SC2400 Stalling / Won't re-start

[Chris Gurciullo]

I have a CCY SC2450 with 40 hours on it. I pull a 5 foot finish mower - have been for 8 months with out trouble. But recently after mowing for a while the engine stalled. I could re-start it - but it would idle very rough (and low - about 500 rpm). Moving the throttle had no effect (i.e. engine stayed at a rough 500 rpm even at full throttle - sometimes would bounce up to 2000 rpm but then would drop back down). Waited several hours and it started fine. Mowed a few more hours and everything seemed fine but then the same thing happened again. Only thing I could think of was that it was a bit warmer than usual (~ 90 F and most of my prior mowing activity was at 80 F or less)... Note that the over-temp light did NOT come on so maybe its not related to temperature...

Any thoughts?

 

[devildog1]

Sounds like a fuel issue, check and or clean fuel filter.
DevilDog

 

[gtrippleb]

Chris,

Did you ever figure out what was causing your problem? I've got around 106 hours on mine and it's been doing this for a couple of weeks now. I thought maybe I had it figured out when I replaced the fuel filter but it ran good for about 30 minutes or so and then lost power and idled rough and then quit. Now I can't get it restarted. This happened this afternoon. I've replaced the fuel filter and the fuel seperator. I noticed when I replaced the fuel filter that there was some crude in it so I'm wondering if maybe I have a blocked line somewhere.

It was catching for a few seconds like it's burning some left over fuel and then it will quit. Now all mine does is just turn over. There's fuel in the filter and in the fuel seperator so it seems like fuel is getting to those items. I just have to figure out what's going on.

I noticed that the engine was making a noise and when I replaced the air filter, I noticed that the bracket that holds the airfilter housing had broken. The engine must have been doing some major vibrating to break that bracket.

 

[gordyy]

depending on the actual build date some of those filter brackets were bad my first one broke at about 6 hrs was replaced with one about twice the thickness.
did you change your filter? or pull the seperator and drain that?

 

[Gator6x4]

Have you tried loosening the fuel tank filler cap when the engine stops operating normally to see if the vent is clogged in the fuel cap?

 

[gtrippleb]

I bought my tractor in Sept. of 2009 but I don't know how long it sat on the dealer's lot. So it's possible I got one of the thin brackets.

I changed the fuel seperator awhile back. I thought maybe I had re-installed it wrong but the tractor worked fine after I replaced it awhile back. When I looked at it this weekend it looked fine. I changed the oil around 100 hours, I know kind of late on the schedule. I changed the fuel filter this weekend as I had not changed it since buying new. When I took off the fuel filter and looked at it, there was what looked like sand/mud in it. It wasn't a whole lot but enough to question where it came from. So I'm thinking that my tank might be clogged. I noticed when I unhooked the line to the fuel filter that diesel didn't flow continously but maybe it shouldn't?

Around the time I changed the oil I purchased diesel at a different place than I normally do. I normally buy diesel at a citgo station in town that 18 wheelers fill up. There is no place that I'm aware of that sells off road diesel close by and I try and support the local store owners versus ones that have multiple stores around the tri-county. This time I bought diesel at an exxon station that caters to cars/pickups. I don't know if this has anything to do with it or not though but that's around the time it started to start rough.

That day I filled up the tractor and then my wife used it for most of the day. It then sat for a week until I went to use it the following Saturday. That's when I noticed it starting to have a hard time starting and when it did start it would idle rough around 500-1000 rpm so I would let it warm up for a few minutes until it caught up to speed. I normally let it idle for a few minutes after I start it so letting it idle isn't anything new. Once I got it running what seemed like normal, it would run for probably about 30 minutes or so and then loose power with the rpms going from around 1500 - 2000 down to 500 - 1000 rpms. After a few minutes it would then do it again. Only once had it cut off before this weekend at which time I was able to restart it after a few tries. This time when it quit, I can't restart it.

