Bobcat fuel issue

[jonlavonne]

So I'm pushing snow after the big storm the other night and my Bobcat 883 suddenly bogs down and dies. I'm thinking water in the fuel. Acts like it wants to start but won't. So I add 911 fuel conditioner and drain the fuel filter, now it doesn't want to start at all. No fuel comes out of the line when I disconnect it. I blow thru the line and there's resistance, so I blow harder and seems to break something loose but no fuel comes out. Worst thing is I'm in the middle of the guys drive. I have to leave it overnight. I call my Bobcat dealer this morning and they say I probably blew the fuel pickup line off the end when I blew thru the line. I rig a fuel tank up temporarily and it starts fine and I Drive it back to the shop about two blocks. When I get there fuel is running out the fuel line! So I hook it back up and the machine starts and runs fine. I leave it running and after about 20 minutes it begins to sputter and eventually dies the same as before. I guess I didn't blow the pickup tube off. Maybe the rough ride to the shop stirred up the sediment or blockage which allowed the fuel to run again??? Now what? My dealer is 90 miles away so I hate to haul it in if I don't have to. I am not a great mechanic. Appreciate anyh thoughts. This is a turbo diesel.

[Landrus2]

Yep, fuel screen and tubing in tank.

[jonlavonne]

If this was the case according to the dealer I would not get fuel running out the fuel line. That is if I did blow the drop tube off the fuel line. What is my fix if I did not blow it off and have debris clogging the pick up? Do I drain the tank and somehow rinse the debris out?? Is this a difficult fix?

[Landrus2]

To check if your fuel pick up failed in the tank I would just remove the hose after the primmer bulb and see if you can pump fuel. If you can't get fuel you know your problem. There is also a fuel shutoff solenoid that could have failed it is close to the alternator and mounts to the side of the motor with 2 bolts. You could check the fuel shutoff solenoid.

[YellowDogSVC]

the 883's fuel tank is notorious for the in-tank filter getting plugged. If you blow too hard on it with compressed air, you will blow off the valve. You probably need to replace the screen if you can't prime much fuel. If you are getting fuel intermittently, check that solenoid and or for a hole in the tank or line. I have had to replace the in tank filter in the field. It's not that hard if you know what you are doing. Luckily, I had a tech doing it and I watched. He did it by feel.

[jonlavonne]

They told me their techs had a simple way to do it but did not volunteer the info! I only blew thru it with my mouth. Do you do this by raising the cab to access the tank??