Kubota BX2670 Won't Start in Cold Weather

[landrand]

I have a 2013 Kubota BX2670 tractor that I use for snow blowing in the winter here in Northern Michigan. Last year for the first part of the winter, the tractor started well and I was able to blow snow. Once day when I went to blow snow at around 15 degrees, I started the tractor and after a couple of minutes it stalled on me. For some reason, it wouldn't start for me anymore during the cold weather. Since I have other equipment, I didn't use the Kubota during the rest of the winter. When the weather warmed up in the early spring, I was able to start the tractor. During the summer months, I didn't have any issues with the tractor starting.

The other day, with the weather around 15 degrees F, I started the tractor and it ran for about 30 seconds and then it stalled. Just like last year, I am not able to get the tractor to start during cold weather. Yesterday, when the weather was in the upper 20's, I still couldn't get the tractor to start.

Any ideas on what could be wrong and what I should start to look into to fix this issue? Appreciate any help!

 

[wheelbuilder]

Are you treating your diesel with an anti gel ? Any colors to the exhaust while trying to start it ? Are the glow plugs operational ?
I'd be looking at the fuel, it's easiest to fix and most likely from what you've said.
I hope you get it going, I have more fun moving snow with my tractor than my other tools for it.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a 2013 Kubota BX2670 tractor that I use for snow blowing in the winter here in Northern Michigan. Last year for the first part of the winter, the tractor started well and I was able to blow snow. Once day when I went to blow snow at around 15 degrees, I started the tractor and after a couple of minutes it stalled on me. For some reason, it wouldn't start for me anymore during the cold weather. Since I have other equipment, I didn't use the Kubota during the rest of the winter. When the weather warmed up in the early spring, I was able to start the tractor. During the summer months, I didn't have any issues with the tractor starting.

The other day, with the weather around 15 degrees F, I started the tractor and it ran for about 30 seconds and then it stalled. Just like last year, I am not able to get the tractor to start during cold weather. Yesterday, when the weather was in the upper 20's, I still couldn't get the tractor to start.

Any ideas on what could be wrong and what I should start to look into to fix this issue? Appreciate any help!

Since the tractor starts initially it is not the glow plugs. Cutoff after running is a fuel issue. - - I think you have some water, probably in a filter, that is freezing and blocking flow. Put a hair drier on the filter for a while and retry. If it works change the filter . . . And start using the antigel in winter.

 

[landrand]

I have a couple of gallons of #2 diesel still in the tank from the summer. I'll try the fuel additive and hair dryer on the filters today and see if that works. Thanks for the help!

 

[RalphVa]

More than likely, it's either fuel gelling in the fuel filter, either main or one in the water separator. I'd try the hair dryer blowing on the fuel filter first. It that doesn't allow it to start, try blowing onto the filter in the water separator (e.g. fuel bowl).

Could be actual wax separation blocking the outlet from the fuel tank. I had this happen one winter. Strangely enough, it was the only time I'd ever tried off road diesel. In this case, directing the hair dryer at the outlet on the tank might do the job, but I think the hair dryer likely won't work on this. You'll need to syphon out the fuel and then use a grabber tool to remove the wax from the outlet of the tank. If you don't have a "grabber", e.g. one of those extendable tools with a button on the end that you push to open up some little fingers on the end of it), try pouring some warm kerosene into the bottom of the tank. Warm a little bit (maybe about a quart) in a container sitting in boiling or near boiling hot water. Kerosene will dissolve the wax.

I've extensive experience in melting or dissolving wax, as I worked in the industry with propane dewaxing where we used kerosene to wash wax from filter cloths and equipment. I also experienced some fuel filter wax gelling in a 1973 220D Benz one day at -22 F in Vermont. In that case, the fuel filter's being next to the engine block eventually (after 2 stalls and restarts) melted the wax from the fuel filter.

Ralph

 

[oosik]

Thirty eight years out here and only once - the first winter - had problems with fuel jelling. Since then - anti-jell in the fuel - year round. Another point - I top off the fuel tank EVERY TIME I use the tractor. Leaves no room in the fuel tank for condensation. Thirty eight years - not a single problem with water in the fuel.

