Hi guys,
Hadn't run the L2500 for months, so I was getting it ready for tomorrow's predicted 6 inches. Charged the battery, it started right up, ran for a few seconds, then quit. Tried a couple more times, same result. Figured it was the fuel filter.
Picked up a new fuel filter this morning, a Carquest 86390, made by Baldwin filters. (Cross-references to a WIX 33390) Spun the old filter off, and there was no leakage - line from the tank was clogged...with ice. Looked inside the old filter, it's about 90% full with a block of ice.
I've owned this tractor for more than 2 years and haven't once looked at the fuel system before now. Shame, shame, shame...
I filled a 2-quart hand pump sprayer up with the hottest water I could get from the house tap and started irrigating. Pretty soon, I had a dribble of fuel at the filter connection. Spun on the new filter. Took the 1/8" rubber vent line off the injector pump and opened that air bleed valve. Let 'er run until I got a nice stream of clean fuel (no bubbles). Then, cracked the injector lines up top, and started cranking. Lots of cranking, lots of air bubbles. Finally got a weak stream with no air bubbles from #3, so I tightened them all down, and cranked her up. After she worked out all of the residual air, she settled down and ran smoothly. Ran it for about a half-hour to get things all warmed up and moving again.
When I get a nice day for some (outdoor) shop time, I'll change the fuel filter again, because it probably has more water in it again. And the rubber lines are hard as can be. I was afraid to touch them for fear of cracking them. All need replacing. Not sure yet where the water is getting in, but it could all be accumulated condensation as the tank level was low.
I'm just amazed that the tractor ran at all (before) with all that water in the filter.
That's what I get for leaving it outside, uncovered.
Shame, shame, shame...
-Paul
Hadn't run the L2500 for months, so I was getting it ready for tomorrow's predicted 6 inches. Charged the battery, it started right up, ran for a few seconds, then quit. Tried a couple more times, same result. Figured it was the fuel filter.
Picked up a new fuel filter this morning, a Carquest 86390, made by Baldwin filters. (Cross-references to a WIX 33390) Spun the old filter off, and there was no leakage - line from the tank was clogged...with ice. Looked inside the old filter, it's about 90% full with a block of ice.
I've owned this tractor for more than 2 years and haven't once looked at the fuel system before now. Shame, shame, shame...
I filled a 2-quart hand pump sprayer up with the hottest water I could get from the house tap and started irrigating. Pretty soon, I had a dribble of fuel at the filter connection. Spun on the new filter. Took the 1/8" rubber vent line off the injector pump and opened that air bleed valve. Let 'er run until I got a nice stream of clean fuel (no bubbles). Then, cracked the injector lines up top, and started cranking. Lots of cranking, lots of air bubbles. Finally got a weak stream with no air bubbles from #3, so I tightened them all down, and cranked her up. After she worked out all of the residual air, she settled down and ran smoothly. Ran it for about a half-hour to get things all warmed up and moving again.
When I get a nice day for some (outdoor) shop time, I'll change the fuel filter again, because it probably has more water in it again. And the rubber lines are hard as can be. I was afraid to touch them for fear of cracking them. All need replacing. Not sure yet where the water is getting in, but it could all be accumulated condensation as the tank level was low.
I'm just amazed that the tractor ran at all (before) with all that water in the filter.
That's what I get for leaving it outside, uncovered.
Shame, shame, shame...
-Paul
