My L2550 quit on me today. Just started idling slower and slower and then quit. Will turn over but not fire. Checked the fuel filter and is was pretty bad. Replaced the fuel filter. It still won’t fire (turns over) and feels like there’s no fuel. Filled the fuel cup too. Is there some way to prime the system if that is the problem?
L2550 Starting/Fuel priming
- Thread starter MBA Farm Boss
- Start date
On diesel engines, running out of fuel is a far bigger problem than oln gas engines.
You have to bleed any air out of the injection system. A bit like bleeding air out of hydraulic brakes. Any air will not force the injectors open.
This is the bleeding procedure:
If you don't have an operator's manual go to :
http://kubotabooks.com/AutoIndex/index.php?dir=Tractor Owners Manuals/
Download your manual for free. The material above is from page 40.
Dave
Have you cracked the injector lines open to bleed air? I had to do that on my 4400 after changing the filter. Just loosen the top nut on each injector and spin it over for 10 seconds at a time; when you see fuel instead of bubbles coming out tighten them down and try cranking again.
Do you have good fuel flow from the tank to the fuel filter? If you don't, your fuel delivery is being restricted by something at the tank out let strainer or the tank vent in the cap is plugged. Often water condensate will get into the tank and cause problems and also allow bacteria to live at the fuel/water interface. this will cause a snotty looking substance o clog the out let and filters. Try to keep the fuel tank full to preclude this.
If you d have adequate fuel flow from the tank to the filter how about from the tank through the filter? You could have some crud in the filter head or you may have installed the gaskets (if equipped) improperly.
Finally, make sure you bleed the system properly after changing the filters or running out of fuel.
Spoke too soon. Got it running. But then it quit. Looks like the fuel is not getting to the filter. I’m a novice so where the tank strainer/vent?
Should be a vent in the fuel cap. Might try running the engine with the fuel cap loose to allow air in the tank so there is no vacuum when the engine is running.
You apparently have something causing a stoppage at the tank. I would start at the tank and check for fuel and good flow, then proceed through the fuel system towards the IP.
Ok, dumb question, how the heck do I do that and not spill fuel? Or am I going to have to drain the tank?
Undo/remove filter and see if fuel freely flows (catch it in a bucket), it needs to flow freely and continuously, so run a pint or so to be sure. if it doesn't, then you obviously have a blockage in tank, or in line from tank, or at the entry to the filter housing. Remove hose to filter housing and check for debris and flow. If there is debris, or poor flow, you'll need to drain/clean the tank I expect.
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
You should do something like this...
You know you have no fuel getting to the filter,
So between tank and filter is a blockage of some sort.
Objective is to find where you do have fuel flow.
It appears that the tank has a fuel shutoff on it. Use this and buckets to control how much fuel you lose.
I would remove the end of each fuel line to see where fuel will flow.
Start at the tank outlet since you probably have something right there and the shutoff is handy.
You can blow air back through the lines to clear them if you need to get it back to the workshop. Just remember a few things- once the blockage is gone fuel will flow quickly, don’t pressurize the tank much or fuel really flows fast, don’t remove fuel cap or diesel may be blown out so put a rag over it (at least that is what “someone” told me happens!).
Lastly the blockage will return if you don’t locate and eliminate the source of the blockage material =algae, rust, grass, foil bottle seals, dead bugs, leaf,...
Good luck
Edit: and bleed it again when you get fuel flowing
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You know you have no fuel getting to the filter,
So between tank and filter is a blockage of some sort.
Objective is to find where you do have fuel flow.
It appears that the tank has a fuel shutoff on it. Use this and buckets to control how much fuel you lose.
I would remove the end of each fuel line to see where fuel will flow.
Start at the tank outlet since you probably have something right there and the shutoff is handy.
You can blow air back through the lines to clear them if you need to get it back to the workshop. Just remember a few things- once the blockage is gone fuel will flow quickly, don’t pressurize the tank much or fuel really flows fast, don’t remove fuel cap or diesel may be blown out so put a rag over it (at least that is what “someone” told me happens!).
Lastly the blockage will return if you don’t locate and eliminate the source of the blockage material =algae, rust, grass, foil bottle seals, dead bugs, leaf,...
Good luck
Edit: and bleed it again when you get fuel flowing
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
So my saga continues. I think I found and cleaned the fuel problem but in the process I dropped a clamp in the fuel tank and I’m having a difficult time fishing it out after I drained the tank. Is it the end of the world if I leave it in? I really this thing running to work around the farm.
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
You can use it with the clamp in the tank.
I would get a magnet and see if you can get it out (assuming it is a magnetic clamp you dropped)
I would continue to work on getting it out until you succeed.
If not you can take the tank out and get the clamp out when you don’t need the tractor as much and can afford to have it down for a few days
And what resolved the original problem?
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I would get a magnet and see if you can get it out (assuming it is a magnetic clamp you dropped)
I would continue to work on getting it out until you succeed.
If not you can take the tank out and get the clamp out when you don’t need the tractor as much and can afford to have it down for a few days
And what resolved the original problem?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk