February 11, 2015 Diesel Fuel- Help! I ran out of fuel! Diesel is a popular subject, especially this time of year. It's cold, batteries get low, you haven't started your New Holland or Ford tractor for a while, and now you need it to fix those pesky potholes. The most popular issue with diesel is running out so I am going to hit that first. First- you screwed up and ran out of diesel-don't sweat it we all have done it. You have filled it back up and now it won't start. If you have a new New Holland tractor with a Tier4 engine you need to get with your dealer because some of them are dangerously high fuel pressure. Actually any Massey Ferguson tractor, or Deere, Kubota, whatever- Tier4 may be another problem. (Tier4 is an emissions certification recently in effect) OK a few words about safety- diesel is under high pressure it will hurt you or worse. You can also get run over by a tractor so be extra careful. Safety glasses are always a good plan. So is reading your owners manual. If you are not sure- call us or somebody else you can trust. We can come out and fix this. For you to fix this problem you are going to need a strong battery so stand by with a jump box, jumper cables, or a good battery charger. What has happened is air is in the system and the fuel pump won't push it through the injectors and out and it won't start on air. You have to get that air out somehow. Now a lot of people will say start at the fuel tank and work your way downstream bleeding the air out as you go. I say go for it and bleed it at the injectors because you are going to end up there anyway. The injectors are usually at the top of the motor, one for each cylinder sorta like spark plugs on old motors. They will have solid steel tubes going to them with nuts attaching them to the injectors. Now that you have found them, loosen all the nuts maybe one turn. They will be tight because there is a lot of pressure. Now you have to crank the tractor like you are trying to start it - same as you normally do when trying to start. The fuel pump will pump the air out of the system as you crank and you are going to look for diesel fuel flowing out around each injector. It will not be a steady flow but come out in spurts as each cylinder has it's turn. When you have a good flow, tighten those injector lines and then try to start it as you normally do. If you got all the air out it should start. It may stumble a little but don't cut it off until it runs smooth. Now all you have to do is clean up the big mess you made, check for leaks, kick yourself for running out and go to work. OK happy snow plowing and remember- call us if you need us, we will take care of you. Thanks, Charles