Perplexing issue with my ZTR

[John M]

No where near apples to apples, but my JD 1145 with dual tanks would run out of fuel (diesel) on both tanks after about 20 minutes. This is what I found on the end of the suction lines in both and my fix. Fix has been working for 3 years.View attachment 80292View attachment 80293View attachment 80294

Both of mine are new, but the old ones looked fine. Thanks though as I had originally thought something like that years ago when i first started having this issue.

 

[Blackhole49]

Was that tank shavings or gunk or the slimy bacteria/algae ?

None of the above. Machine is a 2000 that I got well used in 2019. Mostly dirt, grass and other debris that got in the tank during fueling or possibly being run without the fuel caps at one time. Here is a picture of the total debris in both tanks. The screen/filter on the end of the lines were incredibly small.

 

[CTrbradk]

What type of clamps are being used on the fuel lines? Worm gear clamps can cause slight vacuum leaks. Pinch type clamps work the best for vacuum operated fuel pumps and fuel systems

 

[CTrbradk]

Also known as spring clip clamps or spring band hose clamps

 

[John M]

What type of clamps are being used on the fuel lines? Worm gear clamps can cause slight vacuum leaks. Pinch type clamps work the best for vacuum operated fuel pumps and fuel systems

They are the pinch type that were included with the kit for the new lines. All of them are.

 

[showcrop]

My Ferris with 23 HP Briggs didn't want to keep running. I finally checked the inline gas filter. I was packed with grass.

 

[Tgrasher]

How ever possible, can you check your gas flow rate into a clear jar from each tank. Like a tractor fuel line it should put out a pint a minute.

 

[T.R.K.]

Worked on some Bobcats that the pickup tube was actually curling up out of the fuel down in the tank. If the tank was full they would run a while and stall with about 1/2 a tank full.

Worked on some Bobcats that the pickup tube would become loose on the nipple where the elbow went into the top of the tank. then it would suck air from above the fuel level.

Worked on an MTD (Troybilt) that the pickup line was cut square on the bottom. Would jam down tight against the bottom of the tank. I am thinking the tube actually grew longer after being exposed to ethanol blend gasoline.

Found at least one Toro where the pickup line (stiff nylon) would fold over flat about three inches above where it hit the bottom of the fuel tank.

There was another toro with one small leaf inside the pickup tube. It would run up to 45 minutes before the leaf folded over and caused problems.

Also, try placing the pickup tube in a container, set the fuel selector to the problem tank and blow backward from the fuel pump end of the fuel line to be sure nothing is plugging the lines or selector valve.

 

[Dingo3]

New valves, one on eachtank, but yes they are clean. This was happening BEFORE I did anything to it as well.

Is this a stock set up? If yes, are you shutting off the empty tank? Maybe that’s why it won’t run when the right tank is empty, Sucking air from it. Just a thought since everything is new and unobstructed.
All the twin tanks I’ve used had one two way valve for left and right tanks with the center position being off.

 

[John M]

Is this a stock set up? If yes, are you shutting off the empty tank? Maybe that’s why it won’t run when the right tank is empty, Sucking air from it. Just a thought since everything is new and unobstructed.
All the twin tanks I’ve used had one two way valve for left and right tanks with the center position being off.

Yes, Ive tried shutting the valve off. Even if fuel is in both tanks it still will not stay running good on the left tank. These are simple on and off valves.

 

[DaveBN]

Try an electric fuel pump or pull.the lines from your pump and replumb it for testing. Run lines to and from the pump to gas cans and see if your pumping enough fuel.
Dave