2009, B3200, V1505, 4 cylinder. 214 total hours. Seems to be losing its prime after sitting a few days.

[motorhead]

I have owned this tractor for 10 years. Bought it with 59 hours on it. It has 214 total hours now. It has always started right up COLD after glowing it. It all of the sudden seems like it has lost its fuel prime. The glow plugs are all working. I went through and bought all of the rubber fuel lines and replaced them even though I saw NO leakage. Full fuel tank.

Is there a check valve in the fuel system somewhere? It cranks maybe 20-30 seconds on the first start when it is acting up. After, it starts right off.

I do not see any white unburned fuel out of the exhaust pipe when I have to crank the engine over prolonged for the first start. I hear the fuel solenoid click open.
I'm 71 and have worked on small diesels since 1981 (VW, Mercedes, later on Kubota diesels) and this has me stumped!

I can go out the very next day after running it the day before and it will start up normally cold. Seems like there is a small leak back somewhere.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I have owned this tractor for 10 years. Bought it with 59 hours on it. It has 214 total hours now. It has always started right up COLD after glowing it. It all of the sudden seems like it has lost its fuel prime. The glow plugs are all working. I went through and bought all of the rubber fuel lines and replaced them even though I saw NO leakage. Full fuel tank.

Is there a check valve in the fuel system somewhere? It cranks maybe 20-30 seconds on the first start when it is acting up. After, it starts right off.

I do not see any white unburned fuel out of the exhaust pipe when I have to crank the engine over prolonged for the first start. I hear the fuel solenoid click open.
I'm 71 and have worked on small diesels since 1981 (VW, Mercedes, later on Kubota diesels) and this has me stumped!

I can go out the very next day after running it the day before and it will start up normally cold. Seems like there is a small leak back somewhere.

You do have a lift pump that feeds the injector pump. A bad valve or leaking diaphragm are possibilities. Leaking diaphragms have been known to raise the engine oil level.

 

[motorhead]

Thanks, I'll check the oil level. I thought about replacing the fuel pump. There is a big price range from aftermarket to dealer. I am inclined to buy from the dealer. I hate Chinese aftermarket parts. It's mostly junk. My fuel tank is higher than the injection pump if that means anything. Thanks

 

[number two]

It has to be simpler than that!
Good Luck!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

What your explaining does not sound like air in the system, sounds more like a glow plug or injector issue.

You could start with the simple test of seeing if there is air in the system.
Remove the fuel supply line (Blue) and replace it with a clear line.
Also remove the return line (red) add a piece of clear line and a barb to connect it back to the return.

Then if that works and there is no bubbles I would double check the glow plugs and make sure they are all good.
Then I would pull the injectors and take them to be tested and rebuilt as necessary.

 

[Grandad4]

150 hours of use over ten years is just a very few hours each year. Would have to wonder about the condition of the fuel in the tank and possible contamination.

 

[motorhead]

I fueled it with fresh diesel. I used it more when I first got it as I did a lot of mowing for people.

150 hours of use over ten years is just a very few hours each year. Would have to wonder about the condition of the fuel in the tank and possible contamination.

 

[Grandad4]

Making sure there's no fuel blockage is still a good idea.