Cat 226 Fuel Problem

So I started my troubleshooting. I drained the fuel bowl of the water separator until it was empty and then pushed the primer pump. With each push of the prime pump, fuel entered the bowl and drained out the open drain of the water separator. I pumped perhaps two cups of fuel and assumed that the fuel line from tank to filter housing was clear.

I closed the filter drain valve and disconnect the outlet line from the fuel filter / water separator housing. I again pushed the prime pump and the sediment bowl filled up and at the same time foamy diesel fuel discharged from filter housing outlet. I pumped the primer for 15 minute and recovered perhaps twice the filter assembly volume (about 1 quart) with no change - still very foamy diesel fuel coming from the outlet.

I then disconnected the fuel pump discharge line and had my wife crank the engine to check the mechanical fuel pump operation. When cranking, there was a very small amount of fuel discharged but it consisted of only a few drops per stroke, with not much measurable volume.

As per “heymccall’s” suggestion earlier in this thread, I completely disassembled the fuel filter / water separator housing and checked for plugging as per his post … it was clean as a whistle. This was just a preventative check as the discharge test of the fuel pump had obviously failed.

I then remove the air filter housing / mounting bracket to make room and then pulled the fuel pump. My thoughts at that time was the fuel pump had failed.

As per “03spfld’s” suggestion earlier in this thread, I removed the cap on the fuel pump and found the filter basket in the pump to completely plugged with debris … bit of grass, dirt and grime that were completely plugging the filter basket (see photos below).

I cleaned up the filter basket and blew it out with air. I also replaced the O-ring on the cap, as the old one was in pretty bad shape. I mechanically cycled the fuel pump a few times before installing and it was spitting out fuel, so it appeared operational.

I reassembled the fuel pump and also installed a clear in-line filter in between the fuel tank and the fuel pump, as per “heymccall’s” suggestion earlier in this thread. This is a relatively small filter, but it was what I had sitting on the shelf. If I have to replace it, I will do so with a larger one. This clear in-line filter will be an easy place to check to see if additional debris is accumulating. I also plan to pull the drain plug on the fuel tank when the fuel level gets low again and see if I any debris comes off the bottom of the tank. And perhaps flush it with a few gallons of diesel to perhaps wash out more debris.

We crank tested the fuel pump after installation and instead of just putting out a few drops, it was splitting out fuel but a pretty low rate … my “guestimate” might be ½ teaspoon per cycle. At this point I was thinking that the fuel pump perhaps still needed replacing.

After assembling everything, I disconnected the fuel line to the fuel injection pump and fully primed the system. When priming, I received clear diesel fuel back with each stroke with no foaming. I thought that I might have had a leaking primer pump with the previously foamed diesel, but the foaming was likely due to the plugged fuel pump filter basket.

The skid steer fired right up after this repair. I checked for leaks (none) and went and plowed snow for a few hours. I have to say that I thought my CAT 242B was running fine before, but it is running smoother and has more power after this repair. I guess that the fuel pump is working fine at the operating engine speed vs. the low output that I saw at the cranking RPM.

Thanks to the Heavy Equipment Forum members for their previous posts … there was some great information contained in this thread which helped me trouble-shoot this problem. I hope that this long-winded post is helpful to others in their trouble shooting.

Regards, 3CW

When you finally remove the tank and clean it have your shovel ready. You'll need it.

Carquest filters are junk? Really? Are you aware that these filters along with Napa are made by Wix?

Kenskip1 said:

Carquest filters are junk? Really? Are you aware that these filters along with Napa are made by Wix?

Click to expand...

I wouldn't put Wix/NAPA filters anywhere near the top of the "filter food chain" as regards quality either........... YMMV

I made the same point earlier on another thread about Donaldson filters. Just because Donaldson manufacture for a number of OEMs (jncluding Cat) does not mean that their "will fit" element is the same internally as the OEM element manufactured to an OEM design by them. It's easy to prove that, just cut the two respective filters open and look inside. Same thought process applies to Carquest filters being manufactured by Wix.

When I lived in upstate NY I had a winter job of plowing snow using a 6 cylinder air cooled Trojan dozer for three years..This machine and many others including Cat, John Deere,Case, and along with diesel dump trucks were all serviced with Wix oil and fuel filters. We never had a fuel related issue because of a bad filter.

I imagine this was some considerable time ago by the sounds of it. Fuel systems and as a result fuel filtration requirements have moved on since then, I make no comment whether that is for better or for worse. I think what worked then is not necessarily what would be required to provide better than 2-micron levels of protection to one of today's fuel systems.

Nige,twas the winters of 2001,2002,2003 in Rome NY. Yes things may have changed however I still use Wix products in all my gasoline vehicles.

Nige said:

When you finally remove the tank and clean it have your shovel ready. You'll need it.

Click to expand...

The tank is built into the frame, so shoveling is not an option. I will keep an eye on the clear inline fuel filter for any debris ... and have an extra filter ready if needed. The inline filter is staying clean so far with only perhaps 5 hours on the skid steer since the filter was added. I suspect that the glob of debris that I pulled out of the fuel pump filter basket was accumulated over a long time period ... but who knows for sure. The joys of "catch up" maintenance when buying a used machine.

That inline filter ain't designed for diesel fuel. Expect it to create a restriction, even when it isn't dirty.
The one I use is a screen, not a cellulose insert.

Thanks for your help ... that's a good suggestion ... I will look for a transparent screen filter as it will certainly have more capacity for filtering debris.

On a previous thread HMC posted a photo and details of the inline that he installs on all his SSL machines.
see here - https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...ss-of-power-moving-forward.78699/#post-832995

Thanks Nige. I have been able to locate that Baldwin BF7863 filter locally ... if I ever get into town during this pandemic, I will pick some up for my 242B, for other equipment and put a few spares on the shelf.