BX2360 losing power after about 30 minutes mowing

[Barry Johns]

My Kubota 2360 has been doing this sense day one. I mow for about half hour to forty five minutes and then the rpms start to drop. I mow in low gear at 3000 rpms as directed. All greasing is done as required, all oil changes, filter changes. The weird thing is. I was mowing this morning and sure enough after about forty minutes it started to lose rpms. It runs smooth while losing them but once it starts it will lose so bad that it gets to low to runa nd starts chugging then dies. Now I waited till it cooled for about an hour and I took the motor housing off and was gonna let it start losing then stop and pull off fuel line to see if pump was pumping. Well I took the housing off and started mowing and was able to mow two hours and finish the yard without losing power. Now what sense does this make. I had this happen one time before and I thought it was because I took the housing off but then later that day it did it with the housin g off. I have taken tank off and cleaned, replaced all filters, and fuel lines. I use a filter when putting fuel in tank. What could be causing this. I have seen several people with this same issue and haven't seen it fixed yet. Any help is appreciated.

 

[CobyRupert]

Next time it starts to die, loosen the fuel cap and see if it comes back. (i.e. check that tank is venting)

 

[JK22]

Well I took the housing off and started mowing and was able to mow two hours and finish the yard without losing power. Now what sense does this make.

Gremlins don't like to be seen by humans. When you take the housing off, they stay in their hiding places. On a serious note, how are your temps? Have you cleaned air filter and inspected radiator?

 

[Barry Johns]

Next time it starts to die, loosen the fuel cap and see if it comes back. (i.e. check that tank is venting)

I thought about that the first thing and it still did it. But I went and purchased a new cap anyway. I was just looking at it and I noticed that the fuel line that is between the engine and first fuel filter looked like it was to long and made the line kinda crimp up. So I cut the line and put it back on. It looks better whether or not it helps is to be seen. I will put the deck back on tomorrow and try it and see. Thank you for your response. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome: Welcome to the forum!

:tractor: I'm going to move this thread over to our Kubota section.

 

[tshep]

Mine did the same thing, dealer said fuel filters.
Confounded me, but they were right.
Did them both, problem went away.
I cannot explain the 20-30 minutes, defies my logic!

 

[JK22]

Mine did the same thing, dealer said fuel filters.
Confounded me, but they were right.
Did them both, problem went away.
I cannot explain the 20-30 minutes, defies my logic!

I could see how particulates could settle and disperse in fuel then clog the filter after 20-30 minutes. Then sit for while, disperse again, and repeat cycle.

 

[tshep]

JIC...
My problems did continue after all.
Washed out tank, flushed "Tank 2" (got a plug of goo that dried out), 2 more filters, that little pump, and a Fuel Buddy - gone again for now!

 

[JWR]

I thought about that the first thing and it still did it. But I went and purchased a new cap anyway. I was just looking at it and I noticed that the fuel line that is between the engine and first fuel filter looked like it was to long and made the line kinda crimp up. So I cut the line and put it back on. It looks better whether or not it helps is to be seen. I will put the deck back on tomorrow and try it and see. Thank you for your response. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

Barry -- this problem has been widely reported and there are several threads about it. Among all the various threads there have been several different sources of problems with about the same symptoms. 1) As fuel is burned it leaves a vacuum in the tank and the lid must vent or eventually it prevents fuel flow. May have been your problem. 2) Some have had leaves or old fuel can lids plug up the exit from the tank. 3) The "always" approach by dealers is replacing filters and clearing fuel lines. 4) One in my family had to have the tank removed and steam cleaned plus all the filters changed, etc. 5) Overheating has been an oddly related issue too. In my opinion the water pumps are too small on these little diesels. The practical approach is to keep the radiator and filters in front of it blown clean frequently. A BX2200 machine in my own family ran fine until it got hot and then began losing power. Worst case it would completely quit. Thermostat replacement etc had no effect. Careful blowing out of debris and cooling airflow seemed to clear the problem. That is why I am convinced the water pump is too small.