Problems with BX2350 rpm

mattpalmer83 · Jul 25, 2014

Hi, I'm a new member and will introduce myself in the right forum shortly. Had a problem with my Bx2350 and came across this forum and was hoping someone could help.

It's a 2006 with approx 890hrs. Been having trouble with the RPM dropping massively to the point of stalling, normally when the cutting deck is on. From reading other posts i am going to do the filters etc but had a bit more of a problem today.

I was travelling down hill onto a flat and luckily was more or less all the way down. 4wd was on and the centre pto spinning. The revs died right down and all of a sudden the tractor ran away from me. It was almost as if all drive has gone and it was free wheeling. Is this likely to point to a transmission issue?

Thanks in advance

Matt

jb62901 · Aug 1, 2014

Did the filters help (2) also check fuel cap.

torrin · Aug 1, 2014

I have not had a problem with the free wheeling, but I would think you should check you hydraulic fluid level. If the problem only occurs when one of the pto's is engaged (4 wheel drive also) it sounds like a low fluid level. you may also have a plugged hydro filter.

Does the problem occur when not using either PTO and just making sharp turns?

On my 1500, I have caught myself using high gear when I should be in low and the tractor bogs badly. These are things to check, perhaps one of them is the problem. It definitely sounds like a hydro problem.

radioman · Aug 1, 2014

first off - with no engine revs, there would be no hydraulic pressure therefore the tractor would be free wheeling in someway. Try parking the BX on a hill and turn it off with parking brake on and watch what happends while sitting in it. it will free wheel like you said. The BX transmission is hydraulically driven. That being said - replace both fuel filters, esp the one under the tractor. My BX had the same issue with revs moving up and down when under a load at over 1k hours and I never replaced the filter till this year and I always have used power service additive. I only replaced the one under the tractor, not the one by the engine and its back to like new restored power.

If I were you, replace the filter underneath it first and report back.

mattpalmer83 · Aug 1, 2014

Thanks for the replies. With the weather and work I haven't had chance to get out on it properly. I have given it a full service including both fuel filters. It seems to be sounding better in general. Think the fuel filter underneath was blocked it was a metal bodied filter so couldn't see inside but gave it a shake and a load of dirt came out. Haven't done the filler cap but will give that a try before using it properly. Will let you know how I get on

RaydaKub · Aug 1, 2014

mattpalmer83 said:
Think the fuel filter underneath was blocked it was a metal bodied filter so couldn't see inside but gave it a shake and a load of dirt came out.

There wasn't a wire on this filter was there? If so, that wasn't the filter, but your fuel pump. They are about the same size on my BX2230.

94BULLITT · Aug 1, 2014

I think it is a bad fuel filter.

mattpalmer83 · Aug 3, 2014

It was definitely the filter I changed.

Used it with the cutting deck today. Worked fine for the first 1.5hrs then the same problem with revs has started. I can't understand it

jb62901 · Aug 3, 2014

I would check the fuel filter under the floor board, you may have something in the fuel tank.

dodge man · Aug 3, 2014

I'd check the lift pump. It looks like a fuel filter but has a wire going to it. An easy check is to turn the key on but don't start it. You should hear it clicking. You can also pop the fuel line off at the front filter, and turn the key on and see if it's pumping. The lift pump can be bad but the main injection pump will still pull fuel to make it run but maybe not well enough.

It's also possible the the fuel tank has something in it plugging the outlet.

mattpalmer83 · Aug 3, 2014

Ok thanks. The pump seems fine. It seems to be an issue when the tractor is well warmed up. Just now I left it for 45 mins and it was fine again for about half hour before the same problem started.

How easy is it to get the fuel tank off or get to the outlet?

CHDinCT · Aug 3, 2014

Could be a plugged air vent on the fuel filler cap. It will take 30 minutes or so for the tank to build up a negative pressure from lack of air replacing the used fuel, so that could be the issue and is an easy check. Next time you start dropping RPMs, remove the fuel cap with it still running and see if the RPMs recover. There's a vent in the cap that sometimes gets plugged. I'd check that before emptying the fuel tank and cleaning it out, which some have been able to do with a shop vac without removing the tank.

mattpalmer83 · Aug 3, 2014

I've been trying this each time it's happened but to be honest it doesn't seem to have made that much difference

dodge man · Aug 3, 2014

Does your fuel gauge work? There has been some people that have had the sending unit rust plugging things up? Next time it stalls I'd pull the line at the front filter and see if you are getting good flow.

Just to be 100% clear you are replacing two fuel filters one towards the back and one at the front?

mattpalmer83 · Aug 9, 2014

Ok....well hopefully got to the bottom of the problem. The fuel gauge does work and I did change both filters. Pulled the fuel line off the tank end of the pump today and nothing was coming out (I know the pump pulls it through but not even a drip) got an airline to blow back up and diesel started flowing. Loads of dirt etc came out, flushed through with fresh diesel until all the dirt stopped. Hopefully can get it all cleaned out like this without having to remove the tank!!!!!

dodge man · Aug 10, 2014

I suspect mine might be having the a similar problem. I finally just installed a Racor filter on mine. It a much larger filter and has a water separator. Do a search on here for Racor filter install and you will get all sorts of results. I probably spent a total of 6 hours or more putting mine on but part of that is I had trouble finding a good place to mount it and moved it twice. I could probably do an install know in less than hour now. If you don't do something I suspect the problem will keep happening for you.

SeymourBota · Aug 11, 2014

Buy a Mr. Funnel and ALWAYS place it in the fuel fill opening as soon as the cap comes off. That way, no dirt, no water gets in.

I'm still using the same original fuel filters on my BX2660 after 5 years.

Will Schafer · May 11, 2017

dodge man said:
I suspect mine might be having the a similar problem. I finally just installed a Racor filter on mine. It a much larger filter and has a water separator. Do a search on here for Racor filter install and you will get all sorts of results. I probably spent a total of 6 hours or more putting mine on but part of that is I had trouble finding a good place to mount it and moved it twice. I could probably do an install know in less than hour now. If you don't do something I suspect the problem will keep happening for you.

Where did you finally install the Racor?

dodge man · May 12, 2017

I installed mine near the floor board on the left side.

JWR · May 13, 2017

mattpalmer83 said:
Ok....well hopefully got to the bottom of the problem. The fuel gauge does work and I did change both filters. Pulled the fuel line off the tank end of the pump today and nothing was coming out (I know the pump pulls it through but not even a drip) got an airline to blow back up and diesel started flowing. Loads of dirt etc came out, flushed through with fresh diesel until all the dirt stopped. Hopefully can get it all cleaned out like this without having to remove the tank!!!!!

You just proved the problem was on the end of the fuel chain closest the tank, before any filter. Progress !! Extremely likely there was something in the tank (an old small fuel can lid, debris, etc.) that worked its way to the fuel outlet in the tank during usage. (It is possible more debris is now in the fuel line or tank outlet after you backflushed it.) If it happens again, pull the line and check for "fresh debris" first. If that fails, I would then drain the tank by whatever means (use a syphon tube, a pump, or play with it enough to drain all the fuel via the fuel line.) Then, as someone suggested, use a wet-dry vac and clean the stuff from inside the tank. Hopefully you cleared the problem already doing the back flush but in the long run, if it continues, you may end up having to remove and clean the tank. That requires a LOT of sheet metal removal and takes time. If you ever have to do that, steam clean the inside of the tank. I know of one dealer who became frustrated and did that.