fuel lock

[Gene C]

I have a TO-30 that had been setting for a couple of years. I cleaned out the gas tank and fuel vlave, oil and filter, new plugs-coil-condenser (cap and rotor were fine), and a new see-through fuel filter installed at the carb.

I get fuel to the filter and carb and at idle and slow speed the engine runs fine. At high speed the filter is sucked empty and the engine will finally stop.

Opening a clamp at the filter will allow the fuel to flow into the filter. Valve and sediment bulb are clean and working. Any ideas on what is holding up the fuel?

 

[John (UK)]

Is the air hole in the Tank Cap blocked? To confirm that it is short of air to the Tank just run with the cap loose a little while.

 

[Jeff-oh]

To clairify what John is saying, this is a gravety system. As gas is drained in the tank it needs to be replaced with air. There is a hole in the gas cap to allow air into the tank during operation. If blocked then the fuel will be held in the tank by the ambiant air pressure at the fuel filter... just like an office water cooler, or auto pet waterer.

If you loosen the cap or remove it see how it runs. If better then check the cap.

Though I am not sure what you mean by the Filter is sucked empty. (I am assuming just a little to allow an air bubble at the top, not the whole way empty.)

 

[Gene C]

Thanks for the replys. The cap does not fit tight; infact I can take it off and there is no difference.

The filter is a see-through unit with the filter cartridge inside. The fuel is visible in the filter and can not be seen when the filter is sucked dry.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You have the wrong fuel filter. The one you have is intended for fuel systems with a fuel pump and the pressure is way too low for it to pass fuel with the gravity system. Replace it with a piece of pipe. There may be a filter large enough for your tractor to go in line with graivty only, but the ones for a Briggs won't pass enough fuel either.

Gerald J.

 

[dfitch]

Gene I had the same problem with my TO30. After running for a while my gas line fills with air until I loosen the fitting at the shutoff valve and allow the air to escape. I have an after market shutoff valve and sediment bowl and I think that is the problem. I don't know where it comes from but the air will not go across the sediment bowl to be released up into the gas tank. I replaced everything including the carburator and did not fix it. I finally installed a work around. I put a Tee fitting at the shutoff valve and ran a vent tube up to above the top of the gas tank to allow the air to escape and have not had a problem since.

 

[John (UK)]

The filter can't be "sucked" dry as you put it as there is no pump to suck it dry, it is only gravity feed, try another filter as Gerald suggests or take the filter out altogether and replace the tank filter and bowl so it filters everything as it did originally...John

 

[Lance J.]

Hmmm... I always thought that on this type of fuel system, the sediment bowl was the filter, obviating the need for a separate filter.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I have a the regular sediment bowl on my TO-30 and use a Fram G-1 or a lawnmower filter from Walmart in the line and I have no problems with fuel delivery.

 

[Jeff-oh]

I see, This line filter is getting blocked up stream somehow, perhaps sediment, rust or other "floties" after it dies next time stirr the fuel a little and see if the filter fills again. Though I am supportive of getting a correct filter bowl in there.