Cat 226B Skid - Starving for Fuel

[Clubm]

I have a 1017hr 2014 CAT 226B3 serial MWD06162. It starts and idles ok, but after a few minutes of running it struggles and dies when trying to give it mid to high throttle. I have replaced the gas cap, mechanical fuel pump, fuel water separator housing and filter, inline tank filter and cleaned the elbow fittings at the water separator. And it is still doing the same thing.

It sure seems like it is starving for fuel like something is clogging the fuel line from inside the tank.

Any ideas? Getting desperate as I need this to clear snow for a long lane for 4 other neighbors.

 

[Nige]

Have you tried draining water/sediment from the tank yet.?

Another thing to try would be to blow back down the supply line from the engine side towards the tank with compressed air.

 

[Clubm]

No, but I guess that's next since I replaced everything else. I'll get at it this evening. Looks like there is a flange cover on the fuel uptake that is also where the fuel level sender is. I'll clean that up and take it off and look for junk in the fuel tank. The way the hand primer pump won't spring back up and the way it is behaving, it just feels like something is blocking the fuel line in the tank. Wish things were not so hard to get to on this thing... was a pain getting the backside fuel pump bolt removed (and reinstalled). I'm guessing the fuel tank flange will be a pain too... I'll remove the air filter housing to clear some room... any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[Nige]

Here's the procedure for draining the water & sediment from the tank.

 

[ThreeCW]

Clubm,
You mentioned: "The way the hand primer pump won't spring back up and the way it is behaving, it just feels like something is blocking the fuel line in the tank."

My experience with the hand primer pump on my 2006 CAT 242B was an upstream restriction resulted in the hand primer pumping a reduced volume of very foamy diesel. In my case, the restriction was in the filter basket of the mechanical pump. Once I removed the restriction, the hand primer freely pumped an increased volume of clear diesel.

To check this on your skid steer, disconnect the discharge line on your fuel filter bowl and try hand priming (no downstream restriction with the discharge line removed). If it primes easily with a good volume of clear diesel, I believe that the fuel path between your tank and the primer discharge is open.

If the priming volume is restricted, then you will have to check the upstream components for a restriction. If your 226B3 is anything like my 242B, access to the fuel tank is severely restricted. Best to double check all other components first, before attempting to access the fuel tank.

Here are a few threads on CAT fuel problems that may assist with your troubleshooting:

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-226-fuel-problem.78929/

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-246-wont-start.84977/

 

[FlyingCat]

Maybe check for any melted or smooshed fuel hoses. I had that issue on a brake line once. The hose was melted from rubbing against the tire and fluid wouldn’t flow freely. Forced the caliper to stick and the rotor to get really hot. Probably not likely but worth a look.

I’m having an issue starting mine. It was bought as a rebuild and am not getting fuel from the mechanical fuel pump. I know it says install that pump on the lower lobe of the cam. I’m going to verify that with a steel ruler tomorrow. And yes, that back bolt in the pump behind the body of the pump is a huge pain. I learned take that one out first so you’re not fighting against the spring pressure of the pump. Take the bolt you can see out last and in first.

Also maybe send injectors out for testing. Could be an irregular spray pattern.

 

[FlyingCat]

Also another idea is to check your oil. If it smells like fuel your injection pump is probably leaking and would definitely affect your power.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Screen in the lift pump there's a single screw that holds the top on it. Ours is notorious for plugging the engine needs removed to give it a proper cleaning. Will make it very hard starting and run quite terribly