TN60DA will not go above idle or take a load

BigDougSr · Jan 21, 2017

The tractor was used to cut several acres of dry weeds. Under normal circumstances this would have been a nominal task. Unfortunately the genius that filled the last tank of diesel left the cap off. After about four hours of operation the poor thing took its last gasp and choked out. After a thorough cleaning of the fuel filter bowl, a new filter, drain and flush the tank, new air filters (both) I got it fired back up. However; it idles smooth and there is no excess diesel rattle and the exhaust is clear. When I bump it off of idle to about 1000 RPM it starts to generate a little white smoke and runs rough. At about 1200 RPM it acts like it is really starving and starts to cycle like it is going to die and quite a bit of white smoke. Bring it back to idle and it stabilizes and smooth out. 1. Is there a debris trap that I don't know about? 2. How big of a job is it to pull the injectors? 3. Can enough debris get past the filter to cause a problem? 4.Is there a way to get the engine codes without a scan tool?

RickB · Jan 21, 2017

Clean the debris from the banjo fitting at the engine end of the supply line coming from the tank. If that is clear, replace the transfer pump; it may have garbage in the check valves.

There are no engine codes; it is a mechanical fuel system.

Debris cannot pas through an intact filter.

Leejohn · Jan 21, 2017

I would do as Rick said but 1st I would crack all injector lines to make sure I didn't have any air.

RickB · Jan 21, 2017

Leejohn said:
I would do as Rick said but 1st I would crack all injector lines to make sure I didn't have any air.

If it runs on 3 cylinders at idle it doesn't have air in the high pressure side of the system. It's starving for fuel.

Jerry/MT · Jan 21, 2017

I agree with RickB. Most likely your fuel flow is restricted. When you flushed the tank, did you clear the strainer at the tank outlet? Have you bled the fuel filter correctly? You need to get all the air out of the fuel filter so only fuel comes out of the bleed screw at the top of the filter bowl.