2011 CAT 259B3 won't start

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Carbor

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Joined
Aug 2, 2025
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I have a 2011 259B3 with almost 6,000 hours. I got the machine about one month ago. It worked and ran good for about 5 hours. The first day of trouble, the machine ran for about 40 minutes, then it quit. I tried starting it but after about 5-7 tries, I stopped trying. about 4 ours later I tried again, it started and ran for about 30 then it quit again. Next day it started, ran for about 30 minutes, then it quit again. But this time it will not start at all. It did not seem to be running hot, the motor oil, the hydraulic oil, and the coolant mix are at normal levels.
Any suggestions where to look first?
 
The issue was resolved when I filled the tank with fuel and the machine ran for several days. Finally, it would run less than 20 minutes at a time and will quit. I have the fuel tank full, but it quit on an incline hill(with the front down, tail up). This time it did not start.
I am thinking it is the pick up tube in the fuel tank. I have it up in the mountains. It is a tracked loader so very hard to move. Can anyone give me instructions on how to go about replacing the pickup tube in the fuel tank? I am sure my problem is fuel related.
 
Carbor said:
The issue was resolved when I filled the tank with fuel and the machine ran for several days. Finally, it would run less than 20 minutes at a time and will quit. I have the fuel tank full, but it quit on an incline hill(with the front down, tail up). This time it did not start.
I am thinking it is the pick up tube in the fuel tank. I have it up in the mountains. It is a tracked loader so very hard to move. Can anyone give me instructions on how to go about replacing the pickup tube in the fuel tank? I am sure my problem is fuel related.
Click to expand...
I’m not familiar with that machine but I have one idea to get the machine moving…

Hook up an external fuel tank, like are used on boats. This will bypass the main tank and if it is your fuel line this should get you running.
 
Thank you for the suggestion. I will go back to the place my machine is at this weekend. I am not sure how to access the fuel line that goes into the fuel tank. I don't know if I have to remove components to access it. If anyone knows how to remove the fuel feed line, let me know. Good day to all!
 
Carbor said:
Thank you for the suggestion. I will go back to the place my machine is at this weekend. I am not sure how to access the fuel line that goes into the fuel tank. I don't know if I have to remove components to access it. If anyone knows how to remove the fuel feed line, let me know.
Click to expand...

If you are going to hook up an external fuel tank, you only need to find a place before the fuel filter to hook into. If there is a primer ball hook it up to the suction end of it.
 

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