Cold weather run issue

[jdm4899]

2018 L3560 started and warmed up for 20 minutes in 8 degree temperatures.
Snow graded for 10 minutes and tractor started acting like running out of fuel. Fuel tank full, diesel is fresh and treated. Fuel pump runs up to pressure and stops before cranking. Separator is clean.
Cranks but no start,
Ideas?

 

[pigdoc]

2018 L3560 started and warmed up for 20 minutes in 8 degree temperatures.
Snow graded for 10 minutes and tractor started acting like running out of fuel. Fuel tank full, diesel is fresh and treated. Fuel pump runs up to pressure and stops before cranking. Separator is clean.
Cranks but no start,
Ideas?

The only fuel issue I've had to deal with is water frozen in the line (last winter). My tractor has a handy bleed valve at the top of the injector pump. If the tractor sets for more than a month, before attempting to start, I will open that valve and run out a few ounces. If the fuel doesn't run, I'll dump a quart or two of hot water on the line to get it flowing. I think I was getting condensate settling out in the bottom of the tank. This summer, I ran the tank down as low as I dared, then filled it with pump fuel (not red fuel). Have not had a problem since.

-Paul

PS, I have a NICE new Racor 120A filter set sitting on my shelf, waiting for me to rig it up on the L2500.

 

[L35]

Even though it’s treated it does sound like a waxing issue. I’d see if the local auto parts store has some power service “diesel 911” or similar product if in fact you are waxed up it will re-liquify your fuel. Cheap way to rule that out.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Even though it’s treated it does sound like a waxing issue. I’d see if the local auto parts store has some power service “diesel 911” or similar product if in fact you are waxed up it will re-liquify your fuel. Cheap way to rule that out.

absolutely agree making sure its not a diesel geling issue (wax) issue.

also though it might be water issue. water caught up in say a fuel filter or a water separator or in the tank can freeze.

So is the fuel geling or is the water freezing?? kinda same result but maybe different causes to a starvation problem.

so I would attack both if OP is unsure. Like you point out go after potential geling for sure. i would like to add go after potential water freezing as well.

We were brutally cold out here. -38F this morning.

on guy came into the coffee shop this morning with a fuel filter from one of his tractors that looked like a big softball. It had its bottom blow out round. He was heading to the dealership for a replacement. It froze due to the water that was being held in the filter freezing. His fuel was treated for geling but he is guessing he is using the wrong brand cause clearly his anti-gel wasn't up to the task of demulsifying water as well. Fuel still flowed but caputured water in the filter froze.

 

[pigdoc]

I was going to get with it last summer, but life intervened...

Anyway, I'm about set to re-engineer the fuel delivery system on the L2500.
What motivated me was what the fuel filter was filled with, last time I changed it.
Sort of an emulsifed mass of hydrocarbon and biologic goo,

The fuel filter should NOT be the place that is planned for that (inevitable) stuff to accumulate!

I plan to leave the factory fuel filter where it is, but I'm going to add two features upstream of it on the fuel line:
- Shutoff valve
- Sediment bowl/filter

I haven't spec-ed the shut-off valve yet, but it needs to have 3 ports:
-supply (from the tank)
-outlet to engine
-outlet to ground

...and, 3 positions:
- supply line shut-off
- outlet to engine open
- outlet to ground open

I'll put the shut-off valve on the L side of the tractor as close as I can to the tank. The idea is to be able to shut off the tank between uses, and then be able to drain directly from the tank to the ground before starting. Kinda like with airplane wing tanks. In that location, it will be very accessible.

I have the Racor 120 sediment bowl system:

I'll put this unit upstream of the factory fuel fliter. The fuel drops straight down to the bottom of the clear bowl, and then percolates up through the 10-micron R12 filter. For scale, the two mounting holes at the top are 1-1/4" apart.

I'm using the Baldwin BF940 filter in the factory receptacle which is also a 10-micron filter.

Probably overkill having two fuel filters inline, but what's nice about the Racor is that you can visualize the filter element material without taking anything apart. And of course, drain any water residue or sediment from the bowl. And, it looks to be easier to not mess with the factory setup.

Should be all but bulletproof.

I often go months between uses of the L2500.
Nothing worse than planning some work and then first having to spend hours getting fuel flowing again, especially in winter.

-Paul

 

[bird dogger]

That looks like a nice filter/water drain setup!!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

2018 L3560 started and warmed up for 20 minutes in 8 degree temperatures.
Snow graded for 10 minutes and tractor started acting like running out of fuel. Fuel tank full, diesel is fresh and treated. Fuel pump runs up to pressure and stops before cranking. Separator is clean.
Cranks but no start,
Ideas?

When was the last filter change?

 

[Blue2Orange]

BX owner. Doubt if I could stick a similar setup upstream of the filters. Also, no water separator on the BX. On the old NH always used a particulate/water filter similar to the Mr. Funnel or maybe is when fueling the tractor. Then adding PowerService cetane booster/anti-gel during winter months. Never had a water or gelling issue. Will continue to do so on the BX. Also, no bio-diesel use. Probably start using Clean Diesel with the first and last fill of warm weather diesel. Wish Kubota fuel filters for the BX were clear v. white sort of transparent. Will be interesting when changing to cut them open and see what crud is contaminating the filters.

 

[Seane1987]

Keeping the fuel warm is the only real effective way to prevent the fuel from becoming a white goo.

My BX gets parked in an unheated shed. Once it gets into the single digits I start adding Kerosene to the tank, I add a gallon of kerosene for every 2 of diesel. Most of the municipalities in the northern part of NY run a 60/40 mix for the county and town plow trucks throughout the winter. I don't think you will see it recommended anywhere, but it works.