JD 5055E Fuel System Question

[Axtell]

First off I am not that familiar with these newer tractors when it comes to repair as my experience is limited to the MF and Fords of yesteryear, so forgive me or laugh at me if you must - lol. The question pertains to draining the water out of the fuel filter and what should I be seeing. We found the bowl and drained the water from the bowl until it stopped. We sorta expected it to continue running until we could see pure fuel, but it just stopped after the water drained. Is this expected or does it only fill back up with water over time. I've heard the term "water trap" in reference to how these separators work. Does that mean you will not see any fuel in the bowl and only water as it is filtered? Also there is a connector above and to the right of the fuel filter that we have to disconnect prior to changing the fuel filter. What is this connection responsible for? Thanks.

 

[wore out]

First off I am not that familiar with these newer tractors when it comes to repair as my experience is limited to the MF and Fords of yesteryear, so forgive me or laugh at me if you must - lol. The question pertains to draining the water out of the fuel filter and what should I be seeing. We found the bowl and drained the water from the bowl until it stopped. We sorta expected it to continue running until we could see pure fuel, but it just stopped after the water drained. Is this expected or does it only fill back up with water over time. I've heard the term "water trap" in reference to how these separators work. Does that mean you will not see any fuel in the bowl and only water as it is filtered? Also there is a connector above and to the right of the fuel filter that we have to disconnect prior to changing the fuel filter. What is this connection responsible for? Thanks.

If you use good fuel and store it properly finding water there should be RARE if it ever happens. As to the wires, either for a "water in fuel"indicator or a fuel heater.

 

[Harry in Ky]

It might help if you mentioned how old your tractor is. That model was built for fifteen years or so, and a few different variations are involved. Is it a common sense fuel system or common rail? The filter system would be somewhat different. (along with everything else)

 

[Jim.ME]

A guess is that the fuel stopped running due to the arrangement of the fuel system. There is a lift pump ahead of the filter. Fuel may not readily flow through the pump.

Do you have the Operator's manual for it? You can download a free copy from the JD Ag 7 Turf bookstore. As Harry noted there are a number of variations, so you need the serial number among other info to get the correct manual. Here is a link to the bookstore. Go to Equipment Publications and Model Search 5055E. You will see all the choices to pick from.

JD Ag & Turf Bookstore

 

[Axtell]

It might help if you mentioned how old your tractor is. That model was built for fifteen years or so, and a few different variations are involved. Is it a common sense fuel system or common rail? The filter system would be somewhat different. (along with everything else)

I am starting to find that out now. I am thinking it is around a 2020-2021 model.

 

[Axtell]

A guess is that the fuel stopped running due to the arrangement of the fuel system. There is a lift pump ahead of the filter. Fuel may not readily flow through the pump.

Do you have the Operator's manual for it? You can download a free copy from the JD Ag 7 Turf bookstore. As Harry noted there are a number of variations, so you need the serial number among other info to get the correct manual. Here is a link to the bookstore. Go to Equipment Publications and Model Search 5055E. You will see all the choices to pick from.

JD Ag & Turf Bookstore

I have the Owners manual and even spent the $140 for the Technical manual. Figured I would need it someday. I also discovered there are CTMs for the engine itself. I found a copy of that but the publication date is 2006. They do not go that much into theory. I have looked up the placement of the serial numbers so that is my next step when I get back out there.

 

[Jim.ME]

I have the Owners manual and even spent the $140 for the Technical manual. Figured I would need it someday. I also discovered there are CTMs for the engine itself. I found a copy of that but the publication date is 2006. They do not go that much into theory. I have looked up the placement of the serial numbers so that is my next step when I get back out there.

In the clip from one of the 5055E Operator's manuals (I don't know it yours is the same, but expect it is similar) I looked at from the JD Bookstore, in the Maintenance - Fuel System section, I found it tells how to change the fuel filter separator. It says drain fuel from the filter. That sounds like what you saw when you drained to check for water, the filter drained and flow stopped. The instructions continue with instructions to change the filter. Since you only drained the filter, didn't change it, you should skip the change and go to the step of refilling and bleeding the fuel system to get the air out of the empty fuel filter/water separator. You should at least bleed the filter separator, which you opened, before starting.

To your original post. Like wore out posted, if you are buying clean fuel and handling/storing it properly, it will be rare to find water in the separator. Water, if any, would come out first, then fuel. Depending on how tight the fuel pump internals are, or if you shut the fuel off, there would be a vacuum form in the filter separator as the liquids drained out of the filter. It likely will not continue to run out as "the MF and Fords of yesteryear" would. Many of those had a gravity flow system with the tank above the engine, lending to the fuel continuing to run easier when the filters were opened.

 

[Jim.ME]

"Also there is a connector above and to the right of the fuel filter that we have to disconnect prior to changing the fuel filter. What is this connection responsible for?"

If the connector is electrical, wore out likely has the answer. There is mention of connecting the harness after draining the water, in the section "Drain Water and Sediment from Fuel Filters". Can you follow the wires from the end you remove to their termination point? We can't see it.

If there was not water in the first bit of liquid that comes out the drain you stop. If it stopped after a good bit of water and such came out, without any fuel, perhaps you need to change the filter and clean the housing. That would be a sign of a fuel handling issue. It appears those tractors have water traps at the fuel tank to catch sediment at the tank. If yours has one, have you serviced that if your tractor has one? That definitely should be done if there is water and sediment in the filter bowl.

 

[Axtell]

Had some time to take some photo's. Did find it’s a 2016 model. Cab if that helps. Forgot to trace back the wires. No comment on the quality of fuel. Thats a sore subject.

