Private_Pyle
05-08-2006, 08:01 PM
I bought used machine last winter ( January time frame ) with about 90 hours on it. It was clean and looked well cared for. This is my first garden tractor, so I think I made a rookie mistake or bought a machine with a problem I was unaware of.
Now, I got the machine out a week ago Saturday to cut the front yard. It started right up and I thought everything was great. I cut the grass for about 10 minutes and it started to run rough. I took it back to the garage and inspected the fuel filter because I bought a new one and planned to install it when I changed the oil, but just didn't. I took the filter off, and solids came out! Reddish-brown solids in the gas, I've never seen that before.
After installing the new filter, it started right back up and ran great. I took it out and finished cutting. Just as I was finishing up, it started to get rough again, so I pulled the filter, and it was plugging up again. Now I'm getting concerned. I clean out the filter, and re-installed it. Started the thing back up, it ran great for a minute or two, so I shut it off and called it quits.
Then on Sunday I started went to start it up, and it tried to started, then nothing. It turns over well, but won't start. I took out the owners manual and found out that there is a second fuel filter under the seat between the tank and the pump that goes along with the one I'd been cleaning between the pump and the carb. This one was packed almost solid, so I'm starting to think that I need to take the tank off and clean it out. But I have another problem. After cleaning and re-installing this filter, and also the front filter I try to start the machine, and it still won't start. Not only won't it start, but I have no gas at all in the filter in front of the pump, but the one between the tank and the pump is full. Gravity still draws gas from the tank, but it appears the pump won't pump.
So, I thought that maybe there was a new blockage in the fuel line someplace. I fill the air compressor and shot compressed air though the line to clear any blockage. Gas, air and more reddish-brown stuff ended up making a mess in the pan and splashing around on the garage floor. But at least I knew that a blockage wasn't the problem.
I tried again to hook up both filters and start the tractor, but no dice. I still get gas in the rear filter, but the front filter is dry.
I called the dealer to order a new pump and he recommeded making sure that it isn't an electrical problem before ordering a new pump. He also told me that he didn't have the part in stock and has never sold one because he's never seen one fail. Gave the line about that not meaning that mine didn't go casters up, but he thought it doubtful.
Alright, all that info for these questions. I've never used a test light to check this sort of thing so what the best ( or only ) method to determine if I have current running to the pump? Is my machine suffering from bad gas or is some kind of dirt in the tank? I'm not really sure what the stuff in the filters is, but if it led to the downfall of this pump, I wan to get out corrected before I install a new one. Is there an easy way to remove the tank from the tractor or clean the crap out with removing it. I though about just draining the fuel out by letting it run out the hose, but I'm concered that would be a complete waste because the sediment would remain on the bottom because the machine is sitting still, but running around the yard with it would stir it up and reintroduce the problem.
Any suggestions? Sorry this was so long but I wanted to get all the information out there that I could think of.
Thanks!
Now, I got the machine out a week ago Saturday to cut the front yard. It started right up and I thought everything was great. I cut the grass for about 10 minutes and it started to run rough. I took it back to the garage and inspected the fuel filter because I bought a new one and planned to install it when I changed the oil, but just didn't. I took the filter off, and solids came out! Reddish-brown solids in the gas, I've never seen that before.
After installing the new filter, it started right back up and ran great. I took it out and finished cutting. Just as I was finishing up, it started to get rough again, so I pulled the filter, and it was plugging up again. Now I'm getting concerned. I clean out the filter, and re-installed it. Started the thing back up, it ran great for a minute or two, so I shut it off and called it quits.
Then on Sunday I started went to start it up, and it tried to started, then nothing. It turns over well, but won't start. I took out the owners manual and found out that there is a second fuel filter under the seat between the tank and the pump that goes along with the one I'd been cleaning between the pump and the carb. This one was packed almost solid, so I'm starting to think that I need to take the tank off and clean it out. But I have another problem. After cleaning and re-installing this filter, and also the front filter I try to start the machine, and it still won't start. Not only won't it start, but I have no gas at all in the filter in front of the pump, but the one between the tank and the pump is full. Gravity still draws gas from the tank, but it appears the pump won't pump.
So, I thought that maybe there was a new blockage in the fuel line someplace. I fill the air compressor and shot compressed air though the line to clear any blockage. Gas, air and more reddish-brown stuff ended up making a mess in the pan and splashing around on the garage floor. But at least I knew that a blockage wasn't the problem.
I tried again to hook up both filters and start the tractor, but no dice. I still get gas in the rear filter, but the front filter is dry.
I called the dealer to order a new pump and he recommeded making sure that it isn't an electrical problem before ordering a new pump. He also told me that he didn't have the part in stock and has never sold one because he's never seen one fail. Gave the line about that not meaning that mine didn't go casters up, but he thought it doubtful.
Alright, all that info for these questions. I've never used a test light to check this sort of thing so what the best ( or only ) method to determine if I have current running to the pump? Is my machine suffering from bad gas or is some kind of dirt in the tank? I'm not really sure what the stuff in the filters is, but if it led to the downfall of this pump, I wan to get out corrected before I install a new one. Is there an easy way to remove the tank from the tractor or clean the crap out with removing it. I though about just draining the fuel out by letting it run out the hose, but I'm concered that would be a complete waste because the sediment would remain on the bottom because the machine is sitting still, but running around the yard with it would stir it up and reintroduce the problem.
Any suggestions? Sorry this was so long but I wanted to get all the information out there that I could think of.
Thanks!