help! my 743 died today

[mikeyc66]

So, i have this machine, fairly new to me, but older and well used. I had a reman engine installed a few weeks ago (long story.. BIG bill) and i've run it around a bit since then (10hrs?) and other then being hard to start when cold/ sitting for a few days it runs fine. Today we got some snow, so i decided to pull it out a do some plowing.. i had tented it in with plastic and an electric heater pointed at the head overnight as an experiment to see if that helped it start cold (no block heater, that is a question for another post) Well, it fired right up first try, and it hasn't gotten over 20 degrees all day today. I plowed my 3-4 of my neighbors driveways, then went down the road (1/2 mile) to another neighbors place, went up thier driveway, turned around to come back down and it died. I tried to restart but it wouldn't run. I figured maybe it was out of fuel (it is a diesel BTW) so i walked home and grabbed a few cans.. went back, poured a bunch in, squezzed the primeing bulb a few times and it started back up.. for about 2 minutes, then it died again. i added more fuel, until it was full, then tried priming again... barely started then died again. I ended up using the starter to "bump" it out of the way, and came home. I am suspecting the fuel filter, a cracked priming bulb or fuel line or??? something else related to fuel delivery. As has been discussed here many times (i've been lurking while my machine had the engine redone.. trying to learn all about them) they won't move if they aren't running.. Nearest diesel mechanics/ parts stores are 25 miles away, nearest Bobcat dealer 75... I'm planing a trip "down" in the morning, seaching for a filter, bulb and some fuel lines.. and? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well as any ideas on testing fuel delivery (unhook hose at intake, put into glass jar, turn over and see if i get fuel?) Thanks and I'm sorry if this turns out to be a simple/ stupid thing like the filter... i'm new to owning equipment like this and I'm starting to wish i had spent more on a newer machine...

 

[OldMachinist]

With the cold temps I'd check first to make sure there isn't water in the fuel filter that has froze. Next would be fuel that has gelled. Get some Power Service Diesel 911 and follow the directions on it.
http://www.powerservice.com/d911/

 

[mikeyc66]

With the cold temps I'd check first to make sure there isn't water in the fuel filter that has froze. Next would be fuel that has gelled. Get some Power Service Diesel 911 and follow the directions on it.
http://www.powerservice.com/d911/

I had filled it with fuel/ Cetane boost the other day, so i think the fuel is OK.. Would replacing the fuel filter solve the water problem? I don't know when it was done last, so i figured it is a start, and the lines/ bulb while i'm in there.. can those filters be drained? or can i pull it and bring it inside/ warm it up and drain it out somehow.. it'll be a few days before it gets above freezing outside, where it is....

 

[Tazza]

I had filled it with fuel/ Cetane boost the other day, so i think the fuel is OK.. Would replacing the fuel filter solve the water problem? I don't know when it was done last, so i figured it is a start, and the lines/ bulb while i'm in there.. can those filters be drained? or can i pull it and bring it inside/ warm it up and drain it out somehow.. it'll be a few days before it gets above freezing outside, where it is....

I'd remove the hose to the injector pump and pump the hand primer. Is the fuel coming out bubbly? or a nice stream of fuel?
The pickup tubes can crack and break in the fuel tank, that is the biggest cause of them stopping.
Ensure the bleed valve on the injector pump is closed too.
Start with seeing if you are getting fuel to the pump. Work from there.

 

[[email protected]]

I'd remove the hose to the injector pump and pump the hand primer. Is the fuel coming out bubbly? or a nice stream of fuel?
The pickup tubes can crack and break in the fuel tank, that is the biggest cause of them stopping.
Ensure the bleed valve on the injector pump is closed too.
Start with seeing if you are getting fuel to the pump. Work from there.

my bet is the pickup tube in tank broke

 

[Impact-vector]

my bet is the pickup tube in tank broke

also thinking fuel pickup tube. Easiest bush fix- Get about 2 yards of fuel hose. Disconnect the bulb from the tank side and connect one side of your 2 yard hose. Take the other side and push it down the fuel filler neck. Prime it (and im hoping you know about the 2 bleeders?) and you should be good to limp it back. After that google "Bobcat fuel pickup tube" and there is a nice write up on how to replace it. Mine literally took me 4 minutes!

 

[mikeyc66]

also thinking fuel pickup tube. Easiest bush fix- Get about 2 yards of fuel hose. Disconnect the bulb from the tank side and connect one side of your 2 yard hose. Take the other side and push it down the fuel filler neck. Prime it (and im hoping you know about the 2 bleeders?) and you should be good to limp it back. After that google "Bobcat fuel pickup tube" and there is a nice write up on how to replace it. Mine literally took me 4 minutes!

Well, i ended up taking a drive out to Bobcat yesterday, they said that most likey dying in extreme cold = water in fuel system, somewhere.. I did buy; new pick-up tube and pre-filter, new grommets and 90's, fuel line, filter and priming bulb, for about $50. new strut for my door was $42, and a "Classic Model" 1/19 scale model of the 743 for $22... so i have something to play with until i fix the "real" one! hahaha I'm gonna wait a few days for things to warm up, see if it'll run (maybe with external fuel can) so i can get it home to work on inside (or maybe on my trailer, in case it still won't work right).... Plan is to lift cab, drain/ pull tank, flush, replace everything from pick-up screen to engine... and hope for the best Thanks for all the help, and i'm really glad i found this forum! if i ever get this thing running well enough to make $$ i'll be donating, for sure! Also bought stuff to paint it, so stay tuned, pictures/ new thread to follow!

 

[Impact-vector]

Well, i ended up taking a drive out to Bobcat yesterday, they said that most likey dying in extreme cold = water in fuel system, somewhere.. I did buy; new pick-up tube and pre-filter, new grommets and 90's, fuel line, filter and priming bulb, for about $50. new strut for my door was $42, and a "Classic Model" 1/19 scale model of the 743 for $22... so i have something to play with until i fix the "real" one! hahaha I'm gonna wait a few days for things to warm up, see if it'll run (maybe with external fuel can) so i can get it home to work on inside (or maybe on my trailer, in case it still won't work right).... Plan is to lift cab, drain/ pull tank, flush, replace everything from pick-up screen to engine... and hope for the best Thanks for all the help, and i'm really glad i found this forum! if i ever get this thing running well enough to make $$ i'll be donating, for sure! Also bought stuff to paint it, so stay tuned, pictures/ new thread to follow!

Check out this site ---- http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?29145-Bobcat-fuel-pick-up-tube-repairs ---- I thought it was great for finding out how etc. sure helped me