[AT] OT - JD STX38 fuel problems - Update

[Dean VP]

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
> > _______________________________________________
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> > 
> > 
> > 
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