L3902 fuel stop selenoid

[ripleyb]

L3902HST, 104 hrs. 3 years old, so full warrenty out of date now. Last few times using it, it chokes down and dies after running for 30 to 60 min. and will not immediately start back up, just labors to turn over. It will always start up again after sitting for an hour or so. Tank was drained and flushed with new fuel, replaced separator filter and fuel filter. i have good fuel flow from tank to separator, post separator, lift pump shoots fuel great. I air bled lines at the filter weep screw. Same issue remains. Local Kubota tech suggested it was likely the fuel stop selenoid acting up. I had hoped to get one and replace to save the effort of hauling the tractor to town and paying them to switch it out IF I could do so. I cannot locate the selenoid on the tractor. Based on expanded diagrams found here and elsewhere, I thought I had a sense of where this selenoid is located but now I'm wondering what parts must be removed from the tractor for me to find the selenoid. There seems to be too much going on and it is blocked from view from the side. i have removed the FEL. I removed the fuel filter to get a better look inside the compartment, but I cannot locate the selenoid. If this is a bad idea, please tell me so, and I'll just take it on in to the dealer. Is this a repair I can attempt myself once the selenoid arrives? Can anyone help me to find the selenoid?

 

[#40Fan]

Since it is a common rail engine, will it even have a fuel shut off solenoid?

When you say it "labors to turn over", are you saying that it cranks slower?

 

[whitetiger]

A common rail fuel system has no fuel shut-off solenoid.
They shut the engine off by not sending a ground signal from the ECU.

When did you change the fuel filter last?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yep the old case of...
Your tractor doesn't have that part!

 

[ripleyb]

Since it is a common rail engine, will it even have a fuel shut off solenoid? When you say it "labors to turn over", are you saying that it cranks slower?

Yes, it's sluggish as if battery can hardly turn it over. Battery was pulled and tested. It is fine. then replaced both filters, drained all fuel like I said, bled the the system. fuel filter was replaced at 50 hours,again when this first occurred a month ago. The tech at my dealer suggested the stop selenoid when I called for advice. so no wonder I can't see one if it dosent exist. After it sits, tractor starts again almost normally that first time and will re start normally after that. It takes using the tractor while for it to shut down/choke out/ bog down and dies, then no rstart until letting it sit. All my work on filters and fuel has not helped.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Local Kubota tech suggested it was likely the fuel stop selenoid acting up.

Anyone else's "Spiddy Senses" going off? This would be a RED FLAG as to the competency of the local Kubota tech recommending a part that the tractor does not have!!!

Makes me wonder if they would have actually taken the tractor, held it for a couple days and charged for a part they did not install and hope you keep coming back to fix the same problem.

 

[#40Fan]

Yes, it's sluggish as if battery can hardly turn it over. Battery was pulled and tested. It is fine. then replaced both filters, drained all fuel like I said, bled the the system. fuel filter was replaced at 50 hours,again when this first occurred a month ago. The tech at my dealer suggested the stop selenoid when I called for advice. so no wonder I can't see one if it dosent exist. After it sits, tractor starts again almost normally that first time and will re start normally after that. It takes using the tractor while for it to shut down/choke out/ bog down and dies, then no rstart until letting it sit. All my work on filters and fuel has not helped.

I think you have a different issue that isn't fuel related. When I read your initial post, I was instantly thinking of an overheat issue. Any signs of that happening? Have you checked coolant level lately?

 

[ripleyb]

Anyone else's "Spiddy Senses" going off? This would be a RED FLAG as to the competency of the local Kubota tech recommending a part that the tractor does not have!!!

Makes me wonder if they would have actually taken the tractor, held it for a couple days and charged for a part they did not install and hope you keep coming back to fix the same problem.

Yes!!! My immediate thoughts when learning of the common rail on my L3902, so now I'm even more desperate to solve myself!!

 

[ripleyb]

I think you have a different issue that isn't fuel related. When I read your initial post, I was instantly thinking of an overheat issue. Any signs of that happening? Have you checked coolant level lately?

I also think it is related to heat and reveals itself when hot. This last occurrence, I did see that the coolant tank was at the very minimum "low", and I topped it off. Since it cooled off, all I've done is driven it back to the barn. Today, I am going to air bleed the fuel again, loosen the fuel fill cap to omit any possible vacuum, and run it with bush hog to see if those two variables help at all. Does the tank vent through the lid??

If the tractor will run a couple of hours, I'd be convinced we are past the issue. I will welcome any further advice, and MANY thanks for the input so far!!

 

[whatsupdoc]

I would look for an electrical issue, maybe bad ground's or mice chewed up some wires.

You state it labors to crank after it stalls out, if it was just a fuel supply issue it may stall but it would crank just fine unless the pump has an issue and is putting drag on the engine.

 

[#40Fan]

I also think it is related to heat and reveals itself when hot. This last occurrence, I did see that the coolant tank was at the very minimum "low", and I topped it off. Since it cooled off, all I've done is driven it back to the barn. Today, I am going to air bleed the fuel again, loosen the fuel fill cap to omit any possible vacuum, and run it with bush hog to see if those two variables help at all. Does the tank vent through the lid??

If the tractor will run a couple of hours, I'd be convinced we are past the issue. I will welcome any further advice, and MANY thanks for the input so far!!

Check your radiator as well, not just the overflow tank.

 

[whitetiger]

This last occurrence, I did see that the coolant tank was at the very minimum "low", and I topped it off.

You can not check your coolant level by looking at the surge tank; you have to remove the radiator cap and look in the radiator physically.

I suspect you are very low on coolant, and your engine is getting so hot that the pistons are seizing in the cylinder bores. When you let it cool, the piston shrinks enough to start it again.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yep I'll third the, look in the radiator!

 

[ripleyb]

I hope you all are onto something here. I will check the radiator too!! I have never gotten any dash lights or noticed the temp gauge going high.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I hope you all are onto something here. I will check the radiator too!! I have never gotten any dash lights or noticed the temp gauge going high.

You won't if the water level is too low as it takes water touching the sensors to get an accurate reading.

 

[ripleyb]

Friends, I went home at lunch to put antifreeze in, and as I did, none was entering the overflow tank. I found that I have a puncture to the lower radiator hose that feeds right beside the oil filter. The hole is so small it would be unnoticable as it leaked. I suspect this is 100% my issue, and I am very grateful for the input from each of you!!

Do you all think any damage would have been done to my tractor through all of this?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Friends, I went home at lunch to put antifreeze in, and as I did, none was entering the overflow tank. I found that I have a puncture to the lower radiator hose that feeds right beside the oil filter. The hole is so small it would be unnoticable as it leaked. I suspect this is 100% my issue, and I am very grateful for the input from each of you!!

Do you all think any damage would have been done to my tractor through all of this?

Yes.