Another BX fuel issue

BXinNH · Mar 21, 2013

I'll apologize right away for the length of this story. I was cleaning up snow with my BX24 the other day, when it all of a sudden had no power, barely running above idle. I limped it to the garage thinking "Boy I wish I had a spare fuel filter". Off to the dealer today for a pair of filters, plus a spare. Changed out both fuel filters, found lots of dirty gunk in the filter ahead of the lift pump. I cycled the key to prime the fuel system and it eventually started and all seemed good.... for about two minutes. As soon as I moved the tractor the same issue reappeared. Now I'm thinking maybe a bad lift pump, air leaking into the fuel line, bad injector pump, all kinds of expensive thoughts. Lift pump seemed to be ok so I started looking back toward the tank. Pulled off the fuel line feeding the lift pump and about a tablespoon of fuel came out the open end of the fuel line. Ah Ha! Now what? Hmmmm, well I guess, what's the worst that could happen? I grabbed the air hose, cranked the regulator WAY down, loosened the fuel tank cap and gave the fuel line a couple little blasts of compressed air. I have no idea what was blocking the fuel line (unfortunately it's in the tank now) but it solved the problem, I immediately had diesel fuel pouring out of the line. I jammed the line back on the lift pump and replaced the clamp. The tractor is running great again, I finished cleaning up the snow without any further issues. I don't know if this has or will happen to anyone else but in any event, there it is.

Matt.

PeterK · Mar 21, 2013

We need a debris filter on our tanks. I was thinking of a stainless laundry tub screen or something like that. It's a big hole and lots of thing can easily find their way down it.

Grandad4 · Mar 22, 2013

Good reminder lesson for all. Those little Kubota diesels are some of the most reliable engines on the planet, but like any diesel, what goes into them... air, oil, fuel, coolant... must be truly clean if they are to keep on running. I try to work on keeping stuff from ever getting into the tank in the first place, since sludge, grit, grass, whatever in the fuel tank needs to be kept to a minimum. That is a big filler hole; not only can stuff just fall in, grit likes to accumulate on the cap and around the threads. Carefully clean the opening before each filling, along with the cap before replacing it and keep the fuel container as clean as possible (inside and outside) also. I'll even wash the outside of the diesel jugs with degreaser occasionally, but grit likes to accumulate on the filler spouts also. Debris filter for the filler hole - easily lifted out for cleaning - is a great idea. It's a never ending battle...

rbarker · Mar 22, 2013

I would wonder if you had some ice in the tank or partially clogging the line. I might consider putting some diesel 911 in the tank if you don't already.

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xerman · Mar 22, 2013

I have been struggling with fuel issues all winter. It is to the point that I have given up for this winter and have just parked the RTV1100 until spring and warmer weather. I have gone through 3 fuel filters, used several different additives, emptied and cleaned the fuel tank, used fresh fuel with additive, still having issues. Each time I did this the machine works fine for a period of time but the issue comes back. I have had the dealer out 3 times now and the problem had always been water, ice in the fuel filter and fuel lines. I have gotten my fuel from 3 different sources. I have no problems once the weather warms up.
I have talked with my Kubota dealer both sales and service. I also talked with the Kubota Regional Rep who was in town for an open house at the dealers. I get the same response from all of them. It is bad contaminated fuel, debris, water in the fuel.
The hints I have gotten either from this forum and/or the dealer are: keep the fuel tank full at all times, use a good fuel additive year round, install a fuel filter/separator which I have done, run the fuel through a "Mr. Funnel" before putting it in the tank (that idea came from this forum) I plan to incorporate all these ideas come spring and hope to not have the problem next winter.

radioman · Mar 22, 2013

Well - I'm glad you able to fix it. The debris or something bothers me though since blowing air backwards solved it. So let me guess - you plan to check the tank and slosh it around after a full fill up to see if you can find what went in there ? Maybe with a mirror with near empty tank to look around crook and nanny? It would be helpful to know what it was and not ice buildup around exit hole - but I highly doubt it since water floats in diesel.

Now about building a strainer - good idea , but we should be curious to know what should be used that is resistant to diesel? will aluminum screen work? stainless steel? Or maybe have a plastic type of strainer?

bcp · Mar 22, 2013

Neighbor was having fuel issues with his diesel truck. He found out the station had switched to biodiesel without notification to the user at the pump. Straight diesel cured his problem.

Bruce

SeymourBota · Mar 22, 2013

PeterK said:
We need a debris filter on our tanks. I was thinking of a stainless laundry tub screen or something like that. It's a big hole and lots of thing can easily find their way down it.

Cap comes off, Mr. Funnel goes in........

leonz · Mar 22, 2013

xerman said:
I have been struggling with fuel issues all winter. It is to the point that I have given up for this winter and have just parked the RTV1100 until spring and warmer weather. I have gone through 3 fuel filters, used several different additives, emptied and cleaned the fuel tank, used fresh fuel with additive, still having issues. Each time I did this the machine works fine for a period of time but the issue comes back. I have had the dealer out 3 times now and the problem had always been water, ice in the fuel filter and fuel lines. I have gotten my fuel from 3 different sources. I have no problems once the weather warms up.
I have talked with my Kubota dealer both sales and service. I also talked with the Kubota Regional Rep who was in town for an open house at the dealers. I get the same response from all of them. It is bad contaminated fuel, debris, water in the fuel.
The hints I have gotten either from this forum and/or the dealer are: keep the fuel tank full at all times, use a good fuel additive year round, install a fuel filter/separator which I have done, run the fuel through a "Mr. Funnel" before putting it in the tank (that idea came from this forum) I plan to incorporate all these ideas come spring and hope to not have the problem next winter.

They were just blowing you off!!!!!
Did you purchase a RACOR filter with a water separator bowl?
Have you replaced the fuel line with woven reinforced fiesel fuel tubing?
I am glad your using a Mr. Funnel. The indirect fuel injection pumps create
enough of a pressure gradient that they do not need a pump in the tanks. Why they do not use steel tubing and a suction strainer on the end of the tubing I will not understand-I do actualll-its a case of CHEEEAAAAAAPPPPPPP!!!

dodge man · Mar 22, 2013

I've had problems 3 times with my BX doing the same thing in the winter. A fuel filter always cured my problem. I'm still not sure if its dirt or the fuel gelling. Two other things come to mind, another poster had his fuel sending unit rusting real bad in his fuel tank. It was clogging things up. Another poster had a large leaf clogging up his fuel tank. It would float off the intake so the problem was hit and miss.