L 3301 died in the field and won't start

[Skyhammer]

Hi everyone,
New to this forum and I hope you can help with some advice. My L3301 is 5 years old, 420 hours, just did the 400 hour service a few months ago. I was out in one of my pastures bush hogging when the engine slowed down and died. Tried to restart and no such luck. Disconnected the pto, topped it off with diesel (thought I might have run dry) and wouldn't start. She cranks fine and strong, but feels like no fuel getting to the engine. Never had an issue like this before.

Any ideas?

 

[MOOTS]

Fuel filters clean?

 

[Skyhammer]

Fuel filters clean?

I'll check them tomorrow , thanks.
But I'm sure I replaced them at the 400 hour service.

 

[BigG]

I'll check them tomorrow , thanks.
But I'm sure I replaced them at the 400 hour service.

Replace the fuel filter. There is no way to check the filter.

 

[old and tired]

Did you bleed the fuel line? Open the bleeder...

 

[19thSF]

Hi everyone,
New to this forum and I hope you can help with some advice. My L3301 is 5 years old, 420 hours, just did the 400 hour service a few months ago. I was out in one of my pastures bush hogging when the engine slowed down and died. Tried to restart and no such luck. Disconnected the pto, topped it off with diesel (thought I might have run dry) and wouldn't start. She cranks fine and strong, but feels like no fuel getting to the engine. Never had an issue like this before.

Any ideas?

Try starting with the fuel fill cap off. If it starts, and runs okay, you have a clogged cap breather. A blogged cap will cause a vacuum to build up in the tank preventing fuel from flowing out of the tank, and eventually stalling the engine.

 

[kubotafreak]

I guess from reading this you ran out of fuel... You sound like you kind of fessed up to it. So with that assumption, crack the little 10mm bolt a few turns on the fuel(spin on) filter housing. Turn the key to on and let the lift pump vibrate a few minutes. You may see some fuel escape the vent. Cinch it down and try to crank.

Also watch the fuel water separator it should remain full. If at any point it wont fill and remove the air, then it is probably clogged at the entrance hose.

 

[Dave_eng]

You have to exactly follow the Operator's manual bleeding procedures, not some general one.

You have a modern common rail diesel controlled by electronics and a computer not an older style diesel everyone is familiar with.

I have attached the specific page for the L3301 bleeding.

Are you certain there are no error codes shown on the display panel. These engines are constantly monitoring many parameters and report problems by code on the display.

Here is what the display will look like when displaying codes.

If it is not fuel system bleeding, then it is time for the dealer to connect their computer to your tractor. Do not go taking stuff apart as you can cause far more damage than is presently causing your problem.

Dave

 

[bearbait]

Check your safety switch at the pedal, pto and seat.

 

[Skyhammer]

You have to exactly follow the Operator's manual bleeding procedures, not some general one.

You have a modern common rail diesel controlled by electronics and a computer not an older style diesel everyone is familiar with.

I have attached the specific page for the L3301 bleeding.

Are you certain there are no error codes shown on the display panel. These engines are constantly monitoring many parameters and report problems by code on the display.

Here is what the display will look like when displaying codes.

View attachment 60121

If it is not fuel system bleeding, then it is time for the dealer to connect their computer to your tractor. Do not go taking stuff apart as you can cause far more damage than is presently causing your problem.

Dave

Thanks for the info Dave! There are no error codes on the dash display.
I bled the fuel lines many times today with no change. She still cranks OK, but won't start. Also no fuel came out the bleeder screw. Should some come out, after a while?

 

[mdhughes]

Thanks for the info Dave! There are no error codes on the dash display.
I bled the fuel lines many times today with no change. She still cranks OK, but won't start. Also no fuel came out the bleeder screw. Should some come out, after a while?

Take the line coming from the fuel tank off the water separator and see what kind of flow you are getting out of the tank. If the flow is really slow, try blowing air in the hose and see if the flow changes. If there is good flow there, take the screen out of the water separator and clean it. Those are the first two things I would do.

 

[Henro]

Thanks for the info Dave! There are no error codes on the dash display.
I bled the fuel lines many times today with no change. She still cranks OK, but won't start. Also no fuel came out the bleeder screw. Should some come out, after a while?

How does the tractor shut down when you turn the key off? I don’t know your tractor, but I do know some tractors have a solenoid that is energized to cut fuel off when that key is turned off, while others have a solenoid there is energized to keep the fuel flowing until the key is turned off.

If your tractor happens to be one that keeps a solenoid energized to keep the engine running, then the tractor would not start If the solenoid was not energized Due to a blown fuse or broken wire, or if the solenoid itself failed.

I just proposing this thought as something else that you might check. I don’t know your tractor at all so I don’t know if this makes any sense for your particular situation.

edit: BUT from the sounds of it, I does sound like a fuel delivery issue, so pursuing it from that direction seems to make the most sense.