This weekend it started rough so I figured it was time to change the fuel filter as I had read that a clogged fuel filter could cause the symptoms. So I changed the fuel filter, emptied the water/seperator and went to start it again after turning the key to the first position to what sounds like the the fuel pump pumping fuel for about 30 seconds or so, it started like it had been where it tries to turn over but doesn't fully catch or when it does catch it idles rough and then quits. After a few tries it took off and I was able to use it long enough to move a small 6x10 chicken coup. Then I drove it in the woods a little ways and started digging a hole to bury some dead guineas. That's when it dropped to around 500 rpms and then finally quit. I tried turning it over and it would sputter for a little bit and then die. I couldn't get it restarted after that so I left it in the woods and haven't had a chance to get back to it yet as yesterday it rained and tonight I didn't get home in time to play with it much.

This is what I have done so far.

1. I've replaced the water/fuel seperator awhile back. I took it off this past weekend and dumped what fuel was in there out and things looked ok. I'm heading to the dealer Saturday to pick up some parts I ordered and will pick up another one just to have on hand.
2. I changed the fuel filter on Sunday. Again there was a small amount of sand/sludge in it. Which leads me to believe that maybe this is in the tank and clogging the lines.
3. I changed the Air Filter this past weekend as the old was kind of dirty. That's when I noticed the bracket was broken.
4. I changed the battery thinking maybe from trying to turn over the engine it had gotten week. The battery was 3yrs old anyway so figured why not.
5. I changed the oil around 100 hours, there's 106 on it now and double checked the level as I had read that if there was to much oil, it could cause similar symptoms. The oil is still clear and it's in the middle of the low and high mark.
6. I looked at the gas cap but didn't I didn't do anything when the tractor was running. I only took it off after it quit to see if I could see anything that looked out of ordinary which I didn't notice anything.

My plan is to drain the tank tomorrow night if I get the time and see what happens after that. I would have thought that by disconnecting the line that goes to the fuel filter that diesel would have flowed freely through the fuel line but maybe not. According to my fuel gage I have about a half tank full. I thought about ordering a new fuel pump just in case but with it being $126, I figured if I couldn't get the tractor running after draining the tank, I would then replace the fuel pump. The bad thing about that is that it will more than likely take a week before I can get the part to try and troubleshoot.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[gtrippleb]

I unkooked the fuel line at number 27 and then stuck a piece of wire in the nipple on the gas tank as I wasn't getting any fuel to come out. Once I did that fuel poured out like I turned a faucet on. I let it drain for a few seconds and then put the hose and clamp back on. It started right up and idled fine. I'll see how it runs and then decide if I'm going to drain the tank completely and then try and clean out the tank.

There's three 12mm nuts towards the front and two 12mm bolts, one on each side, that hold the pan on that covers the tank.

 

[Gods Country]

I would say without a doubt you have a fuel issue, which you know.
100hr in three years is not much run time. Sometimes not using something is worse than using it hard.

Since you run the tractor infrequently I would start it once a week and run it for at least 15 minutes at around 2k rpm’s after a sufficient warm up.

 

[gtrippleb]

I would say without a doubt you have a fuel issue, which you know.
100hr in three years is not much run time. Sometimes not using something is worse than using it hard.

Since you run the tractor infrequently I would start it once a week and run it for at least 15 minutes at around 2k rpm痴 after a sufficient warm up.

I definitely agree about the somteimes not using something is worse than using it hard. Now that I'm home, I used to work out of state during the week and only home on the weekend, I'll be using it more often so I should be able to resolve the fuel issue by using it more. I have quite a few projects lined up this fall/winter so I should be able to keep it busy.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I just moved my 16ft landscape trailer and raked up some leaves with it without any issues. I then parked it and let it sit for about 30 minutes or so. My wife then jumped on it and it started right up. So I'm thinking I might be ok for now.

 

[Chris Gurciullo]

Just an FYI (since I started this thread) - I never did find out what the problem was... It hasn't happened since. I think the engine was a bit hot and that might have had something to do with it (cold it always ran fine). But in any case - haven't had the problem return....