 

[Jim.ME]

Had some time to take some photo's. Did find it’s a 2016 model. Cab if that helps. Forgot to trace back the wires. No comment on the quality of fuel. Thats a sore subject.

If there is a problem with fuel quality, then perhaps a filter change and draining the tank water trap is overdue.

 

[Axtell]

If there is a problem with fuel quality, then perhaps a filter change and draining the tank water trap is overdue.

I agree with that, but was just wondering how this new stuff works. Tank water trap? I will look that one up too. I really appreciate that.

 

[Jim.ME]

I agree with that, but was just wondering how this new stuff works. Tank water trap? I will look that one up too. I really appreciate that.

Just asking about things I read in the 5055E operator's manual I looked at. I found that info in the Maintenance - Fuel System section of the one I looked at. I don't know it is the right manual for the 5055E you have. You said you have the Operator's manual for it. If you have crappy fuel that problem is upstream of the tractor.

 

[Axtell]

Just asking about things I read in the 5055E operator's manual I looked at. I found that info in the Maintenance - Fuel System section of the one I looked at. I don't know it is the right manual for the 5055E you have. You said you have the Operator's manual for it. If you have crappy fuel that problem is upstream of the tractor.

oh, ok. I thought your ment off the fuel tank on the tractor itself like it was off the filter.

 

[Axtell]

oh, ok. I thought your ment off the fuel tank on the tractor itself like it was off the filter.

The tank on the farm has been there for many years. It’s a metal tank on skids on the ground. it sits on a tilt and pull fuel from it with a hand pump from the high side of the tank. We have to be mindful to let the fuel “settle” after the delivery truck delivers it. It just seems this tractor is not as forgiving with it. We been burning it in MFs 265, 250 and 35 with no real issues. Just change the filters a couple times every season. The 5055 is a new animal and I have to get familiar with it with help from the good people on this site,

 

[Jim.ME]

oh, ok. I thought your ment off the fuel tank on the tractor itself like it was off the filter.

The manual I looked at gives instructions to open the drain plug on the tractor fuel tank to remove water and sediment. Sorry, tank water trap was not JD's wording. I call the area a trap, from the picture it looks like it is a low spot in the tank which would collect such.

What are the John Deere publication numbers of the manuals you have? with at least the publication number (complete alpha and numeric) of the operator's manual we could find the same manual at the JD bookstore to look at.

 

[Axtell]

The manual I looked at gives instructions to open the drain plug on the tractor fuel tank to remove water and sediment. Sorry, tank water trap was not JD's wording. I call the area a trap, from the picture it looks like it is a low spot in the tank which would collect such.

What are the John Deere publication numbers of the manuals you have? with at least the publication number (complete alpha and numeric) of the operator's manual we could find the same manual at the JD bookstore to look at.

View attachment 91182

I have the documents on my PC which I am not at right now. I will check them in the morning. I do remember in the one I have, one of the steps to change the filter or drain the water is to disconnect that connector at the top of the fuel filter assembly. I was just wondering what that was. As it did not seem to be in the way. I tend to overthink things I guess.

 

[Jim.ME]

The tank on the farm has been there for many years. It’s a metal tank on skids on the ground. it sits on a tilt and pull fuel from it with a hand pump from the high side of the tank. We have to be mindful to let the fuel “settle” after the delivery truck delivers it. It just seems this tractor is not as forgiving with it. We been burning it in MFs 265, 250 and 35 with no real issues. Just change the filters a couple times every season. The 5055 is a new animal and I have to get familiar with it with help from the good people on this site,

Does the pump have a good quality filter (water absorbing as well as sediment) on the pump discharge. Have you set up a suction tube to the bottom of the low end of the tank and pumped some out to see how much has built up in it? Do you treat the fuel in the tank with a biocide type tank cleaner every delivery?

They make "socks" you can drop (they have a retrieval cord) in to a tank and they absorb only water. I have some Sta Dri, Inc. ones and New Pig makes some. There may be others. Your fuel supplier may have sources for such.

It sounds like you should be considering a new tank, or a thorough cleaning of your tank.

 

[Axtell]

Does the pump have a good quality filter (water absorbing as well as sediment) on the pump discharge. Have you set up a suction tube to the bottom of the low end of the tank and pumped some out to see how much has built up in it? Do you treat the fuel in the tank with a biocide type tank cleaner every delivery?

They make "socks" you can drop (they have a retrieval cord) in to a tank and they absorb only water. I have some Sta Dri, Inc. ones and New Pig makes some. There may be others. Your fuel supplier may have sources for such.

It sounds like you should be considering a new tank, or a thorough cleaning of your tank.

Embarrassingly No on every one of your questions and I have pushed for a new tank, hence we enter the aforementioned sore spot. Seems the more I mention it the less likely something will be done about it. Hopefully one day.

 

[Jim.ME]

Embarrassingly No on every one of your questions and I have pushed for a new tank, hence we enter the aforementioned sore spot. Seems the more I mention it the less likely something will be done about it. Hopefully one day.

At least invest in a good filter on the tank pump discharge port. And try pumping some off the bottom of the low end. The crud may be getting deep enough to reach the high end pump pick up pipe.

 

[Axtell]

At least invest in a good filter on the tank pump discharge port. And try pumping some off the bottom of the low end. The crud may be getting deep enough to reach the high end pump pick up pipe.

Sounds like a compromise to me. I’ll look these up and how I can fit it in with the pump we have and see what they say.