Hello I have a 2016 kubota 3901 that keeps dying. It runs for a good while and then just dies and doesn’t start again for a couple minutes. It’s been cold so I thought it was freezing up so I drained the fuel cleaned out the water separator changed the fuel filter and put a tarp over it with a heater and that still didn’t help. I thought it was the assy fuel pump between the water separator and the fuel sub tank so I replaced that but it still died out. Idk if it’s a sensor or the fuel shut off sulinoid or maybe I’ve got a partial plug in one of the lines or even a bubble on the system even though I’ve bled it numerous times. Any input would be appreciated thanks.
Tractor keeps dying
- Thread starter Canadafordman56
- Start date
How is the flow from the tank? There maybe an ice crystal in the outlet so if you start it and let it run for a bit it dies is that right? And have you checked the fuel lines for a leak?they do crack and let air in and it wont run,,just some thoughts
The flow from the tank is good and there’s no leaks or anything it just dies after I work it lightly for a couple minutes and by light work I mean driving up and down the driveway a couple times. It’s almost like there’s a block before the fuel filter and once the motor uses that up it dies idk.
What kind of temperatures are you dealing with, and is the fuel winterized?
When you cleaned the separator, was there any water (red ring floats up in presence of water)?
Don't be offended with the basic questions...
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When you cleaned the separator, was there any water (red ring floats up in presence of water)?
Don't be offended with the basic questions...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
When u say flow from tank I assume it***8217;s great all the way to filter? When u changed fuel filter it flowed well? If ur not sure then remove the fuel filter again and check the flow at the filter. Even turn the key to on and see how flow is or changes when the little booster pump runs. If all is good then ur issue may be further down. Gotta be positive on good flow to filter first and then look further along. On mine when the booster pump is on I can hear fuel dribbling back to the fuel tank.
So I went out and checked and when I took the filter off it was full but when I turned the key all that came out was a couple drops.
I would think ur problem is a supply issue then. I can***8217;t physically look at mine right now but I would follow the filter supply line back and see what can stop The flow. I***8217;m guessing ur booster pump may have an issue. I assume it turns on and u hear it run? Like I said on mine u can hear fuel dribble back to the tank when u turn the key on. Does urs do the same? Make sure the fuel valve is fully open, i know it***8217;s basic but shit happens. U may need to pull the line off before pump check flow then after pump. Good old trouble shooting starting at the tank and continuing until the flow stops. Hope this helps
I tried the fuel cap already and I actually replaced the booster pump cuz I thought that was what was wrong but wasn’t I never thought of actually checking to see if the filter was getten fuel lol. Ive got a good direction on what to do now. tnks for the help
This illustration is from the WSM for the L3301, 3901 & 4701.
If this is your tractor, then it is a complicated system.
When your tractor dies are any numbers showing up on the display?
Dave
If this is your tractor, then it is a complicated system.
When your tractor dies are any numbers showing up on the display?
Dave
North Idaho Wolfman
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You're tractor does NOT have a stop solenoid / or fuel shut off solenoid.
Don't go past the simple pieces of this system, because the Main fuel Pump and the High pressure pump are thousands of dollars to replace, seek serious professional help in figuring what is wrong!
I think it is a high pressure common rail thing...the high pressure flow creates heat. My 2003 truck has one , inconveniently located under the truck next to the tank.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Had similar problems with my B7800 ... would suddenly die and then fail to start (no response to key). After leaving it alone for a few days, it would start and run just fine.
Recently, it would start but then die when pressing the HST pedal. I performed all the fuel services you did, but no success.
Could the intermittant failure on your 3901 be similar to my B7800?....
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40043
If so, the fix is simple....see my final post....
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Hey guys I have an L3901 that did the exact same thing that you are describing. I had a leaf inside the fuel tank. (Yes a leaf off of a bush). I did all the standard trouble shooting and here's what really told the tale. Contradictory to what the WSM diagram shows--- the fuel TANK on the L3901 feeds the lift pump via GRAVITY. To wit the fuel tap on the tank must be closed when servicing the water separator lest we piss fuel all over the place.
Try this - Close fuel tap, disconnect fuel line that connects tank to separator - open tap and see how good of a flow you're getting from the tank. I dont have a flow meter or spec to quote, but you ought to be able to eyeball it and decide whether that fuel is coming out of the tank as fast as it should. Mine wasnt. Blow backwards into the fuel tank with compressed air. In my case it dislodged the leaf and blew a quart of fuel out of the filler cap (that I had off) and VIOLA..... chunks of leaf. No guarantee that this is your issue, but the diagnosis of fuel starvation that remedies itself by a rest.....
Always back to diesel rule #1 taught to me long ago by an old boat captain. "If your diesel engine wont run, you have a fuel problem" He's never been wrong.
Try this - Close fuel tap, disconnect fuel line that connects tank to separator - open tap and see how good of a flow you're getting from the tank. I dont have a flow meter or spec to quote, but you ought to be able to eyeball it and decide whether that fuel is coming out of the tank as fast as it should. Mine wasnt. Blow backwards into the fuel tank with compressed air. In my case it dislodged the leaf and blew a quart of fuel out of the filler cap (that I had off) and VIOLA..... chunks of leaf. No guarantee that this is your issue, but the diagnosis of fuel starvation that remedies itself by a rest.....
Always back to diesel rule #1 taught to me long ago by an old boat captain. "If your diesel engine wont run, you have a fuel problem" He's never been wrong.
Hey there guys I got it running proper now It turns out that after I replaced the faulty assy pump and cleaned out the fuel separator that some jackall put the water separator filter in upside down lol. So she’s all good now tnks for the help guys. Cheers!!
I think it was the pump Cuz originally I thought it was gelling up so we put it under a tarp with a heater for a couple days and that didn’t fix it so I cleaned the water separator and changed the pump cuz the pump was sounding reeely weak and it wouldn’t even turn on half the time. If worse comes to worse though I have a spare pump lol.