L3301 - Runs like a top then coughs and almost dies... then runs again

[theamigo]

Hi,

I have a L3301 with less than 50 hours on it. I used the backhoe for about 8 hours straight yesterday at the recommended RPM. It ran like a top.

Today it started cutting out. RPMs fluctuated several times, then it ran fine for about 5 minutes. Then it started cutting out again. I lowered the throttle and it kept running. I shut it off to check for water. Didn't see any but still emptied it. Bled the system. Started up just fine and ran for about 30 minutes more with no issue.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Hi,

I have a L3301 with less than 50 hours on it. I used the backhoe for about 8 hours straight yesterday at the recommended RPM. It ran like a top.

Today it started cutting out. RPMs fluctuated several times, then it ran fine for about 5 minutes. Then it started cutting out again. I lowered the throttle and it kept running. I shut it off to check for water. Didn't see any but still emptied it. Bled the system. Started up just fine and ran for about 30 minutes more with no issue.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone.

I would say there was water in it, and you just couldn't see it.

Does yours have the red ring in it?

 

[sardillim]

I've had a faulty fuel cap do that on a 2601 i used to have , cap is vented, if its blocked it will cause that issue, at least it did for me, changed my cap and it never did it again

 

[theamigo]

I would say there was water in it, and you just couldn't see it.

Does yours have the red ring in it?

Yes. Lemme guess, it’s a float? I didn’t think about it before I took it apart. I did put it back in...

 

[theamigo]

I wonder if our torrential rains may have helped bring this about...

 

[sheepfarmer]

The common rail high pressure fuel pumps can get ruined really fast with water. They are expensive so it might be worth your while to get rid of the fuel in the fuel tank and any storage tanks you have, and do anything to eliminate water getting in any other way.

 

[theamigo]

The common rail high pressure fuel pumps can get ruined really fast with water. They are expensive so it might be worth your while to get rid of the fuel in the fuel tank and any storage tanks you have, and do anything to eliminate water getting in any other way.

Well that escalated quickly.

 

[torch]

it might be worth your while to get rid of the fuel in the fuel tank and any storage tanks you have

OR save the fuel and the motor by putting a Waterworm (basically a desiccant filled sock) in the storage tank. And maybe a Waterworm mini in the vehicle tank.

I've been using them for years. They're great.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

OK, I'm curious.. what's this 'red ring' thing and purpose ?

 

[sheepfarmer]

The red ring is a float in the glass water separator that makes it possible to see the border between water and diesel. As the ring floats toward the top you can see that it is time to empty it.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

thanks ! today hasn't been totally wasted, I learned something...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

thanks ! today hasn't been totally wasted, I learned something...

This is why some of us are on here!

 

[theamigo]

Lest I seem ungrateful... Thanks to everyone for the info!

 

[Henro]

Years ago, when my B2910 was very new, I had an experience similar to yours.

The tractor would run fine for a while, then nearly die out, then run fine again. I was doing loader work at the time, moving loads of fill that a guy was dumping for me.

I got to the point of calling the dealer and almost arranging to have the tractor picked up and checked out.

On a whim, I decided to first change the fuel filter.

Turns out I bought some off road fuel from a place that was bad. Not sure if dirty or if algae was the issue. Changed the fuel filter and have not had a problem in over 15 years...

As someone above mentioned, a fuel cap that does not let air in the tank to replace the fuel consumed can have a similar effect.

Don't expect the worst. Often the fix is simple...

Edit: Forgot to mention that at the time I could not believe that a fuel filter could cause this erratic operation, but it did.

 

[lugbolt]

no real good way to diagnose a common rail fuel system issue, other than elimination of potential issues. Supply side needs to be clean (from tank to filter then filter to electric pump, then verify that the electric pump is ok, from there it's common rail diag stuff; of which there are no conclusive tests for that a typical owner can do. Just make sure it's getting fuel to it and that fuel has to be perfectly clean and free of water. From there, one needs the software, license, and laptop to watch what it's doing when it coughs and almost dies. That software will show what the rail pressure sensor is seeing and further diagnosis can be done from that point. Some components cant be tested short of replacing them with known good components; and that's the stuff that gets VERY expensive, quickly.

 

[angelo c]

Ok folks I'm "green" to "orange" but not to diesel or some light wrenching....I have a 5.9 Cummins that has a HPCR injection system. The weak link is fuel filtration. Mostly algae contamination and it sand blasts the injectors. Is it common to place the "fass" style cat filters on 5hese tractors and do y'all use "prist" as an algaecide?

 

[dmcb]

I had the same thing happen with my backhoe. I changed the fuel filter and it ran great. There was no water in the filter but it was plugged with dirt or something.

 

[theamigo]

I had the same thing happen with my backhoe. I changed the fuel filter and it ran great. There was no water in the filter but it was plugged with dirt or something.

Genuinely wondering - how does a clogged filter cause a hiccup like that? And then, how does it essentially fix itself enough that it doesn't happen?

I haven't changed anything other than dumping the water separator and bleeding the lines. I see no water in the separator. The ring isn't floating. Same diesel.

I can't really explain it by any other way either, so I guess a clogged filter is as good as anything.

 

[GeoHorn]

Ok folks I'm "green" to "orange" but not to diesel or some light wrenching....I have a 5.9 Cummins that has a HPCR injection system. The weak link is fuel filtration. Mostly algae contamination and it sand blasts the injectors. Is it common to place the "fass" style cat filters on 5hese tractors and do y'all use "prist" as an algaecide?

I use Biobor. (It’s what we used in the jets we flew so it’s claims for diesel was good enough for me.)