No fuel tank through fuel pump???

[Rustyred 63]

Our tractors been running fine. Recently twice after leaving it sit unused for about ten days it then has not started. 

 

Troubleshooting fuel supply:

 

I'm wanting to know if fuel is getting to the carb. I removed the hose from the fuel pump to the carb and cranked the engine. NO FUEL coming through.

 

Valve is open on the tank, filter is about half full of fuel, pump is rebuilt and clean.

 

SHOULD fuel come out of the hose from pump to carb??

 

Thanks for any help!!! I'm no pro!

[rmaynard 16,290]

If the tank has fuel in it, and the screen in the tank is not clogged, and the valve is open, and the in-line filter is not clogged, then yes, there should be fuel coming out of the pump when the engine is turning over. Sounds like a bad pump.

[ZXT 2,401]

 

All it takes is a pinhole in the diaphragm and they're done. I'm assuming it's a Kohler. If it's an original metal pump, I'd rebuild it. If it's a plastic one, I'd put a $13 eBay replacement on it and call it good

[Racinbob 11,919]

What model tractor? If it's a rear fuel tank model like my 2005 Classic the fuel drains back to the tank and if it sits 10 days it takes a bit of cranking to get the fuel going again. It's probably compounded by the fact that it's a Command engine and the fuel pump is a bit higher than on a K-series. I've got an electric pump on the shelf that will be installed before winter. That's when 10+ days of sitting are common and it really had me wondering if it was going to start a couple times this past winter. 

Edited July 2, 2019 by Racinbob

[tunahead72 2,543]

6 hours ago, Rustyred said:

... pump is rebuilt and clean...

 

Has it been running at all since the pump was rebuilt?

 

How old is the fuel you're using?

[953 nut 59,780]

Begin by removing the fuel line to the fuel pump to see if any gas is being delivered. Your fuel pump has two internal check valves that only allow fuel to flow in one direction. If these valves have any crud holding them open the pump will not work well. Ethanol in gas is a problem for all small engines, be sure you use ethanol free gas.  https://www.pure-gas.org/

[Rustyred 63]

Still need help:

 

1. Please see the picture.

2. This is a metal pump rebuilt. New valves, new diaphragm.

3. Yes the machine has run fine - even a couple weeks ago.

4.The fuel is new.

5. Just replaced fuel filter. (correct direction)

6. Screen on tank valve is not clogged - flows well.

 

NEXT QUESTION: Please look at the picture. I rebuilt the pump myself using a kit and the tractor has run. But does it look like I did anything that might be going wrong?

 

How critical is the seating of the valves? In the instructions it said to use a flat head and hammer to tap a couple spots of aluminum housing next to the new valves to hold them in place. I did - as you can see.

 

I blew on the line going into the pump and air went right through. I blew on the outlet hose and a little air went through although barely.

 

Do I need to fill the fuel line somehow to get the whole thing primed?? Or should it just pull the fuel up?

 

thanks again! Really appreciating the assistance.

[ericj 1,579]

I've had tractors when the fuel pump is weak that if you ran them completely out of gas that you could not get them to restart from cranking on them. I call it give them a blow job, You take the fuel cap off and use your mouth and blow into the tank forcing fuel up to the pump, this usually will help get them started but not always. good luck

 

 

 

 

eric j 

[wallfish 18,070]

Those little pods are check valves and the flow direction is towards the carb. just like you found out by blowing into it. They "check" the flow in the other direction so it's a one way flow. The fuel pump may air lock and not be able to pull the fuel into it so pressurizing the tank by blowing it or using compressed air or a squeeze bulb will force the air out and fill it with fuel. Since you got a rebuild kit I assume the diaphragm is good.

[953 nut 59,780]

With a tank under the seat the fuel level is lower than the pump and fuel pumps are better pushers than suckers. Fill the tank, jack up the rear, remove the fuel line (with a container under it) from the pump and get the line full of fuel and put it back on the pump. Once it is liquid solid it should hold a prime.

[Rustyred 63]

Thanks everyone for your help. She's up and running again. Running fuel up into the lines did it well. Now I hope it holds the prime.

 

Thank you! Solved again!