BX23 loosing power after 10-15 mins of use

[wfd2]

OK, back to basics. I retraced my steps and found an important note.

When my wife "almost" ran it out of fuel, I asked her which can she used. I think she put about 1/2 gallon of gas into the BX. Unknowingly, I filled her up with diesel.

Would the tractor do this (run fine for 10 or so minutes, then sputter) if 1/2 gallon of gas was mixed with 6 or so gallons of diesel? I smelled the filler hole and it does indeed smell like gas.

My theory is diesel is heavier than gas and in 10 or so mins the gas gets mixed throughout the tank. Then it stars to get sucked into pump and burned.

 

[bellweather]

See what happens if you completely drain the tank and refill with diesel...

 

[oldnslo]

OK, back to basics. I retraced my steps and found an important note.

When my wife "almost" ran it out of fuel, I asked her which can she used. I think she put about 1/2 gallon of gas into the BX. Unknowingly, I filled her up with diesel.

Would the tractor do this (run fine for 10 or so minutes, then sputter) if 1/2 gallon of gas was mixed with 6 or so gallons of diesel? I smelled the filler hole and it does indeed smell like gas.

My theory is diesel is heavier than gas and in 10 or so mins the gas gets mixed throughout the tank. Then it stars to get sucked into pump and burned.

No, a 1/2 gallon in a 6 gallon tank you won't even notice any difference in performance. My dad a VW Dasher diesel and owners manual stated to use up to 25% gas mix for winter time use.

 

[swatter]

Well I am not a expert on Diesel engines but I would say yeh drain the tank. The engine was not designed to run on gas and ethanol. What is 20 bucks of fuel compared to a new engine.

 

[rbarker]

Well I am not a expert on Diesel engines but I would say yeh drain the tank. The engine was not designed to run on gas and ethanol. What is 20 bucks of fuel compared to a new engine.

Well I hesitate to disagree with oldnslo because I am no expert and he could be completely correct. However, I just keep coming back to a fuel issue due to the symptoms and it was fine and now it's not. The only thing different is the wife factor so if it were me I'd absolutely drain all the fuel and start fresh. At this point we are just guessing so we might as well eliminate one more possibility.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[dodge man]

How much exactly did she add? Was it more like 2 or 3 gallons? I don't think a half gallon would cause the problem, but if it was more it might. I agree, dump the fuel and put in new.

 

[radioman]

From google: Ethanol emulsion can be mixed with diesel fuel provided there is little water in the ethanol. A diesel engine normally will not operate on ethanol nor will ethanol provide lubrication for the fuel injection system. Another problem with adding ethanol to diesel fuel is that the cetane number (ignition characteristic) may decrease below the level recommended by the engine manufacturer.

I'd be draining it completely and replace filters again. The ethanol likes to suck moisture in a can and can cause issues so mixing it in your tractor can make a mess for you. No offense, but I dont even trust my wife to tell me the truth. Its easier on your marriage if you just drain your tank and put fresh diesel in it. I don't want to have a what if or blame game in my head for time to come, so drain it to be on the safe side. Diesel is cheap. engines and divorces are not.

 

[wfd2]

I just wanted to follow-up with everyone who was kind enough to share their experience and time with me. I did in fact drain the tank and replaced the filters (again) and found that with fresh diesel the tractor runs great. I'm blaming the gas in the diesel fuel. All is well now but I still would not have thought that it would run fine for 10-15 minutes then degrade like it did. Thanks all!

 

[rbarker]

I just wanted to follow-up with everyone who was kind enough to share their experience and time with me. I did in fact drain the tank and replaced the filters (again) and found that with fresh diesel the tractor runs great. I'm blaming the gas in the diesel fuel. All is well now but I still would not have thought that it would run fine for 10-15 minutes then degrade like it did. Thanks all!

Thanks for the update and glad you got it sorted out.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet