2015 L3301 sputters and dies

Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
Hi everyone . My 3301 has been solid for a while (620 hours) the sensor that sits on the hst forward and backward foot pedal was bypassed cause it broke. Ever since then the seat sensor did not matter. I can stand and drive it so there is no issue with that. I recently had my bailer catch fire and it melted my back lights and the wires to the seat sensor. Worst case they are shorted and the seat still should work. I need to go repair that. I probaly put on close to 10 hours since the fire and now it sputters and dies while driving. It sits for a few minutes and then starts back up after a few tries. I have been looking at the posts on this site and alot of people are talking about the seat sensor. Im not leaning that way. The sputtering happens then it revs back up some then fully dies. Im open to any and all suggestions on what should be looked at. The wiring for the seat is the first thing I will fix because I know its damaged. Im also going to replace the fuel filter. But not betting that is the cause of my issue.
 

6869704x4

Well-known member

Equipment
L45TLB, 49 8N, 57 641, RTV-X1120D, Z422
Jun 29, 2011
320
418
63
SE, NM
It does sound like a fuel problem, which could be the filter. Notice any smoke when it sputters?
 

GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
That's not a lot of hours for a 9 year old tractor,so could be 'junk in the tank',something semifloating that block the outlet spigot,maybe a plugged fuel cap vent, old fuel is gelled , ???
 

Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
It does sound like a fuel problem, which could be the filter. Notice any smoke when it sputters?
I have not seen any smoke when it sputters. Thanks for the reply. I will be more observant and look for that .
 

Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
That's not a lot of hours for a 9 year old tractor,so could be 'junk in the tank',something semifloating that block the outlet spigot,maybe a plugged fuel cap vent, old fuel is gelled , ???
That is an interesting angle. I will look into that. I didn't know the fuel cap had a vent. I mean it makes sense. I am the only person adding diesel to this tractor and a am always careful. I do not think its trash in the tank but it can't be that hard to take off and clean. I will add that to my list. . It is also definetly getting a fuel filter this weekend . . I have hear of diesel gelling before but never seen it. If there is diesel gel present in the old filter, what steps do I need to take to clear the whole system? Thanks.
 

Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
That is an interesting angle. I will look into that. I didn't know the fuel cap had a vent. I mean it makes sense. I am the only person adding diesel to this tractor and a am always careful. I do not think its trash in the tank but it can't be that hard to take off and clean. I will add that to my list. . It is also definetly getting a fuel filter this weekend . . I have hear of diesel gelling before but never seen it. If there is diesel gel present in the old filter, what steps do I need to take to clear the whole system? Thanks.
Update!!!
I got 2 filters. I was unaware that it took 2. One was metal and I was told I could just clean it. It was nasty. The spin on fuel filter also was nasty. I also had to prime it cause it wouldn't start. Didni mention I've never owned or worked don diesels before. But it started back up. And given the state of both of the filters I would say it is fixed. Thanks for all of your help!!! If it acts up i know where to go
:)
 
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6869704x4

Well-known member

Equipment
L45TLB, 49 8N, 57 641, RTV-X1120D, Z422
Jun 29, 2011
320
418
63
SE, NM
Keep after them filters, if they're getting clogged again you might need to clean your tank
 
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old and tired

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Equipment
L2800 HST; 2005; R4
... I have hear of diesel gelling before but never seen it. If there is diesel gel present in the old filter, what steps do I need to take to clear the whole system?
Just to answer your question... Gel shows up in cold (freezing?) temperatures and you are running "summer fuel" in the tank. Gel looks like wax on the outside of the diesel filter (clogs up the filter). To get rid of it, warmer temperatures will "melt" the wax or use diesel conditioners ; Power Service Diesel Fuel is what I use. Finally, most diesel fuel suppliers change to "winter mix" fuel which have anti-gelling additives.
 
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Eddie75

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Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
Just to answer your question... Gel shows up in cold (freezing?) temperatures and you are running "summer fuel" in the tank. Gel looks like wax on the outside of the diesel filter (clogs up the filter). To get rid of it, warmer temperatures will "melt" the wax or use diesel conditioners ; Power Service Diesel Fuel is what I use. Finally, most diesel fuel suppliers change to "winter mix" fuel which have anti-gelling additives.
I was thinking that was a cold weather thing. Its still 70- 80 degrees here so the gell thing was not a issue. There were 2 fuel filters. One before the pump, which is a metal screen in a water separator tank. Its filthy fro the outside but u scrubbed it clean on the inside. And the spin on filter also is brand new . I have ordered a new metal screen filter because it looks like the beginning of a smashed soda can. Like the vacuum power of the pump started to collapse it . Comng off of the water separator there is a rubber line that goes through what looks to me to be a third filter going into another box that is most definetly not the spin on filter hardware. Ill attach pics of everything.. what is that?
This thing stull sputters and dies. I still suspect fuel as the issue. I have the metal screen filter to pick up from napa and I went ahead and purchased a fuel pump as well. Its low hours so I dont think it is but the best way to troubleshoot is with known good parts. That just gets expensive real quick. But this thing dies on me several times since I cleaned the metal filter and replace the spin on.
Just to answer your question... Gel shows up in cold (freezing?) temperatures and you are running "summer fuel" in the tank. Gel looks like wax on the outside of the diesel filter (clogs up the filter). To get rid of it, warmer temperatures will "melt" the wax or use diesel conditioners ; Power Service Diesel Fuel is what I use. Finally, most diesel fuel suppliers change to "winter mix" fuel which have anti-gelling additives.
Ahhh second try with this post. I blame my phone
Fuel separator metal screen cleaned and reinstalled. Spin on fuel filter replaced as well. Question. There is what looks like and In line fuel filter coming g off a rubber hose going to a black box that is not part of the spin on fuel filter assembly. Im guessing its emissions of some sort? This thing is still dying on me while driving. Im thinkg about taking the tank off and cleaning it out thoroughly. It looks complicated. Does anyone have a step by step guide?
 

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Nicfin36

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Equipment
L2501 HST, BH77 Backhoe, SSQA Loader ZD1011 Mower
Jun 19, 2019
1,016
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83
Decatur, AL
I just learned the hard way last week about fuel microbes...even though I have seen talk of it here many times. My tractor started sputtering and quit. I pulled the fuel line to the tank at the fuel filter and it was clogged. I was able to blow the debris back into the tank, crank the tractor and go back to the barn. I drained the tank, added fresh fuel and will be treating all my fuel with Bio Kleen. I am not saying that is your problem, but it was certainly mine. Only 100 hours on my tractor.
 
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whitetiger

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Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
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Kansas City, KS
The black tank is a Reserve Fuel Tank, and the small green & white filter-looking thing in the hose is a Fuel Check Valve.
 
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Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
The black tank is a Reserve Fuel Tank, and the small green & white filter-looking thing in the hose is a Fuel Check Valve.
Ok. This thing is a fuel check valve. I pulled the lines off of it. I can not blow through it when it is off. Had my son turn the key and it started shaking, making noise and and it opened up to blow through. So thats probaly not my problem
I added the bio-kleen in the tank a about a week or 2 ago. It seemed to improve. But here today it sputters and kut off again. It sits for a while and then starts back up. Like there is a blockage in the fuel system somewhere. The metal filter has been cleaned. The spin on fuel filter was replaced. I even bought a fuel pump but im not convinced that it is the problem. It only has 602 hours. I am going away for some training next Sunday and really need this beast running so the wife can put some hay out for the critters while I am gone.
 

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ayak

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3301 HST
Feb 16, 2018
608
818
93
WV
Ok. This thing is a fuel check valve. I pulled the lines off of it. I can not blow through it when it is off. Had my son turn the key and it started shaking, making noise and and it opened up to blow through. So thats probaly not my problem
I added the bio-kleen in the tank a about a week or 2 ago. It seemed to improve. But here today it sputters and kut off again. It sits for a while and then starts back up. Like there is a blockage in the fuel system somewhere. The metal filter has been cleaned. The spin on fuel filter was replaced. I even bought a fuel pump but im not convinced that it is the problem. It only has 602 hours. I am going away for some training next Sunday and really need this beast running so the wife can put some hay out for the critters while I am gone.
That latest pic of yours I don’t believe is a check valve (it’s a pump).

The Check Valve previously mentioned by White Tiger is actually this part (green and white) being pointed at.
IMG_4435.jpeg
 
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whitetiger

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Nov 20, 2011
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. I even bought a fuel pump but im not convinced that it is the problem.
Wait, you bought a fuel pump but are not sure what the silver part that has hose barbs and wiring is?
Did I miss something here???????????
 

Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
That latest pic of yours I don’t believe is a check valve (it’s a pump).

The Check Valve previously mentioned by White Tiger is actually this part (green and white) being pointed at.
View attachment 139261
Cool. When I turned on the key it moved some fuel as well so that makes sens. . I pulled the feed line to the first filter with the water separator on it. There was no fuel . I shoved a weed wacker string up there and now its tinkling out. Slowly. I got a blockage of some sort in the tank. Will pull the grommet at the bottom and blow it out with a bil ole hole at the bottom.
 

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cliffboyer

Active member

Equipment
L3301 w/LA525 loader, G5200 mower w/RC48 deck, Kawasaki 610 Mule, DR mower
Nov 30, 2017
242
49
28
Southern IL
Had this exact same issue yesterday. Mowing the field and tractor sputtered and died. Long story short, had debris in the tank. I could see black junk in the water separator, so that was a smoking gun. Was pieces of insect larvae. Turns out bugs lay eggs in the fuel nozzle on transfer tank. Found out about this a few years ago, and since then I always check before fueling up. I keep a cork on the nozzle now. But I missed it for some time prior to discovering and pumped them right into the tank. Those pieces reared up and plugged things up yesterday.

Little over 2 hr job to get tank flushed out. Dropped an inspection camera in tank and could still see one little piece.....will see how long it takes if/when it causes problems.

Why kubota didn't put a screen or riser on the tank outlet is beyond me.
 

Eddie75

New member

Equipment
L3301. WOODS backhoe. Tiller, bushhog
Sep 18, 2024
8
2
3
Virginia
Yup. A little piece of trash. Suspiciously bug shaped. Skinny enough to fit in the 1/4 inch elbow at the bottom of the tank, long enough not to fit through the elbow. Caused all my problems. Lesson learned.
Had this exact same issue yesterday. Mowing the field and tractor sputtered and died. Long story short, had debris in the tank. I could see black junk in the water separator, so that was a smoking gun. Was pieces of insect larvae. Turns out bugs lay eggs in the fuel nozzle on transfer tank. Found out about this a few years ago, and since then I always check before fueling up. I keep a cork on the nozzle now. But I missed it for some time prior to discovering and pumped them right into the tank. Those pieces reared up and plugged things up yesterday.

Little over 2 hr job to get tank flushed out. Dropped an inspection camera in tank and could still see one little piece.....will see how long it takes if/when it causes problems.

Why kubota didn't put a screen or riser on the tank outlet is beyond me.
[/QUOT
 
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cliffboyer

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L3301 w/LA525 loader, G5200 mower w/RC48 deck, Kawasaki 610 Mule, DR mower
Nov 30, 2017
242
49
28
Southern IL
A word of caution with the way I did it.

I put about 3 qts of clean fuel in tank, and stuck a long blow gun in at about 70psi to realy blast things apart. Drained and repeated 3 times. Cover the fill with a rag. This method atomized the fuel tremendously. It wafts all around when you remove rag to refill. If in a shop, do not have any open flame or ignition source near by. Open a door. Turn off heater, snuff out pilot light, etc.
 
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