 

[JWR]

I have a 2013 Kubota BX2670 tractor that I use for snow blowing in the winter here in Northern Michigan. Last year for the first part of the winter, the tractor started well and I was able to blow snow. Once day when I went to blow snow at around 15 degrees, I started the tractor and after a couple of minutes it stalled on me. For some reason, it wouldn't start for me anymore during the cold weather. Since I have other equipment, I didn't use the Kubota during the rest of the winter. When the weather warmed up in the early spring, I was able to start the tractor. During the summer months, I didn't have any issues with the tractor starting.

The other day, with the weather around 15 degrees F, I started the tractor and it ran for about 30 seconds and then it stalled. Just like last year, I am not able to get the tractor to start during cold weather. Yesterday, when the weather was in the upper 20's, I still couldn't get the tractor to start.

Any ideas on what could be wrong and what I should start to look into to fix this issue? Appreciate any help!

You have about as classic a case of fuel gelling as I've heard of. 15 degrees is a hair high for the problem which usually occurs down closer to 10 or 12 degrees. Chances are it had been sitting in slightly colder temps over night OR you ran into colder air while operating, etc. The wax or gel probably formed on you at a large crosssectional area spot like a filter. Regardless I believe you have a simple case of gelling of your fuel. There are many solutions, all effective to one degree or another.
--Some people depend on seller 'conditioning' of the fuel which I do not buy into at all because you really have no idea what has been done to the fuel, when they do it,how consistent they are, and those selling it rarely know. It obviously let you down 2 years in a row.
-- Some prefer (e.g. swear by...) the various forms of diesel additives most of which claim to prevent gelling. Read the jug.
-- In areas where you are likely to encounter temps below 10 to 15 degrees regularly or often the heavy equip operators ALL run #1 fuel mixed in with #2 (e.g. kerosene in the diesel fuel) up to a "standard" 50/50 mix. That mix will never gel on you, is safe, is used commercially all over the northern tier states, and in my mind is far more reliable than additives and other concoctions. Naysayers will wring hands over less lubrication quality (negligible in realistic small tractor cases), loss of power (also totally negligible in our cases) , etc. Ignore that if you choose to go with kerosene.

So it really depends on your environment. If temps that low are fairly rare just treat the fuel with some additive during the coldest months (many on the market, ask the nearest farmer what he uses...) Whatever you decide to use has to be run long enough so it gets on up through the filters, lines, etc. and into the engine of course, not just into the tank. (!)


p.s.: Your narrative is quite typical. I've had exactly that sequence of symptoms in 2 different VW diesels. Our 'little' orange tractors do not have the complex mechanisms that expensive cars (e.g. a new Mercedes...) have to deal with the issue. Newer cars have heating of the fuel at the tank and further along in the chain. In older cars like my VWs you could start it right up with ease when plugged into the outlet with an engine heater at 20 below zero and then 1/4 mile down the road it chugs and stops from gel back toward the tank not affected by the warm engine. I've also roared off on a ski trip with temps around 20, climbed a mountain where the outside thermometer indicated around 8 or 10 degrees and the engine begins to sputter and eventually quit due to gel. One learns over time with diesels to treat the fuel, one way or the other, in colder places.

 

[dodge man]

I assume the BX tractors still have the crappy little filters like my BX2350 did. They plug easily and like already mentioned it’s most likely gelling. It happened to me 3 times. Kerosene added to your diesel works best.

 

[landrand]

I think you guys are correct. I ordered two new fuel filters. They should be changed anyway, so now is a good time.

I'm going to pump out my fuel tank and replace with new diesel. The manual says to use #1 diesel for cold weather and here in Northern Michigan, it gets cold.

Is there any advantage of using #1 diesel vs a blended #2? The #1 diesel is about a $1.50/gal more expensive up here.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JWR]

I doubt very seriously that your manual says to use #1 diesel (e.g. kerosene) by itself. May want to re-read that. #1 blended into #2 (up to 50%) is normal for very cold areas. I never heard anyone recommending to run all kerosene. Not a good idea.

I know of no reason to pump out your tank though you may have other reasons we don't know about.