... tog

PaTerp · Jan 26, 2016

I bled the injectors, not getting any fuel. I noticed a solenoid on the pump....any chance that's bad?

PaTerp · Feb 6, 2016

I installed an in-line electric pump. Get fuel to the injector pump, but nothing at the injectors. I'm trying to bleed just one injector, the one furthest from the pump, and I'm not getting anything. I crank for 10-15 seconds, rest, try again. Nothing. Should I just continue? Has anyone tried to pull the tractor in gear to start it? Not sure that would work in my case, but maybe worth a try?

PaTerp · Feb 8, 2016

Finally...got it. I narrowed it down to the feed pump. Was getting fuel to the inlet side, but nothing coming out going to the fuel filter, and the hand primer was pumping anything. I took it off and found a small fuel filter/screen that was caked in mud. Got it all back together and primed....purring like a kitten.

TSO · Feb 8, 2016

PaTerp said:
Finally...got it. I narrowed it down to the feed pump. Was getting fuel to the inlet side, but nothing coming out going to the fuel filter, and the hand primer was pumping anything. I took it off and found a small fuel filter/screen that was caked in mud. Got it all back together and primed....purring like a kitten.

Great news!