HI all,

I have a Bobcat 963G, runs great and does a lot of work in a short time.

Ive been clearing trees and popping stumps, bouncing around quite a bit.

The other day it appeared that I ran out of diesel with a quarter tank showing on the meter. I believe it holds 10 gallons or so. I filled the tank and fired it up. (easiest diesel Ive started after running out of fuel)

Problem is, is that it seems to run out of fuel at 3/4 tank so every couple of hours I need to top it off. (about 2.5 gallons)

Anyone have any idea what might be going on???

Thanks,
Phil

Phil:

I assume that when this happens, you can only add 7.5 gallons before overflowing the tank?

Phil Its not the gauge because you still have fuel in there so it has to be one of 2 things.1)your fuel pump is weak and wont pick up the fuel..not likely.2)your fuelline is cracked and sucking air instead of fuel.If thats the case slip a piece of hose over it clamp at both ends and go back to work.Dont forget to ck the fuel filter good luck

HI Theo,

I can only add about 2.5 gallons before it overflows, which makes this so confusing.

The tank is impossible to reach without tearing off the cab, or yanking the engine.

I might be able to pull the radiator, that might be easier.

They don't give you much room to work on these things.

Other thing which is puzzling, is the tank has to be full for the engine to prime, otherwise its squishing air in the prime ball.

Hope its something easy.

Thanks Tom,

I will look into that.

It's more telling than puzzling. Look at your fuel tank, does the return line go back in about 1/4 of the way down? If so, I'd be looking at any check valves in the fuel system. It sounds like it might be sucking air back through the return somehow or the priming pump is leaking.

Thanks MarlandS,

No leaks that can be found.

We were thinking along the same lines as a return line, with something wrong with the primary.

I have been bouncing around with this thing quite a bit, so something could have come loose.

This thing is a Moose of a Bobcat, and had a pretty pampered life in Florida on flat pavement loading orange peels on trucks for a year or so.

I believe we have it to some sort of air leak, or draw problem.

Tank and hoses are buried deep within. It takes 15-20 minutes just to get the battery out. They sure crammed a bunch of stuff in a small place.

I'll get it fixed.

Thanks.

Phil,
I hada similar problem with my John Deere Skid loader. I contacted a local Service senter and they recommended changing the fuel filter and/or gas cap. I replaced the filter and it has been fine since.