B2620 stalls out

[DianneInVA]

2014 B2620 stalls out when warm; needs about 15 minutes to cool off before restarting. Dealer thinks it is a vapor lock, but has not been able to correct the issue. This is very frustrating - to be out working and quit every hour!!!!! Any input would be appreciated.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Huh? Do you mean the dealer actually tried to fix it or did he just give you his advice?

Have you openned the air filter cannister and checked for dirty filter or other junk in there? Or fuel filter?

 

[DianneInVA]

I have a really good Kubota dealer/technician. He came out to the homestead on Sat after hours. I had checked the air filter, and keep extra fuel filters on hand (they clog far too often). It acts like a vapor lock, and we trimmed the fuel hose leading out of the filter. I don't work the tractor on Sunday, and today it stalled again. When the engine gets hot, the fuel "locks up". It is just frustrating, because the morning is the best part of the work day.

 

[sandyc]

Try leaving the fuel filler cap loose as it may be plugged and not allowing air to get into the tank to replace the fuel being drawn out.....just a thought.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[BAP]

I have a really good Kubota dealer/technician. He came out to the homestead on Sat after hours. I had checked the air filter, and keep extra fuel filters on hand (they clog far too often). It acts like a vapor lock, and we trimmed the fuel hose leading out of the filter. I don't work the tractor on Sunday, and today it stalled again. When the engine gets hot, the fuel "locks up". It is just frustrating, because the morning is the best part of the work day.

Why are your fuel filters clogging often? With good clean fuel they should last a long time. Are you running good clean off road diesel? If it isn't clean, maybe you have something in you tank blocking the fuel line. Diesel doesn't vapor lock, gas does. If the vent on your tank is plugged then a vacuum will eventually be created in the tank stopping fuel from flowing out.

 

[DianneInVA]

Why are your fuel filters clogging often? With good clean fuel they should last a long time. Are you running good clean off road diesel? If it isn't clean, maybe you have something in you tank blocking the fuel line. Diesel doesn't vapor lock, gas does. If the vent on your tank is plugged then a vacuum will eventually be created in the tank stopping fuel from flowing out.[/QUOT

As to the fuel filters... how long is a "long time:. I am running off-road bio diesel. The fuel is making it through the filter, after that: i don't know why it stalls. As for the vapor lock and diesel, didn't know that. I will discuss it with my tech and the vent issue. And, I have loosened the gas cap.

 

[BAP]

Are your fuel filters BLACK when you change them? Could be your have algae growing in your fuel tank causing things to plug up. You might try buying an diesel algaecide like this. Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide | Power Service
It will help clean out your fuel system.

 

[DianneInVA]

The fuel filter is clear! It did get cloudy in the spring...and I use Cenex low-bio off road-diesel during the cold months, and off-road all year round. I add algaecide (biodiesel is a problem in the cold months, Northern MN. ) The tractor was in for full check-out/maintenance less than 10 hours ago. The tech is going to stop by the homestead again this week. Thanks for all your tips.

 

[Weaselfoot]

I found an odd cause of stalling in a discussion about the safety switch in the seat of the B2660. I wonder if your B2620 has this switch which will cause stalling due to the driver shifting weight from leaning out or even by climbing a hill where the operator's weight is shifted to the rear of the seat. It's an unbelievable discussion - a tractor stalling due to operator weight issues! See it at: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...bx2660-deluxe-reclining-seat.html#post1626287

 

[Weaselfoot]

More on the Operator Presence Control (OPC) system at:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/150911-mx5000-randomly-stalls.html

These relays are temperature sensitive. Just a suggestion, good luck, Steve

 

[Grandad4]

Another possibility that happened to me recently with a B2620. There is an HST neutral safety switch that requires very precise positioning of the foot pedal at a neutral point or the engine will stop. With the B2620 I was operating, it was possible for the pedal to be in a neutral position with no movement of the tractor but still just slightly off the safety switch "sweet spot". That doesn't match your "stalls when warm" scenario, but thought it worth mentioning in case your tractor acts similarly.

 

[JWR]

Why are your fuel filters clogging often? With good clean fuel they should last a long time. Are you running good clean off road diesel? If it isn't clean, maybe you have something in you tank blocking the fuel line. Diesel doesn't vapor lock, gas does. If the vent on your tank is plugged then a vacuum will eventually be created in the tank stopping fuel from flowing out.

BAP is exactly right, I never heard of "vapor lock" on a diesel. That was a common problem with gasoline engines many decades ago, not diesel. Frankly that causes me to question how wonderful your service tech really is. What makes you think it is heat related ? As SandyC said above, the fuel cap is a good place to look first because your symptoms, as described, fit rather well with a clogged fuel cap and it taking about 15 or 20 minutes of running to create enough of a vacuum in the tank to stop the engine. If all those things are thoroughly checked out and eliminated it's most likely some sort of fuel issue. The first step is completely flush out & clean out the fuel path including replacing the filters. Then get some standard clean diesel fuel in it and don't mess with bio anything until the problem is solved. I'd drain the tank and refill with good clean fuel.
A key question is how this engine "stalls out" exactly. Is it running with plenty of power and in apparent good health until it SUDDENLY quits ? [Sudden quitting with no gradual death fits the various interlock issues others have mentioned. Gradual death does NOT fit blaming those interlock mechanisms.] OR is it bogging down and coughing/sputtering slowly until it finally quits ? [This scenario would almost certainly be a fuel issue of some kind. I know of one BX machine that had that disease & the eventual cure was to steam clean the fuel tank,big job, having tried replacing filters and clearing lines many times.] In these forums I have also heard of one case where a stray fuel can cap was in the tank and blocking fuel flow. Good luck. Keep us nosy readers up on this and let us know the final outcome !

 

[BAP]

Have you found the problem with your tractor yet? If so, what was it?

 

[Raddad]

I had the same problem. After months of trying everything I took the fuel tank off the tractor and rinsed it out a few times with fuel. Out pops a small piece of wood. Their isn't a screen in the tank outlet and it doesn't take much to intermittently plug the outlet.