Requesting Assistance Priming a 1995 Bobcat 553.

[Mountain Bobcat]

I've tipped my bobcat over for the third time in 15 years. Upon returning my baby back to its feet, I always: leave it sit for a couple days: check the oil level: check the fluids.

Dirt on the Flywheel. Once tipped back up on its feet, you must remove the starter (very easy) and manually turn the flywheel by hand using either a screwdriver or a dull wood chisel. If not, personal experience has shown that you will burn up the starter. When tipped back up, a small amount of dirt/gravel ends up on a few select teeth of the flywheel. The starter will grind past the dirt/gravel, but then won't have enough power to start the bobcat. Time for a new starter. Alternately, if you turn the flywheel by hand, the dirt will fall off without destroying the starter.

I could use some help priming. Specifically, I have no fuel in the fuel filter. Moreover, when I manually pump the black primer bulb, there is no fuel in the bulb. I have added sufficient amounts of fuel. I have opened the thumb screw to allow air to flow. I have removed the oil cap to allow air to flow. I have loosened the diesel tank cap to allow air to flow. I have loosened the three injector caps to allow air to flow.

Can someone confirm that I should have a gravity fee from the near bottom of the fuel tank to the black primer bulb? Given that I have no fuel at the bulb, my best guess at the moment is that I have junk in the bottom of the tank which is blocking fuel to the black primer bulb. If so, how would I clean it out? Any other troubleshooting ideas would be greatly appreciated. I love my bobcat!

 

[SSdoxie]

The fuel is drawn up from bottom of tank through a pickup tube coming out the top of the tank. That tube maybe damaged. First take the hose of the inlet side of the primer bulb, put thumb over end of the bulb and squeeze it checking or good bulb function.
If bulb tests OK, then follow the fuel line back to tank to locate the suction fitting. Two fittings going into top of the tank, one is suction out the other is fuel return in. The fitting is barbed fitting going through a rubber grommet, pull up while twisting to remove the inspect the tube.

 

[sandman2234]

I know nothing about Bobcats... however, I have noticed that priming a system "usually" is easier to do if you start with a full tank of fuel. The drawback, is if you have something else wrong that requires you to empty the tank, it is harder to do after you added all that fuel!
David from jax