Diesel flow issue

[Ceilingwalker]

Greetings all. I have a 1995 Bobcat with a Kubota V2203 diesel engine. Ser#718192512. I have a problem that has just started. My machine will start and run, for about 5 minutes. I noticed that the primer bulb gets completely collapsed when the machine dies, and it stays collapsed but fixes itself with time. I removed the fuel cap thinking maybe the tank was venting properly but that had no effect. Is there another place I should be looking? I chased the hose back to make sure there weren't any kinks in it, and there aren't. I am hoping someone else may have encountered this and is able to help. Thank you

 

[mrbb]

a few thoughts
dirt /dirty fuel tank, pick up screen blocking , fuel line itself being partially blocked, gunk can build up on walls of lines over time,
fuel gelling up on you? it is winter time? and not sure where your at or temps your using it in!

 

[Ceilingwalker]

a few thoughts
dirt /dirty fuel tank, pick up screen blocking , fuel line itself being partially blocked, gunk can build up on walls of lines over time,
fuel gelling up on you? it is winter time? and not sure where your at or temps your using it in!

Thank you for the reply. It is cold here however, it was doing this several months ago when it was still warm. I am just using the cold weather as a time to work on it. It has always been in a well insulated garage since I purchased it a couple of years ago. I am hoping this pick up screen doesn't mean I have to pull the engine for the third time. Lol

 

[brdgbldr]

Thank you for the reply. It is cold here however, it was doing this several months ago when it was still warm. I am just using the cold weather as a time to work on it. It has always been in a well insulated garage since I purchased it a couple of years ago. I am hoping this pick up screen doesn't mean I have to pull the engine for the third time. Lol

You can hook up an external fuel tank to see if you have the same problem or not to eliminate other possibilities.

Not sure what model Bobcat you have but some have a fuel tank drain in them so the tank can be emptied and cleaned. You can check to see if yours has a drain in the parts schematics:

https://partscatalog.bobcat.com/

Diesel fuel will grow a very thick algae in some cases. It is thick enough to clog an intake. Especially if off road diesel is specifically used. It seems to be dirtier than road diesel in my experience. It also sits longer in storage tanks.

 

[mrbb]

like I said, I would start with the basic's and more simple things first
like if you have dirt in tank and or bad fuel in general! dirty fuel can do all sorts of odd issues
and on older machines its more likely over the yrs bad fuel and dirt has gotten into a tank

and the pick up tube is in fuel tank, so need to pull an engine to check it, or I would think so!

and I also agree, algae is getting more common of a problem, and seems to happen more when off road diesel is used, or maybe should say, sits longer in tanks as in machines that don't get used a lot to run thru fuel in a short period of time!

 

[reaperman]

The pickup tube/screen does not imply you need to pull the engine. It's accessible by lifting the cab. My guess is you have a 753, 763 or maybe 7753. All of which should allow an easy pickup tube access.

 

[Topper1]

I'm with previous posts but must add Fuel filters?
Try an external fuel supply.
If it runs without issue, check tank screen.
If not, try a new fuel line. I have seen many rubber & plastic fuel lines clogged with gunk and many with inner liner failure, blocking flow.
If still acting up, keep moving up the chain.
Lift pump? primer check valve?

 

[hoardac]

I had to take my tank out and clean it. Ended up replacing the lines and primer bulb while I was at it. Tank had all sorts of weird stuff in it that just kept plugging up.