TC24D losing power after 30min or so. currently while snowblowing

[Thirim]

I have a 2006 TC24d with around 400hrs on it. This problem has been happening for awhile but I thought I had it solved in the summer with a fuel filter change. Now it's back!
I'll use the tractor for half an hour or so and suddenly it will drop in power and I'll quickly catch the stall with the clutch and after a few min of choice words it picks itself back up but can only drive a few dozen feet. After it's sitting it seems to be good for a bit. As we speak it's cooling off in my neighbour's driveway and I'm cooling off in front of my computer lol.
Here's the knowns
-fuel filter changed in July. It was very gummed up. I think original filter. My fault but my first tractor and I've owned it for about 50hrs of use.
-primary thought line at first was gas cap. Most use of the tractor is in the winter so at first I thought it may be iced up. I've checked it, air will pass through it and has been blown out several times. (this was last winter)
-when fuel filter changed, injectors were bled and worked great all fall until tonight.
-can't tell the colour of smoke but suspect normal or perhaps on the white side but really hard to tell as I can't get off the tractor and I have a cab. Def not black.
Air filter has been checked and is not clogged, hasn't been changed (happening this week on spec) but I can see through it and no excess dust. It's cleaner than my car air filter lol
- when issue presents itself it hunts on the idle from 100-200rpm up to 1000 or so. It slowly finds itself. I find reducing the throttle brings it back quicker but we're still talking minutes.
-Idle hunting is the same as when I bled the injectors so I have myself convinced it's a fuel issue.

-Temperature today is 3deg C .. aka 37F. it snowed this morning and then rained so I have a soupy mess. It's going down to -11C (12F) tonight so I wanted to get the slop off the driveway (im on a hill) before it was a skating rink.
SO it's not overly cold out.

I know there are lots of things I haven't tried, I'm looking to get schooled on it before I start throwing parts at it or tearing it apart. It doesn't help that it has a homemade cab and non-factory loader. (believe me, never make the mistake of that again) .. OH and we're having a very mild winter and this is the 2nd time I've used the tractor this winter, this week. Both times not much snow, although it's more soup today lol.

Any advice/help is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Thirim]

Update, air filter doesn't look great. Let tractor sit, topped up fuel with new diesel, ran fine for another 20-30min .. this time since I knew the air filter didn't look wonderful, I pulled it and left just the inner filter. I tried it and it was basically no different. Got my neighbour's driveway clear enough that he can use it. Tractor sleeps for the night and then I'll try some stuff tomorrow. I also had a look at the fuel filter. It looks great and no difference in colour which indicated to me it's all fuel. I added a little Methyl Hydrate during my top up just to make sure.

 

[aczlan]

Might be some junk floating in the bottom of the tank plugging the outlet.
If it was colder, I would say possibly gelling, but you should be warm enough for that to not be an issue.

Aaron Z

 

[Thirim]

Just found a parts diagram for the tank. I'm going to see if I can pull it to check. Hopefully the cab or the cab heater hoses aren't in the way.

 

[aczlan]

Before you pull the tank, try replacing the filter just in case...

Aaron Z

 

[Halftrack]

Before you start replacing parts, drain the tank and observe for any obstructions while draining. If none, replace the fuel with fuel from a different source. If possible, especially this time of year with the cold temps, obtain premium diesel from a fuel supplier. You may have to call around to find it. Bleed at the filter inlet until no bubbles and try that. Good luck, ht

 

[Thirim]

without looking at the tank, is there a drain or should I pull the filter and drain through it?
Unfortunately here in rural Nova Scotia Canada, we have diesel and diesel. There is no premium to be had lol.

 

[Halftrack]

If you can drain it through the filter easily, do that. Doing that will also give you a chance to observe for flow restrictions. Your issues match the common problem of gasoline mixed in with your diesel. So the easy first step is to replace the fuel with diesel from a different source.

 

[dqdave1]

Change filter again; rebleed system. Don't run it without outer air cleaner.; If it begins to falter; remove fuel filler cap and see if it runs again ( clogged vent). Could be injector issue also.

 

[AndyG]

My original thought was "clogged vent" but it sounds like you have already checked that. I think that you may have a partial obstruction of the fuel supply. I've had this trouble on antique tractors before. Sometimes debris, dirt, or rust will partially clog the fuel line or intake at the bottom of the tank. My TC40D has a rubber hose running from the fuel tank to the filter. I'll assume that your TC24 is the same. Get a clean container at least 2 quarts capacity. Disconnect the rubber hose where it enters the filter housing. Let the fuel run into the container for awhile. It should stay a large steady stream into your container. If there is a strong stream of fuel here then keep looking downstream. The filter may be clogged or even a piece of junk in the valve on the filter housing. If the stream is small or slows down there is a blockage upstream of the filter. The easiest thing to do is the blow into the end of the hose (back toward the tank) with compressed air. Loosen the tank cap first then blow into the end of the hose with a few short blasts of air. You should hear bubbles in the tank. Do NOT apply a continuous blast of 100psi air or you could damage the hose or tank and have a really big mess on your hands. I've even done this by blowing into the hose with my mouth but it leaves a very nasty taste. Now check the flow from the hose again. If this does not work the hose may be pinched or collapsed and need replacing. OR there may be a stubborn blockage in the tank and you will have to take it off and clean it. Sometimes a piece of plastic bag or a leaf will fall into the tank and cause occasional blockages of fuel flow.
P.S. A dirty air filter will give you trouble from first start up.