BX2360 Issues in Cold Weather

[dragoneggs]

I am discovering that my recently acquired battery tender seems to have alleviated my slow starts lately in the cold weather. My BX is still about 7 months old and 110 hours on it. During the summer it started almost immediately then when it got a little cool (freezing or a little below) it took a couple seconds or so of cranking before starting. I tried today to turn the key past on and hold just before start for a couple seconds and then proceeded to start and it kicked over happier than ever. So I conclude that a topped off tended battery along with a little glow plug heat is best for me in the winter.

 

[CLeman]

Having this issue again - I ran my tank out of the fuel my shop had treated with 4x additive. I put in the recommended amount with another tank of fresh diesel (just got it from the station 1/2 hr before dumping it in the BX2360). It ran fine for 20 minutes clearing snow then started dying on me. It ran about half-way for another 10 minutes then died completely. It's sitting out in the yard.
Very frustrating when there's work to be done

 

[Chilly807]

Having this issue again - I ran my tank out of the fuel my shop had treated with 4x additive. I put in the recommended amount with another tank of fresh diesel (just got it from the station 1/2 hr before dumping it in the BX2360). It ran fine for 20 minutes clearing snow then started dying on me. It ran about half-way for another 10 minutes then died completely. It's sitting out in the yard.
Very frustrating when there's work to be done

Did you use the same additive the shop used? If so, maybe it's the higher concentration that's avoiding the problem. Seems odd though, you'd think the normal dose would do the trick. I know you said you "can't overtreat", but I wonder if that's actually the case. I'm probably just paranoid, but I don't like going outside the maker's instructions any more than I have to.

Sean

 

[RFB]

When it comes to Power Service white bottle, I am a wild and crazy guy. I invariably use 2 to 3 times the recommended amount with zero problems.

I have had very poor performance from Howe's Diesel Treat....same overkill amounts and still got gelling. I did that one time, one year, figuring I would try something different than PS. Never again.

PS and plenty of it.

 

[avc8130]

Power Service White Bottle says 1 oz / 3 gallons. Then there is a note that if <0F, double dose.

ac

 

[dragoneggs]

Sounds like I should make this Power Service stuff a regular staple for winter time. Doesn't get too cold around here. Rarely, rarely gets below 20degF but I would rather be protected if/when. Is there any downside to using it?

 

[RFB]

I do not know if there is a downside in using ounces because I usually use in quarts and gallons

No, it will not hurt a thing, it adds lubricity, lowers pour point. All good.

 

[CLeman]

All very interesting, you guys are great!
I used the same additive (bought it from the service shop). If it wasn't so tootin' cold I'd go see what the brand name is I know it's not Howe's...

I should add some details that I was too worked up to add yesterday - here's what happened in more detail:
At 7:00 I went out to clear snow, and the fuel gauge was running low so I dumped in what was left of two different plastic portable diesel tanks (maybe 1 gallon total) and slopped some additive in the tractor tank. Tractor started up and ran for about 5 minutes before losing power - it was really bad and wouldn't even run at all. We pushed it back into my shed and left it sit all day. At 4:00 in the afternoon I tried again and it wouldn't even start. I threw a heater under the rear filter for an hour while I went to get fresh diesel. Added the treatment to the portable tanks this time while filling up so it would get mixed in well.

Got back and after filling the tractor I had to crank it off and on for a couple minutes before she started up - so I figured maybe the issue was just low fuel. I must say the battery did a fine job through all of this Once it started, like I say it ran fine for 15-20 minutes before dropping rpms and hp. I could wait it out and get power back for about the next 10 minutes off and on before it conked out completely. Let it sit in the yard during supper and then it ran enough to get 3/4 of the way back to the shed.

I'm thinking use copious amounts of additive (gets expensive) during extreme cold. We are having record cold temps here in Central IL. 14 below F.

All of this leads me to believe this is a systemic design problem with the BX's. In the manufacturing world we say one or two issues is material defect, three or four issues is an assembly or welding problem, more than that you visit the design department. Has anyone tried installing a larger filter with any success? I'm thinking maybe a spin-on type filter?

 

[dodge man]

Somebody on here raves about Racor fuel filters. If you do a search you may be able to find a thread on it where he installed it. I've had the same problem you have had but not as bad. I know you replaced the filter once but have you done it again? I'd change the rear one again and don't forget the BX has two filters. Its almost always the rear one on mine but if you are still having problems, do the front one also.

My opinion is the filters are too small for a diesel engine. They are also located underneath where they may get some slop splashed up on them and then freeze. And yes, I'm from Illinois also and its insanely cold. So far my Bx has done will in the cold but I kept it in a heated garage the last couple of nights.

Also in my area, all I can get is bio-diesel, I know its more of a problem when its really cold. On my pumps it just says its something like B5 to B20 and you don't really know what you get.

 

[CLeman]

Hey thanks for the input Dave.
Replacing the rear filter is the next item on my list, since I still have lots of snow to get rid of and I barely got the van out this morning. I've also contacted the service dept. to see if Kubota has any service bulletins about this.
I agree I think filter size and location here are two main culprits. And I've also heard folks complain about the poor quality of biodiesel, my pump doesn't even say anything but "Diesel" so who knows what it is...
Wish I had a heated garage on days like today!!