TC40D fuel problem

Hieronymous · Mar 25, 2016

There I was, aerating a neighbour's football (soccer) pitch when, halfway though my TC40D died on me. Several curses were muttered and, on inspection, it was found that no fuel was coming through. Since there was no fuel at all I reckoned it had to be the fuel pump as I'd expect some sort of a trickle if was just a blockage.

So, off to the dealers for a new fuel pump which came the following day. £££

Fitted that and it made not the slightest bit of difference. Curiouser and curioser.

Came home and researched this site. Discovered what appeared to be the problem and it turned out to be something that I would never, ever have thought of.

Thanks to Jinman (his information still proves useful) I discovered that the seat safety switch affects the fuel cut-off solenoid. This made sense since I had a bit of gear behind the seat. Jiggled the wires about and found that fuel was coming from the bleed screw.

After spending all that time and money I'm not sure whether to be pleased or annoyed now.

A lesson learned anyway.

RDrancher · Mar 25, 2016

And that's one of the coolest things about forums like these. The knowledge freely given by those that possess it lives on, even when they're gone.

Hieronymous · Mar 25, 2016

RDrancher said:
And that's one of the coolest things about forums like these. The knowledge freely given by those that possess it lives on, even when they're gone.

Fully agree. From what I've read Jinman knew his stuff.

However, I haven't fully solved my own problem. The tractor fires up but immediately dies. Maybe I haven't fully purged it of air but I would've thought so.

Looking at your post #4 in this thread you say you unscrewed the fuel solenoid. What exactly did you mean? Unscrew it X number of turns? Or completely remove it? Or what, exactly?

EDIT: Having read one or two more similar threads I think I now understand. You unscrewed the solenoid 2 or 3 turns so that the plunger retracted more, as it were. Is that right?

EDIT 2: Forgot to say, Happy Easter. It is here anyway.

RDrancher · Mar 25, 2016

Happy Easter to you to.

On the solenoid, unplug the wire and unscrew the solenoid all the way. If the tractor starts and runs fine, it's a bad solenoid. To shut it off you have to screw the solenoid back in.

Hieronymous · Mar 26, 2016

Thanks. I'm going to get a fresh battery this morning as well (5:30 hours am o'clock here) as the current(!) one has seen better days.

That's got me to wondering if the battery isn't throwing the engine over with enough momentum for it to keep going.

Hieronymous · Mar 26, 2016

This is becoming increasingly frustrating. Put new battery on and unscrewed the solenoid. Made no difference.

I then bled the injectors and the tractor fired up. Increased revs and all was okay but only tempoarily. Revs went back to tickover of their own accord and then the engine died. Since when it won't start at all. On those occasions when it did fire it seemed to be 'surging'.

I note from another thread that "Gunk in the fuel tank is a not uncommon problem......" so I'll have to investigate that though I did get someone to blow back through the fuel pipe (I have no desire to drink diesel!!!). Didn't make any difference though.

I now have a headache.

jcl22 · Mar 26, 2016

Can you see fuel in the fuel filter. Is full to the top and stay there when you get the tractor running?
I have a tc45d. Had a fuel line clog up on mine had to replace line. I could also blow into line and hear it going back to tank but with fuel line off filter no fuel can out. If you have rubber line off fuel filter inlet fuel should run free flowing out!

Just a thought
Look for any wet areas around fuel system allowing air in system?

Qapla · Mar 26, 2016

There are two pumps on that tractor. There is a "fuel pump" located near the fuel filter between the tank and the filter. It is a mechanical pump. Is this the one you replaced?

There is also a "fuel injector pump", it is the one that the injector lines come from. It is VERY expensive. We had to have our rebuilt.

Sludge in the tank is a problem that can cause your problem. It is where I would start if you have eliminated the solenoid as a problem.

Hieronymous · Mar 26, 2016

The plan now is to tow the tractor back to our place on Easter Monday. Far from an ideal situation but it's a case of needs must.
Today (Sunday) I'll get my compressor and take that up to the ground so's I've got an airline and, then, go through the whole fuel system.

Unless it's one of the associated electrical/electronic items - which seems unlikely - then I agree it has be either a blockage and/or air in system

Hieronymous · Mar 26, 2016

Qapla said:
There are two pumps on that tractor. There is a "fuel pump" located near the fuel filter between the tank and the filter. It is a mechanical pump. Is this the one you replaced?

There is also a "fuel injector pump", it is the one that the injector lines come from. It is VERY expensive. We had to have our rebuilt.

Sludge in the tank is a problem that can cause your problem. It is where I would start if you have eliminated the solenoid as a problem.

Yes, that is the pump that I replaced. I hope to God it isn't the fuel injector pump. I can well imagine that being extremely expensive.

Hopefully, when I go through the fuel system I shall find the culprit.

Thanks for all the help. Appreciated.