L4200 GST sputters and dies?

[mn4x4]

I have had my L4200GST since 1994 and love it, but lately it started acting up. Sometimes it is OK, but other times it sputters and dies for no apparent reason. I have:

Verified that fuel tank is FULL (right now. this has occurred over multiple tanks)
Replaced the fuel filter
Replaced the air filter
Bled the lines - more later

Yesterday it died and won't start again. I removed (at the tank end) the hose that goes down to the fuel 111filter. When I crank the engine, no fuel comes out of the 'stub' that the hose attaches to, so I guess I understand why it isn't running - but I don't know the cause.

Ideas, anyone? What should I check next?

 

[mn4x4]

I should also mention that when it was running prior to dying it ran at idle, but died under load. I guess a lack of fuel would explain that, huh?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Are you saying the stub off the bottom of the tank?
There are usually 2 outlets on is feed and second is return, double check you are working with the right outlet.
Something is plugging it up, block the return port or hose, and try putting a little air pressure (5 to 10 lbs max) in the inlet of the tank to see if you can blow something out of the outlet.
If that doesn't work do the reverse and see if you can blow back into the tank, then pull the tank and clean it out.

 

[mn4x4]

On my tank the two 'stubs' are at the same height on the side of the tank. Obviously one is the inlet and one is the outlet. I *assumed* the outlet goes down to the fuel filter - or at least that made sense to me.

AFAI can tell, there isn't any outlet at the bottom of the tank?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You need to dive into it a little deeper, the top 2 stubs are returns, there is one at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Bluegill]

Probably need to clean out the tank. Crap growing in the fuel and plugged up the outlet. Start treating your fuel...

 

[mn4x4]

You need to dive into it a little deeper, the top 2 stubs are returns, there is one at the bottom of the tank.

View attachment 11592

OK - I will dig into that tomorrow and report back.

 

[mn4x4]

OK - color me stupid!

I went back out today after the rain quit and flowed the fuel flow from the tank. Got down to the filter housing where it stopped. Since I never use it, I TOTALLY FORGOT about the fuel shut off there. Can you guess where this is going?

Yes, the #^&$()* fuel shutoff was ALMOST closed. It was open just enough to be a tease. Boy, do I feel dumb.

Oh well - I figured I'd post this here in case it helps someone else save face a few months or years down the road.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Boy, do I feel dumb.

Hey at least you didn't pay a dealer to tell you that!

And I wouldn't say your stupid, it takes a big person to own up to something like that, and you will probably save 10 other people some abuse down the line!