Fuel starvation issue

[JimC]

Hey folks, My 763G has an issue with fuel starvation. Not long ago I replaced the pick up tube and filter due to a cracked tube. This week it started acting up again, with what seemed like the same symptoms. The machine runs great, then sometimes an hour later, sometimes a half hour later, it seems to be starving for fuel, and eventually stops running. The tank is nearly full, so that is not the issue. If I let the machine sit for a while, sometimes 5 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes, it starts back up fine and continues to run fine, only to starve out and quit all over again. One thing that I noticed that is different this time vs. before I replaced the pick up tube, is that when I try to pump the primer bulb in an attempt to get fuel to the motor, the primer bulb flattens out and does not respond. It is almost like it is not getting fuel into the pick up. I seem to be answering my own question here as I explain it. Why would my fuel pick up be blocked? What could be blocking it? The filter was just replaced less than 20 - 30 hours ago. Thanks for your thoughts, Jim

 

[jerry]

I have seen it mentioned here and there that there is a elbow on the line coming from the tank that does plug with debris and will cause these symptoms. Bear in mind that I know nothing about this though.

 

[OldMachinist]

I have seen it mentioned here and there that there is a elbow on the line coming from the tank that does plug with debris and will cause these symptoms. Bear in mind that I know nothing about this though.

Sounds like you've got something(old rag, leaves or pieces of the old tube) in the bottom of the tank that's getting sucked on to the pick up.

 

[Tazza]

Sounds like you've got something(old rag, leaves or pieces of the old tube) in the bottom of the tank that's getting sucked on to the pick up.

Even algae can cause this issue. It pluggs up the pickup tube screen, i had a 751 that had this issue.

 

[JimC]

Even algae can cause this issue. It pluggs up the pickup tube screen, i had a 751 that had this issue.

OK, Thanks for the replies, you guys pretty much verified what I was thinking, that it is some type of restriction in the pick up line or tube. If it is algae, is it possible to treat this with some type of additive? If so I would try that before pulling the tank. THANKS, Jim

 

[OldMachinist]

OK, Thanks for the replies, you guys pretty much verified what I was thinking, that it is some type of restriction in the pick up line or tube. If it is algae, is it possible to treat this with some type of additive? If so I would try that before pulling the tank. THANKS, Jim

The stuff that most people call algae in a diesel tank is really a sludge build up from fuel deterioration. The best way to to take care of it is to drain and flush the tank. The 763G has a fuel drain. To get to it you have to remove a plate under the machine towards the rear that is held on with 3 bolts. The fuel drain is the plug on the drivers right side. The left plug is for the chaincase oil.

 

[Tazza]

The stuff that most people call algae in a diesel tank is really a sludge build up from fuel deterioration. The best way to to take care of it is to drain and flush the tank. The 763G has a fuel drain. To get to it you have to remove a plate under the machine towards the rear that is held on with 3 bolts. The fuel drain is the plug on the drivers right side. The left plug is for the chaincase oil.

Exactly what i was going to say. There are fuel system cleaning products that you may want to run through it as well. Drain the tank by removing the plug, ensure you remove the one in the plastic tank, not the chain case one!. Drain it into something so you can filter it and re-use. Put fresh fuel in, run around a little to slosh it about, then drain it too. Fill it again and use additives to kill any algae that may be there and filter your old fuel and add additive to it.
I believe a member on here setup a pump and filter, he drained the fuel, ran it through the filter then back into the tank. This kept going till it was pretty clean. It all depends on what gear you have at your disposal.