BX2350 - Scared me for a bit....

Musclford · Feb 16, 2007

Went out early the other morning to pickup some plowing jobs.. Got an hour into it on flat ground and had been running about 27-2800 RPM's, it just died out to around 500 rpms.. I tried reving it backup and it just sat there.. Finally after a few seconds it was back to normal and I started plowing again..

Second job it did it again, So I headed for the house up a steep hill and it kept dropping down to around 12-1400 then 800 RPMS just real irratic and kept dying.. I only have 28 hrs on my BX and I was getting worried since I was still a 1/2 mile from home..

After about an hour, and having to restart it about 20 times, I creeped into the garage.. Pulled the fuel filter off that is next to the injector pump (BTW, I figured out how to take off the cowling and was real impressed.. VERY EASY and accessible, Did notice the hand screws were both backed out so make sure you check yours next time your out..)

So anyway I get the fuel filter off, had a clean coffee can available, and started shaking it and see what seemed to be fish eyes.. water......

I had a new filter since the dealer gave me everything for the 50 hr service, but I noticed that the filter wasn't even full, so I start crawling around and found another fuel filter underneath. It's another white inline filter just like up top, but, the dealer only gave me one filter. I went ahead and pulled it off and fuel obviously started pouring out on me from the tank. (Just an idea when you do this, take a pair of vice grips, line the jaws with some rubber, a thick rag or paper towel and pinch the line before the filter to keep the fuel from pouring all over you during the swap.) Since the dealer only gave me one filter????? I took the filter from up top, shook out as much fuel/water as I could and put it in underneath and she roared back to life like usual...

I've always bought my fuel from this station, never had a problem till now.. They get fuel at least every couple of days, so I know it isn't sitting long.. Really freaked me out.. I bought a new fuel can when I bought the tractor so I know it was clean as well. Furthermore, I went ahead and added Power Service 911 to the tank.. I ran it another 4 plus hours and everything seems normal..

What a time for this to happen.... But, I guess the whole reason for this very long winded post, was to make you aware of the second filter underneath.. It was very hard to get the lines off the old filters. Had to twist it multiple times and then ended up prying it off with a small screwdriver. My BX is practically new, so be prepared if you've had yours awhile...

I also found, what I think is an electric pump for the fuel.. The clicking you hear when you turn on the key... It's right next to the fuel filter that is underneath the tractor....

Sorry for the extensive detail, but you may want to get a couple spare filters.. I never would have thought this would of happen.. I would have been really ticked if I was in the middle of cleaning a 10" snow and not had a spare filter handy.

Phil

proudestmonkey · Feb 16, 2007

Thanks for sharing your story. If nothing else, its a reminder that some common sense and a little determination can solve what can seem like potentially huge problems. Way to go, for figuring out the issue and getting it done yourself.

JBX · Feb 16, 2007

Hi Musclford,
Been there and done that too. On my 2002 BX2200, (1406 hrs) in the early years, after refueling on some occasions, it would start stalling and suffering through that pale stinky smoke from the exhaust.What worked for me was getting a MrFilter to trap water and now I always run my fuel through that filter on its way into my tractor tank. I have not had any problem with the fuel since. I store my fuel in 5 gallon yellow poly containers and in time, they seem to collect water or "floaty stuff" in the bottom of the container.
Even if you always fill up at a station, sometimes...stuff happens.
Good luck!
JBX

Dusty · Feb 17, 2007

Get in the habit of using Power Service every time, and you will not have any water problems. It mixes with the water to make the water the same viscosity as the fuel, and then it will go through the system and exit as steam. I've been lazy and have never changed my fuel filters in 4 years. I figure that they must still be working since the tractor is still running. At this point, I don't know that I could easily find what I did with the spares, it has been so long since I purchased them. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention..... (Power Service)...

Musclford · Feb 19, 2007

Dusty said:
Get in the habit of using Power Service every time, and you will not have any water problems. It mixes with the water to make the water the same viscosity as the fuel, and then it will go through the system and exit as steam. I've been lazy and have never changed my fuel filters in 4 years. I figure that they must still be working since the tractor is still running. At this point, I don't know that I could easily find what I did with the spares, it has been so long since I purchased them. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention..... (Power Service)...

Now I'm wondering if I'm condensing more because I store it in a heated garage... in and out now and then could cause it to condense water.... Maybe the tractor will get stored outside from now on...

Anyone have trouble starting theirs in - temps??

Phil