Ford 655D backhow question

[valve guy]

Just bought a 655D in what we think is pretty good shape. About 2 hours into the first use this weekend, we got the yellow "air cleaner restriction" light warning. We checked the owner's manual and the fix seemed simple...clean/replace the filter. We open it and find a very clean filter. We pull the filter and run unit without to see if the light will go out. It stays on. Further, we notice a very definite loss of power, just as you would expect it to react when starved for air. Additionally, I replaced the fuel filter and it had no affect.

The hydraulics work fine. It's the movement of the tractor, on a slight incline it can barely pull itself up. If we move hydraulics, lift or tilt the bucket the RPMs come up and the tractor resumes what feels like the standard power you would expect.

Any ideas what to look for?

Thank you for your advice.

 

[JF in MI]

A friend of mine had a similar situation with his (may have been a 655 but I think it was a 555). Turned out the fuel filters were clogged because the fuel tank was filled with "jelled" organism filled fuel. He cleaned out the tank, changed filters and it ran like new.

 

[old]

As J.T. say and also check and make sure the air cleaner tube is not full of dirt or a mouse nest etc.

 

[valve guy]

I was really hoping the detail about getting full power back when hydraulics in use would help with a simple diagnosis. That has to be part of this issue.

 

[valve guy]

Fuel filter replaced. There appears to be good, clean, new fuel.

 

[Check Break]

(quoted from post at 08:49:02 12/01/15) 655D. Air cleaner restriction warning light on. Filter is clean. Ran without air filter. No change. Replaced fuel filter. No change. Tractor can barely pull itself up a slight incline. Using hydraulics causes RPMs to come up.

I assume you pulled both air filters out, inner and outer and checked the entire intake. Did you check the turbo.

If you have a fuel problem, there could be a restriction in the fuel line, somewhere between the tank at the fuel shut off valve all the way to the injection pump. Another possibility is the injection pump may have failed.

The hydraulic / rpm issue you describe is odd. Does your tach increase rpm when you engage a hydraulic valve or are you hearing an increase in load on the engine. If an increase in rpm, you are relieving pressure on the hydraulic system by opening a valve. A stuck unload valve will cause the engine to bog down causing the "barely pull itself up a slight incline" symptom. A speck of dirt can cause the unload valve to stick.

Problem is the warning light. It's not related to a hydraulic issue. Any chance you didn't notice the light until the tractor lost power and it's just a coincidence.

 

[Check Break]

(quoted from post at 13:59:56 12/01/15) I was really hoping the detail about getting full power back when hydraulics in use would help with a simple diagnosis. That has to be part of this issue.

Just read this post. I'd check the unload valve first. What you're describing happened to me (sans warning light). Tractor looses all power. Moving hoe (stabilizer) valve causes rpm-s to come up enabling you to move tractor as long as hoe valve is engaged. Cause for me was stuck unload valve. Not sure where it is on the D model but it may be on frame under floorboard on right side of tractor. Check out Messick's online parts diagrams for picture of valve.

 

[John_PA]

It is a torque converter driven transmission so if you are trying to go up a hill, it will slow to a crawl. 1st gear should be better than higher gears when on an incline.

tomorrow in the daylight, I will look at my 555D to see where the air restriction sensor is.

 

[valve guy]

Thx! I hoped it could be something like that, the issue was definitely related.

 

[valve guy]

You nailed it. The spool's boogered up pretty bad. Any ideas on finding a good salvage yard with this. I'm finding absolutely obscene prices for
replacement.

THX !

 

[Check Break]

(quoted from post at 15:41:09 12/07/15) I'm finding absolutely obscene prices for
replacement.

Which valve is damaged. A $2-300 relief valve or a $1,000 control valve. Did you check prices at Messicks.com, online parts, new holland, construction, 655D.

Ford used a lot of Gresen valves. If your valve is a Gresen, you may find something cheap if you can identify the Gresen part number. Parker acquired Gresen and what used to be a $200 valve is now $600. Progress.

If you have a damaged relief valve, Messicks is probably about as cheap and fast as you're going to find. That valve damage didn't happen overnight and was there when you bought the hoe. The good news is you didn't spend $$$ to figure out what was wrong so the repair is a lot cheaper than it would have been.

Post back with your solution and the Gresen part number if your valve turns out to be Gresen.