[AT] OT - JD STX38 fuel problems - Update

Wed May 19 04:34:57 PDT 2004

Try running something through the fuel line and the fitting that goes
to the tank. A wire or something. Then blow air through the line.

Maybe the little leaf you found has a brother that was in hiding.

Dean VP wrote:
> Mike:
> 
> I'm fresh out of new ideas.
> 
> Dean A. Van Peursem
> Snohomish, WA 98290
> 
> What people can dream, people can do! George W. Bush
> 
> www.deerelegacy.com
> 
> http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike S Meulenberg
> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 5:25 PM
> To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
> Subject: Re: [AT] OT - JD STX38 fuel problems - Update
> 
> Last night when I was experiencing the problem, I pulled the fuel line
> off before the filter, and I had good flow. I dribbled gas into the
> filter to fill it up thinking maybe it was a vapor lock type situation.
> After mowing a while more, I noticed the filter was dry again. This time
> the mower didn't die but it had to be close because I couldn't even see
> the gas trickling in with the engine running. Tonight I went out, and the
> filter was full again. I did fish a little piece of leaf out of the tank,
> but that doesn't explain why I had good flow from the tank last night.
> Here's an update to answer some of the posts:
> 
> - running with the cap off - no change
> - filter is fine, and has only had about 2 gallons of gas through it
> - shutoff valve is open, and the filter is pointed in the right direction
> - I must have an older model because I don't have a solenoid on the carb
> - It is a gravity feed system, no pump
> - Bowl on the carb is clean
> 
> Any more ideas? I'm hoping it was that little leaf, but it doesn't make
> sense.
> 
> Thanks,
> Mike
> 
> 
> On Mon, 17 May 2004 22:21:01 -0700 "Dean VP" <deanvp at att.net> writes:
> 
>>Mike:
>>
>>I'm a little confused now. Previously you mentioned the fuel flow 
>>before the
>>filter was dribbling and the filter was dry, I must have 
>>misunderstood. Is
>>this a gravity feed system? Or is there a fuel pump involved? I have 
>>the
>>parts catalog on the STX38. It looks like gravity feed to me. 
>>
>>Here are some more things to check.
>>
>>1.) Is gasoline cap good?
>>2.) Has the new in-line gas filter plugged up again?
>>3.) Is the shutoff valve completely open? Key 14 on page C22 of the 
>>parts
>>book
>>4.) What does the solenoid do in the carburetor bowl? Does this just 
>>let
>>fuel flow when the switch is on? Doesn't look like a pump. Is this 
>>solenoid
>>acting up? Wiring loose or corroded? This may be where the problem 
>>is. Is
>>the carburetor bowl clean inside? 
>>
>>
>>Dean A. Van Peursem
>>Snohomish, WA 98290
>>
>>What people can dream, people can do! George W. Bush
>>
>>www.deerelegacy.com
>>
>>http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>>[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike S 
>>Meulenberg
>>Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 9:47 PM
>>To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>>Subject: Re: [AT] OT - JD STX38 fuel problems
>>
>>OK, here's what I've done so far, and still the problem persists:
>>- removed the tank, and flushed it several times to be sure it's 
>>clean.
>>The first time I did it, I found a piece of 
>>   leaf that I was sure was causing the problem.
>>- replaced the fuel line and filter, and blew everything out with
>>compressed air.
>>- after the occurrence tonight, I pulled the fuel line just before 
>>the
>>filter, fuel flow was fine.
>>- it seems like the engine/carburetor doesn't have enough pull to 
>>suck
>>the gas through the fuel filter.
>>Any ideas??
>>Thanks,
>>Mike
>>
>>On Mon, 17 May 2004 21:01:44 -0700 "Dean VP" <deanvp at att.net> 
>>writes:
>>
>>>Mike:
>>>
>>>There is a possibility that there is some junk in the tank that is 
>>>partially
>>>blocking the fuel line prior to the filter. One way to check this 
>>>out is to
>>>blow air pressure backwards through the fuel line towards the tank 
>>
>>>prior to
>>>the fuel filter. That will clean it out temporarily but if you 
>>
>>have 
>>
>>>junk in
>>>the tank it will eventually plug again. But if blowing the line 
>>>clean
>>>changes how long it runs then you have a pretty good indicator you 
>>
>>>have a
>>>dirty gas tank. Could be a plugged cap as John mentions or could 
>>
>>be 
>>
>>>a
>>>collapsed or crimped fuel line, but I'm betting on junk in the 
>>
>>tank. 
>>
>>>
>>>Dean A. Van Peursem
>>>Snohomish, WA 98290
>>>
>>>What people can dream, people can do! George W. Bush
>>>
>>>www.deerelegacy.com
>>>
>>>http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>>>[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike S 
>>>Meulenberg
>>>Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 8:36 PM
>>>To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>>>Subject: [AT] OT - JD STX38 fuel problems
>>>
>>>Hi All,
>>>I recently bought a little JD STX38 to cut my lawn. I have a 
>>
>>problem 
>>
>>>with
>>>it running out of fuel in the fuel line even though the tank is 
>>>full. I
>>>replaced the fuel filter after I bought the tractor, and after 
>>
>>that 
>>
>>>it
>>>would run out of fuel after 5-10 minutes of mowing. I thought I 
>>>solved
>>>the problem by filling the filter with fuel, thinking it was like 
>>
>>a 
>>
>>>vapor
>>>lock. I mowed a couple times after that with no trouble. Now 
>>
>>tonight 
>>
>>>the
>>>problem reared it's head again. The filter is dry as can be, and 
>>
>>the 
>>
>>>gas
>>>only dribbles into the filter. Any thoughts as to what might be 
>>>going on
>>>would be appreciated.
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>Mike
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>AT mailing list
>>>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>AT mailing list
>>>ttp://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>>
>>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>AT mailing list
>>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>AT mailing list
>>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>
>>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> 

_______________________________________________
AT mailing list
http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at