'99 863 Highflow - removing fuel

[B_rad]

Appreciate it! I may try one size smaller tubing and see if I can gain access. Now that you mention the sending unit, I did notice that when I started it back up with fresh fuel, it was beeping for low fuel after putting in 5 gallons

 

[B_rad]

You could be hitting the fuel sending unit,also you may be able to pull the fuel sending unit and get a new gasket when you put it back, going through the fill tube is best as we don't want to create new problems but sometimes we have to.

I just noticed that the drawing is calling off a strainer (#18) at the tank...I'm betting that it has never been pulled...looks like more work to get to the issue.

 

[Tlawdogg]

Can you run a separate diesel tank ??
Like a 1 gallon ? Plumb it in at fuel pump or at bulb. Strap it on top above door or on door .
Then you will know if its the tank or not.
But yes, Strainer on bottom..if debris inside it will clog up while running.very common...clog or broken tube..will run fine for a short time then "Starve" out..

 

[B_rad]

Trying the add on fuel was also mentioned, and I forgot to try that. That will be next on my list...as you mentioned, that would isolate the supply circuit and determine what's next...thanks for the reminder!

 

[ward]

It does look like you will have to pull the screen to get to the bottom of the tank.

 

[B_rad]

It does look like you will have to pull the screen to get to the bottom of the tank.

Now I'm really confused!! Hung 5 gallons off the back of the skid steer, primed the line and it fired up after just a few revolutions. Ran for apx a minute and a half and stalled like it was doing. I know a new fuel pump doesn't mean anything with today's quality of parts, but does that sound like a bad fuel pump?

 

[ward]

Could be you got a dud, I would reprime and try again, I am guessing that you have the return line running back to the test jug, I have heard of rubber fuel lines collapsing if they had been contaminated with something like gas or brake fluid, some people are not careful about cross contamination, I saw this when working in shops.

 

[B_rad]

Could be you got a dud, I would reprime and try again, I am guessing that you have the return line running back to the test jug, I have heard of rubber fuel lines collapsing if they had been contaminated with something like gas or brake fluid, some people are not careful about cross contamination, I saw this when working in shops.

I had not pulled the return, but certainly could...that's not too difficult at all. I did reprime and try again, to no avail. What's funny is the darn thing ran fine when I left it with Bobcat...they only had the control valve they messed with. Frustrating...

 

[ward]

I think I would cut the fuel filter open and see if the filter is collapsing if it was mine, I do assume that changing the fuel filter was a first step when this cropped up? And look the filter housing over carefully could be a micro crack opening up allowing it to suck air, also if the mechanic did not lube the seal on the filter it could cause the same problem, engine runs until the filter empty and dies, or old gasket from previous filter stuck on filter housing not allowing proper seal, the bleeder for the fuel filter not quite sealing allowing a little air in until it dies.

 

[Tlawdogg]

I would say 80% of over-seas parts are JUNK to start. Plain trash. When was "New" fuel pump put on? After Bobcat service or before?
Have someone crank over while you re-route the intake line back into container. See if it pumps consistantly or poops out?
Ward has great points but I'm betting on fuel pump.

 

[ward]

I think I would cut the fuel filter open and see if the filter is collapsing if it was mine, I do assume that changing the fuel filter was a first step when this cropped up? And look the filter housing over carefully could be a micro crack opening up allowing it to suck air, also if the mechanic did not lube the seal on the filter it could cause the same problem, engine runs until the filter empty and dies, or old gasket from previous filter stuck on filter housing not allowing proper seal, the bleeder for the fuel filter not quite sealing allowing a little air in until it dies.

I had a ditch witch with a dutz I took each fitting off starting at the lift pump as it had great suction, The unit had a right and left fuel tank but the fuel line from the tank was about 3/16 dia, a T that feed the main line to the lift pump under the unit had a pice of cellophane wrapper from the top of a cirggerate pack plugging the line,, you could prime the unit and start it and it would rum for about 5 minutes then starve out and die, I had to use a drill bit with my fingers to work it out I think it would relax and allow fuel to flow after the unit died then scrunch up and plug the line when running. Good news for you it seems you have taken the fuel tank out of the equation.

 

[GMason]

Fuel pick up broken? Seems like a common problem.
When it stalled out did you check the fuel bulb hose. Was it solid? Sucked in?
The bulb can tell a lot.
Can you run a "Portable" can and hook up to fuel pump? That is how a lot get skid steers running and moving. It would tell you if the "Tank" is the problem.
Also check new fuel filter, any water to drain or none?
Good Luck!
Todd

My thoughts as well
We had the same problem with a 953
Random shut down or would not start
it was the fuel pick up line
They degrade over time sitting in fuel and will crack and disintegrate
Allows air into the fuel system

 

[B_rad]

Well let's see....new fuel shut down solenoid and relay and new primer bulb....bulb now collapses when trying to start. Picking up a new fuel pickup tube and strainer... time to crawl back inside again.

 

[Tlawdogg]

B_rad,
Keep us posted. Try not to throw too many parts on it if you don't have to or you KNOW the old part was no good.
Todd

 

[B_rad]

I knew the solenoid was bad and the tech at Bobcat recommended the relay when I was picking up the strainer and hose for the pickup. Good news is, all those parts seem to have not been in vain.

I primed it up to the top of the filter being I had everything pulled out (I replaced the supply line while I was playing blind contortionist as well), started up within seconds. I was like finally!!!

Took it for a drive across the yard and it started to bog down again. Jumped out quick to check the primer bulb and it was 1/2+ collapsed again. That leaves me with one thing remaining i believe...so much build up of crud in the tank that it's getting the new strainer plugged. It sits for a minute and it will start back up for a few moments until it's drained the line again.

With all of this, I believe I am going to put down some blocks and drive the left side up on them and drain all the fuel through the drain port (after i put a little air to the supply line and attempt to clear the strainer first), put a couple gallons of fuel in and drain again.

Wish me luck. Open to any other thoughts as well.

B_rad,
Keep us posted. Try not to throw too many parts on it if you don't have to or you KNOW the old part was no good.
Todd

 

[Tlawdogg]

Almost there!!
Good Luck!

 

[B_rad]

Almost there!!
Good Luck!

Thanks, Todd. I thought someone said the fuel drain was accessible thru the bottom of the machine. I took off a cover plate on the bottom thinking that was it, but I was mistaken. Does this have to be done from the top?? Don't make sense.. but

 

[Tlawdogg]

Sorry , I was responding to the strainer.
What does Schematic show...pulls straight out forward or backwards?
#11 & 20 on schematic right??

***Update...when looking under the skid steer from rear towards front, do you see a plug on left and plug on right? Probably hard to see. About rear axel / oil pan area. One is for draining the Case the Other SHOULD be the tank drain!!
I found this::::
, here is the resolution. There is indeed an inspection plate at the rear of my Bobcat 863 just behind the rear axel and there are two grommets with metal plugs, one on the right and one on the left when viewed from the rear of the machine. The one on the left is the drain for the chain oil, but the one on the right is the fuel tank drain. I pulled the plug and diverted the flow into 5-gallon buckets, the first of which would have
caught the water in the tank before the full tank of diesel drained.

I remember the "TWO" plugs when I drained the CASE a few years ago...I had asked Bobcat which to pull when I bought the plug & seal....

 

[B_rad]

I believe that is what I saw after reading your last reply. I pulled the inspection plate, but expected to see a vertical drain plug, vs going straight forward. I definitely could feel the left plug when I was trying to clean debris from the area. I will check again tomorrow to see if I can feel the one on the right.

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[Tlawdogg]

Keep us posted. I can take a picture of mine tomorrow if you need..
Todd