L3130 quitting

Thomas Lilli

New member

Equipment
L3130
Nov 25, 2017
1
0
0
Mount Bethel, PA
Hi,

I have an L3130 that has about 900 hours on it. Before I start pulling (and replacing) lines etc, I thought I would get some input.

The machine has run wonderfully for the last ten plus years I have owned it but the other day it lost power and died. I towed it back to the barn. Checked the filter and noticed some long fibrous material in the bottom of the bowl. The filter was spotless. Pulled the return line off the top and blew it through to the tank. Put new filter back in (correctly) and started it up and limped into the barn. Next day I checked for leaks and Fuel level. All good. Started fine. Ran at speed so I tried to drive it a little. After about two minutes, same thing lost power and died. Looked at the fuel filter bowl and the fuel level was half way up the bowl. Leaving it sit for a couple minutes, the Fuel level rose. Started at idle and open the bleed. When I did that, Fuel level in the bowl dropped (I would expect the opposite). So, not sure what is going on. All things being equal, why would opening the bleed introduce air backward into the system?

My first suspicion is a large contaminate in the tank(sabotage, mischief). I run only highway low sulphur Fuel with additives in my tank and use a screened funnel every time I fill. I do not keep it full however and it does sit for periods of time. Fuel looks okay in the filter bowl other than long dark fibers.

I have read the other posts similar to mine and believe this not to be mechanical since it will run for a little while.

Although I am 10 hours over on an oil change, I am pretty fastidious about Maintenance, service regularly and keep it in the barn when not in use.
 
Last edited:

200mph

Well-known member

Equipment
L4740-3 Cab, FEL, Fnt Snow Blower L2185, LP Finish Mower, LP Rotary Mower
Mar 3, 2017
1,228
61
48
PA
You likely have contaminated fuel. Diesel is hydroscopic, so it absorbs moisture and bacteria can grow in this causing problems with fuel delivery.

If I experience this problem. Fuel gets drained from tank (used in the waste oil heater). Tank is removed, thoroughly cleaned and dried before reinstalling and adding fresh fuel.

The bacteria will look like slime or jelly like substance. Of course you might find other interesting things such as leaves, bugs, etc as others have found.

Added in edit:
Agree with D2Cat that a biocide is a good idea and can help keep the fuel clean.
 
Last edited:

Dave_eng

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M7040, Nuffield 465
Oct 6, 2012
5,257
1,042
113
Williamstown Ontario Canada
Hi,

I have an L3130 that has about 900 hours on it. Before I start pulling (and replacing) lines etc, I thought I would get some input.

The machine has run wonderfully for the last ten plus years I have owned it but the other day it lost power and died. I towed it back to the barn. Checked the filter and noticed some long fibrous material in the bottom of the bowl. The filter was spotless. Pulled the return line off the top and blew it through to the tank. Put new filter back in (correctly) and started it up and limped into the barn. Next day I checked for leaks and Fuel level. All good. Started fine. Ran at speed so I tried to drive it a little. After about two minutes, same thing lost power and died. Looked at the fuel filter bowl and the fuel level was half way up the bowl. Leaving it sit for a couple minutes, the Fuel level rose. Started at idle and open the bleed. When I did that, Fuel level in the bowl dropped (I would expect the opposite). So, not sure what is going on. All things being equal, why would opening the bleed introduce air backward into the system?

My first suspicion is a large contaminate in the tank(sabotage, mischief). I run only highway low sulphur Fuel with additives in my tank and use a screened funnel every time I fill. I do not keep it full however and it does sit for periods of time. Fuel looks okay in the filter bowl other than long dark fibers.

I have read the other posts similar to mine and believe this not to be mechanical since it will run for a little while.

Although I am 10 hours over on an oil change, I am pretty fastidious about Maintenance, service regularly and keep it in the barn when not in use.
Another owner with similar issues has started to look at the filter housing as a place for restrictions to form.

Having a water absorption filter element in the fuel delivery system to your tractor would do a lot more for you than just a screened funnel.
https://www.amazon.ca/GOLDENROD-496-Bowl-Water-Block-Filter/dp/B0002YQSQ4
I have one on my bulk tank with manual pump. You could easily set one up with an electric fuel pump to suck from your can(s), through the element and then into your tractor's tank.

The tractor has a filter system to remove water but that is only to protect the injection system. My way protects your tank contents as well.

Dave
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,434
76
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
I would start simple. Drain and clean the tank. Diesel is a nasty fuel and the crap they make now is worse than ever. If I read right you have 2 strikes against you from the start. Not keeping it full and sitting is a death sentence for a diesel. Even in a barn the natural heating and cooling of fuel will allow moisture to collect in you tank which in turn leads to algae.

No telling what you may find but if it was me I would start at the source (tank) and work my way forward. To me it sounds like a restriction in the tank or the line going to your filter.