 

[ProdaddyTX]

This certainly sounds like a vaccuum lock, and gtrippleb's experience supports that theory. I've seen crud in the lines, clogged filter, clogged breather, or collapsed rubber fuel line all cause a similar situation.

 

[gtrippleb]

This certainly sounds like a vaccuum lock, and gtrippleb's experience supports that theory. I've seen crud in the lines, clogged filter, clogged breather, or collapsed rubber fuel line all cause a similar situation.

There was crud in my fuel filter and since I unplugged the line from the tank and replaced the fuel filter, I haven't had any problems. My wife spent a few hours chipping limbs this past weekend and raking up leaves with the dethatcher I had my father in-law build for me. We've put 12 hours on the tractor since I changed the fuel filter and unplugged the fuel tank with no issues. So I would say my issue has been resolved.

Greg

 

[tycen]

I unkooked the fuel line at number 27 and then stuck a piece of wire in the nipple on the gas tank as I wasn't getting any fuel to come out. Once I did that fuel poured out like I turned a faucet on. I let it drain for a few seconds and then put the hose and clamp back on. It started right up and idled fine. I'll see how it runs and then decide if I'm going to drain the tank completely and then try and clean out the tank.

There's three 12mm nuts towards the front and two 12mm bolts, one on each side, that hold the pan on that covers the tank.

I know this is an old post, but just wanted to say thanks. I had the exact same issue on my SC2400 and couldn't figure it out - I had replaced all the fuel hosing and replaced the little pump, but it wasn't until I disconnected it at the tank and poked some wire up in there that I was able to get it unclogged. It was a pain to get to with the mower deck on, but I finally got it and the tractor is running great now.

 

[Chris Gurciullo]

I struggled with this for a few years on and off - made it very hard to pin down. Eventually I found that the fuel line was kinked in one spot (the fuel line wasn't routed properly at the factory - right near the front axle). In cold weather I guess the rubber line was hard enough to maintain it's shape, but once things got warm the rubber collapsed and kinked - cutting off fuel to the engine. I cut out the kinked part and replacement with a rigid elbow and it's worked flawlessly for years.

 

[blacktruck]

Way late to the party here. I have a 2010 SC2450. It has been flawless for several years for me. Sad to say I only used it sporadically as most of the time since then I was either overseas or out of state on work projects. This summer it died while mowing one day. No start, check fuel, check safeties and didn't find any issues. As I am back on the road and away, it is at the dealer. I looked and checked and tightened everything I could find to no avail. I really don't remember looking st the fuel line mentioned above but I probably did. I am hoping the dealer comes through this week to let me know what I missed. I think they are a good tractor but unfortunately got left out in the split between Yanmar and Cub Cadet.

 

[blacktruck]

I know this is an old post, but just wanted to say thanks. I had the exact same issue on my SC2400 and couldn't figure it out - I had replaced all the fuel hosing and replaced the little pump, but it wasn't until I disconnected it at the tank and poked some wire up in there that I was able to get it unclogged. It was a pain to get to with the mower deck on, but I finally got it and the tractor is running great now.

Is there a fitting or adapter in the bottom of the tank or just a plastic nipple where the hose attaches?

I struggled with this for a few years on and off - made it very hard to pin down. Eventually I found that the fuel line was kinked in one spot (the fuel line wasn't routed properly at the factory - right near the front axle). In cold weather I guess the rubber line was hard enough to maintain it's shape, but once things got warm the rubber collapsed and kinked - cutting off fuel to the engine. I cut out the kinked part and replacement with a rigid elbow and it's worked flawlessly for years.

Reading the above messages in this thread makes me wonder if this is not the problem with my tractor. I have contacted the dealer and so far have no real answers to the question of why it dies. I'm a big diesel engine type of guy and the symptoms I am hearing about sure seem to be an indicator for a sudden fuel starvation. I have not seen the tractor since all of this started so I am operating on hearsay. Today I will go to the dealer since my call and email have not been answered.