Getting harder to start

[Mudball]

My L245F has recently had installed, new injectors and a rebuilt injector pump. At the same time before I ever cranked it, I also installed a new Kubota brand fuel filter. The other fuel filter that came off was an off brand and had several chunks of debris (tank rust ?) in the fuel when I emptied the filter to inspect. Back when I replaced the steering shaft assy I flushed the tank pretty good since I had it off anyway but now Im thinking I might not have done a very good job.
Ive noticed in the last few days its consistently getting harder and harder to get started, even after its warmed up. It takes more and more cranks before she fires up.
Would you say my first choice of elimination should be trying another fuel filter ?

 

[Daren Todd]

The fuel filter is pretty in expensive, so it wouldn't hurt to replace. Before replacing the filter, I would remove it and dump it in a clean pan and see if you can see any more debris. And put a pan under the filter base and turn the petcock back on to check flow from the fuel tank.

I just cleaned a gas tank off a generator. Generator was left sitting for a couple years and the gas went bad. There was around 1/2" of crust in the bottom of the tank. Ended up pulling the petcock and hitting it with a pressure washer. Took a couple hours to get the crap out. Waiting for a new petcock and filter screen for the filler neck before I can see if I need to tear the carb down


Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find

 

[ShaunBlake]

What happens when it starts? Black smoke or white?

How does it run after it starts? Does it sputter and limp, or can you rev it right up? Does it run well enough to work?

I don't know anything about fuel problems although I've read a whole lotta threads about them. But it seems backward that it would be hard to start if your filter was clogged -- seems that it would start up but then starve.

 

[85Hokie]

do you use the glow plugs to start each time?

 

[Mudball]

What happens when it starts? Black smoke or white?

How does it run after it starts? Does it sputter and limp, or can you rev it right up? Does it run well enough to work?

I don't know anything about fuel problems although I've read a whole lotta threads about them. But it seems backward that it would be hard to start if your filter was clogged -- seems that it would start up but then starve.

The last time today that I cranked it today even when it was still warm, it did act like it was starving for fuel. I just now realized I need to recheck my fuel injector lines as well seeing how they are new.
Anyway after it started it ran sluggish a couple of seconds and then I grabbed the throttle and it did rev right up. It runs fine after that.
Usually white/gray smoke on start up and rev up after idle time.

do you use the glow plugs to start each time?

I use them every time I cold start. Ive never had to use them in the past after the engine is at operating temperature or even close to it. I did try that today sfter it wouldnt pop off. I remember thinking that it didnt have time to cool off but I tried the glow plugs anyway and it didnt help much. Still slow to start.

The fuel filter is pretty in expensive, so it wouldn't hurt to replace. Before replacing the filter, I would remove it and dump it in a clean pan and see if you can see any more debris. And put a pan under the filter base and turn the petcock back on to check flow from the fuel tank.

I just cleaned a gas tank off a generator. Generator was left sitting for a couple years and the gas went bad. There was around 1/2" of crust in the bottom of the tank. Ended up pulling the petcock and hitting it with a pressure washer. Took a couple hours to get the crap out. Waiting for a new petcock and filter screen for the filler neck before I can see if I need to tear the carb down


Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find

Thanks for the idea of draining directly from tank after removing filter. I will be sure to inspect. This tractor was left sitting outside for quite some time I was told.

I will also get fuel filters on the way.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Might be due diligence to check valve settings too.

 

[Ike]

Check your fuel line between the filter and the tank. There may be a piece of rust caught in it blocking the fue flow

 

[Mudball]

Might be due diligence to check valve settings too.

Thanks
I hope not as I did check them just a few meter hours ago. I tried to set them exactly at .008
I checked them by turning the crank by hand until I seen a certain set of valves stop moving and then keep turning just a bit more and then adjust that set. Then turn crank until next set stopped moving etc... I didnt follow the complete WSM procedure of valve adjustments but Ive been told the way Im doing it is quite sufficient.

Check your fuel line between the filter and the tank. There may be a piece of rust caught in it blocking the fue flow

Yes great.
When I remove the filter I think its a great idea to check to see if there is any more trash flowing from the tank or through that hose. I replaced that hose when the tank was removed but you never know.
Thanks

 

[Tooljunkie]

Could it be something like a battery getting weak? I know its nat a very big engine but if its running ok, maybe its turning a little slow.

 

[Mudball]

Could it be something like a battery getting weak? I know its nat a very big engine but if its running ok, maybe its turning a little slow.

No sir not that I can tell.
Im going to check the high pressure lines this morning. If they seem to be alright then I will order a filter or two. However if there was NOT a good seal in those lines then I would think that it would spit and sputter on start up ???? IDK Makes me lean back towards the filter as being the problem, possibly caused from a trashy tank that I didnt clean good enough.
Thanks

 

[Mudball]

Here is your sign
Can you say STUPID !!!!
I can.
Well I think there may have been two issues. 1) was the pressure lines were snug since I installed them but not real tight. I got a good 1/4 to 1/2 turn on most of them. I dont think they were seated real good
2) is that when I removed the rear pressure line so I could access the middle line on the injector pump, I noticed something around the line hole. It was a small perfect round piece of clear thin plastic package from where I poked it through the packaging when I removed it when it was new. So it either moved to a position where it was blocking fuel flow or some of it got to the injector and then passed through...who knows. For one moment I was happy thats all it was (so far) and the next minute I was mad I did that to begin with
When I reinstalled and bled lines then it fired right up. I will try again for a cold start and that will be a better test I guess. I dont know if the diesel fuel and pressure would have eventually deteriorated the plastic or not. If I have trouble in the near future then I guess I will check the other lines but for now it starts and runs great.
I hate that I went through all this trouble and received all the help from members here, for something so stupid.

Thanks again.

 

[Daren Todd]

It's a good thing you found it and glad you got it fixed could have clogged your injector


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BAP]

Here is your sign
Can you say STUPID !!!!
I can. ...

Been There Done That. Glad it turned out to be a relatively simple fix.

 

[Humblebub]

I have a sign on front of tool box. "Where were your hands last". Always reminds me to pause and think.

 

[Diydave]

Kinda reminds me of the time a friend at the auto electric shop sold a new in plastic battery to a customer, who had the car towed to the shop, and we saw the plastic wrap, still neatly on the battery, with both terminals still shielded and the battery clamps clamped right over the plastic...

At least you found out was wrong, and were able to correct it. I have done similar, within the past month, don't know if I posted it here, but had a no-start situation on my struck bulldozer, about 2 weeks ago. It had been sitting for a coupla years, and I wanted, at least to burn the old gas out'n it before winter.
Only way to start it was to jump from the solenoid to the starter hot. Finally I called the father of the afore-mentioned friend, who is semi-retired. He came out and we started tracing safety switch wires. I took off one side panel, then the other, he kept checking wires, as I described that I knew the seat switch was wired up do be non functional, showed him the clutch interlock, we tested that, and he said, Where does this other wire go. A light bulb went off, and I walked around to the other side of the machine, and pushed the PTO rotary valve toward the closed position, and it moved like an eighth of an inch, closing the open switch...

I asked what he wanted for the sunday field visit, and he said $20 would cover it. As I sheepishly handed the $20 over, I said thanks, education ain't free, you know...

 

[Mudball]

I dont understand how it was running and starting fine for several hours and then started acting up. I would have thought it would give trouble from the start. Im tempted to check the others just for peace of mind.
Thanks