Tractor Won't Start and Not Getting Fuel? Here's Your Problem (or at least the first thing to check)
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- čas přidán 8. 05. 2019
- I get comments all the time from viewers whose tractor won't start. They're not getting fuel, they crank and crank, what could be the problem? I've been wanting to do a video about a common issue for a long time...a clogged fuel tank, but until it happened to me I couldn't show the remedy on camera. Getting the tractor running is pretty easy, you gotta blow air back through the fuel line to dislodge the clog, then, at some point, drain and flush the fuel tank. That's a later video; today I'll show what to do to get the tractor started when you're cranking and she won't start...
I finished my video on doing the spring service on a tractor and since I'd changed the fuel filter, I bled the air out of the fuel line and she started right up. I walked back to the tractor and it sputtered a couple of times and died.
Thinking there was still air in the line, I bled it again and it still wouldn't start. By that time it was getting dark so I left it outside and decided to return to it later. Something didn't quite seem right.
Came back a couple of days later and tried to start it again. Wouldn't go and sounded like it wasn't getting fuel. Bled it again and it started right up. I left it running to recharge the battery and came back to move it inside and it had died. What the...?
From that point forward it wouldn't start at all, and when I began tracing the fuel line backwards I could see why. The fuel bowl was more than half empty (or half full if you're a "fuel bowl half full" type of person). There must be a clog in the bottom of the tank, a very common occurrence that will stop a tractor dead in its tracks.
In the fuel chain on my tractor, there's a polyurethane tank, then a long fuel line that leads to the fuel bowl which is where the filter is. There's nothing in between the filter and the tank, so if the fuel bowl isn't full of diesel, there has to be a clog in the tank. There's an easy way to check, and if you're tractor isn't running you'll want to try what I'm going to do in the video.
Before we do, you may wonder why I'd have a clog. I did too. It could be an accumulation of dust and debris has made its way in there, it could be the slimy, algae-type stuff that can grow in a diesel tank has congealed in a disgusting gooey plug, could be I accidentally dropped my nose ring in the tank while I was refueling...don't know what's plugging it up. If it were a metal tank I'd think it was a little chunk of rust which is common, in my polyurethane (plastic) tank, it could be some chunks of that stuff have flaked off and accumulated there in the bottom.
To find out if this is the problem, disconnect the fuel line at the filter housing and use compressed air to blow back through the line. Make sure you have a receptacle to catch any diesel that runs out and a pair of vice grips to clamp the line, in case you run into an issue. Once you disconnect the line, if nothing comes out, you've found your problem. When you blow back through the system, like I do in the video, the obstruction should clear and be ready for a good stream of diesel, which is exactly what happened. I put it all back together, bled the fuel line and she's running like a champ again.
Now, we know that until I flush my fuel tank, this can, and probably will, happen again. I'm hoping I get through the busy season and I'll run the fuel level down low and tackle that project this winter when I'm not needing the tractor as much. I'm sure I'll be doing a video about it. I'll be curious to see what's there in the bottom of the fuel tank causing the problem. Stay tuned!
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Yep - better find out what funky stuff grew or found its way into your tank. You don't want to be in the south 40 and have it die again. You could have a contaminated storage tank. Your videos are always informative. Thanks, take care.
Great cider. I am a new tractor owner, 1984, Ford 2810, and your videos are very helpful.
Thank you! You described our problem to a tee. After following your step by step instructions we were able to fix it and save a service call. You're great!
Thanks Mike. Had assumed I had a plugged fuel filter as engine seemed to be starving. Was getting ready to shop fuel pumps after changing the filter. Tried your trick and sure enough it worked. Will pull and drain tank at some point but running like a top now.
I had a starting problem with my 455g John Deere crawler loader , I found the fuel cap breather nuts were blocked and i think caused back pressure in the tank,it fixed my problem. nice video.
That was good you showed that many folks don’t understand the fuel system it’s rather simple. This is also helpful if a guy had a Geritol moment and ran a tractor out of fuel.
Nice job of thinking ahead with the vise grips. Glad it was a simple fix. Looking forward to the gas tank flush video👍
Thanks Mike, this video saved me a service call. I knew fuel wasn't getting from my tank to the engine but I never thought of simply blowing out the lines. It worked just like you showed, I got my tractor to start and out of the field so now I can drain and clean the tank in the shop.
Thanks Mike. Looking for a first tractor so videos like this are really helpful.
Thank you Mike you solved my problem with a blocked pipe on my little Kubota. Was about to call somebody expensive to come and fix it when I found your video. Brilliant!
Great educational video... Thank you.
Good catch on seeing the fuel bowl
I've got the same issue. I'll have to try this when I get home. Thank you. Liked and subbed.
Nice job, and a well thought-out solution.
Just had this problem today. Excellent video.
Thanks Mike. My issue was the fuel filter housing unit that was clogged up..
Cool video thanks. Most guys wouldn't need to see it but showing it when you bled the line at the injector would've been nice.
I sometimes use my air compressor to blow crud away from the full filler to lessen the chance of contamination while fueling. I was surprised how much muck can build up under the fuel cap. I usually see it during the mowing season.
Awesome video Mike. Thanks.
Excellent video!