Need Help With A Fuel Issue

[seabeelt]

I had the same issue with a Farmall tractor, but there was no fuel pump as it is gravity fed. Fuel filter would be nearly full when cold in the morning and then sometime after a few hours use (time varied), the fuel filter would appear empty and the engine would sputter/die. Turned out I had a small vapor leak in the fuel line and the fuel was leaking on the carb, but because the carb was warm, the fuel immediately evaporated.. Finally found the leak by squeezing on the fuel line to help fill the filter and noticed some dripping from the fuel inlet line at the carb. Retightened up the line and it has been fine since. Not saying this is your problem, but Check for vacuum by disconnecting the line just after it dies and the filter is empty. IF no vacuum, then check all the fuel line connections from the tank all the way to the fuel pump. Could be you are sucking air as well as fuel. Does the filter stay dry until it cools off and then refill when you crank, or does it refill by itself?

I have also had the solenoid problem. clicks when you test it but was plugged with some small dirt and didnt function properly. It is an interesting problem to say the least

[majicwrench]

Here I go again.....if, as you state, you can "keep the revs up you can keep driving" it IS getting enough fuel. It is impossible for fuel to be sucked back out of the float bowl, so while it may drain from the filter, what does this tell you?? Not much.
When it idles and finally "conks out" will it not imediatly restart?? If so, why not?? THis is the perfect chance to do some real testing and not just look at the fuel filter. Look down carb and pump throttle....is accel pump pushing fuel into carb?? If so, THERE IS FUEL IN THE FLOAT BOWL. If it is not starting, try adding a tad bit of fuel down the carb and see if it fires.

Keith

[digitech]

Great feedback -thanks for the ideas! I'll keep working on it. When the engine dies, I can get it restarted but it is difficult to keep it running very long - unless you can keep it at 2000 rpm or so. Then, after a little bit, it will begin to idle again but not smooth like before. I should have time Thurs. to work on it some more.