BX2200 Engine Bogs Down

[JWR]

Has about 800 hrs on it. Bought used from dealer who said it had a lot of water in the fuel system. They replaced all the filters, drained the fuel, cleaned it out and seemed to run fine when bought. After maybe 5 or 6 hours usage it began to bog down and balk at mowing (60" deck.) Struggled to keep going mowing light grass. Additives to absorb water did no good. It seems to run OK for a few minutes when first used and then begins to bog down, refuses to run full rpm, etc. Not overheating at all. Taken to a second dealer. That 2nd dealer says "water in the fuel" and they go thru the same filter replacement and clean out as the first dealer. Ran fine at the dealer. Got it home and before much lawn mowing the same problem is back all over again. Bogs down WAY too easily. Won't run full rpm. The deck is not bogging it down and the deck turns freely. Some smoke but not a heck of a lot. White usually. When having the convulsions the thing shudders very strongly and has even totally quit a few times. Essentially you cannot mow a half acre lot with it without it bogging down, acting unable to continue running and then sometimes totally quits.

All right you guys, what the heck is wrong here ? Suggestions I have heard include: Solenoid/shutoff valve failing and obstructing fuel flow, foreign body in the tank obstructing fule flow, bad injector or injectors, and of course the dreaded injection pump...

 

[jeff9366]

Check out SIMILAR THREADS at bottom of this page.

 

[sandyc]

Two quick things come to mind here.....is the fuel cap not working. Try running it without the cap on. Do it carefully as you don't want to add anything to the tank. Secondly, could there be something in the tank that is being drawn over/into the fuel line where is enters the tank? If there is not much fuel you might be able to see the junk with a flashlight if it is there. Just thought of one other reason for not running well and that could be a head gasket problem. Look in the rad and see if there are bubbles when the engine gets sluggish. Is the a/f level low? White smoke is indicative of antifreeze burning in the combustion chamber.

 

[anthonyv]

Hope I can help, I have to agree with Sandyc, a possible fuel restriction, but more likely a compression check will tell the story fast on a bad head gasket. The last time I had an issue with one I only had a radiator pressure tester, but when the pressure kept climbing with the engine running it was time to shut it down. Found a small leak between cyl #1 to a water jacket & strangely did not have over heating signs which really confused the troubleshooting. HF has a diesel compression tester on sale for about $30, but YOYO with them. I also have a major problem with two dealers using the quick FAQ answers "water in the fuel" crap. No one did a compression test? The magic word "water" didn't register? I could go on forever about nightmare experiences with dealer services, but everyone on this forum has an equal amount to contribute.

 

[JWR]

Progress report: In spite of my skepticism, the dealer in the area where this BX2200 is now located buckled down with even more determination that the problem was in the fuel path somewhere prior to the injection pump and not involving the fuel shutoff solenoid (which some said might be erratic.) On the repeat visit to the dealer, they did some serious dismantling including removal of fenders and under seat support areas and removed the fuel tank. Hung the thing up and "steam cleaned" the tank inside as well as replacing both filters. Monster effort which I would not have had the confidence to think it was justified. Took guts I said. Dealer has been super cooperative and backed their work to the hilt (with this being second visit for same problem.) Happy to report that it runs well, gets to full rpm, does NOT bog down and has been tested in very heavy grass and lengthy running periods. Looks like a FINALLY good success story. All fingers and toes crossed of course for fear of a repeat.
No caps or obstructions or foreign objects found in the tank. The dealer I bought it from got it in a non-running condition and had cleaned the fuel system and replaced a filter (after which it ran OK.) All this trouble was AFTER that. My thinking is that the previous owner took rather poor care of the machine and that some who-knows-what was put into the tank that coated or persisted in the tank. Only the industrial strength cleanout could remove whatever it was. Kids, vandals, pranksters, who knows. Wild guesses include antifreeze, motor oil, household chemicals, sugar, etc. Nothing was obvious in the filters.

 

[AStanton]

I'm no big-time wrench, but I would suggest checking the air cleaner too. I had a chain saw that ran the same way; and with a new air cleaner, I was back in business.

 

[Egon]

Your fuel supply is clean?

 

[jeff9366]

The only local source for Off-Road red Diesel is the local Citgo. As I was in there for diesel I used to buy gas for my RTV500 utility vehicle there too.

I began to have power loss problems with my RTV 500 similar to yours. $600 for full tank cleaning plus a new gas fuel pump.

Now I buy all my fuel at Chevron rather than Citgo. The lower cost of Off-Road red Diesel, which attracted me to the Citgo, was too high.

I cannot be absolutely sure the Citgo gasoline was the problem, mind you, but that is the most likely suspect.

My tractor and RTV500 are in my garage with the door down every night. I am the sole operator of both.

 

[jeff9366]

Progress report: In spite of my skepticism, the dealer buckled down with even more determination that the problem was in the fuel path somewhere prior to the injection pump and not involving the fuel shutoff solenoid (which some said might be erratic.) On the repeat visit to the dealer, they did some serious dismantling including removal of fenders and under seat support areas and removed the fuel tank. Monster effort which I would not have had the confidence to think it was justified. Took guts I said. Dealer has been super cooperative and backed their work to the hilt (with this being second visit for same problem.) Happy to report that it runs well, gets to full rpm, does NOT bog down and has been tested in very heavy grass and lengthy running periods. Looks like a FINALLY good success story. All fingers and toes crossed of course for fear of a repeat.

Well, for Pete's sake, after this mighty effort on your behalf NAME THE DEALER AND GIVE THE DEALER'S LOCATION.

 

[JWR]

The selling dealer was Parcs in Salem WV. The guys who went the extra mile to do the repair work for my daughter and her family in Shreveport LA area where I took the tractor was Shreveport Tractor Inc.