cold weather problems regarding fuels.

msjanket · Feb 16, 2015

My Bobcat has the 4 cylinder Kubota 2203 and the very cold weather is making starting dicey. I've put additives in the fuel tank but found milky fuel in the fuel filter compartment also.

The fuel after filtration goes into the injector pump compartment and I'm wondering if I should put some additive directly into that area, as well as using a 50/50 mixture of additive with diesel fuel into the fuel filter.

The Kubota is not a finicky engine but I'm having a devil of a time figuring out the best way to get it started. Seems like I have most bases covered, but.....

DEWFPO · Feb 17, 2015

How cold is the operating temp you are having trouble in, what additive have you put in and how much. Have you run the engine long enough to get the additized fuel through the entire system and into the injectors?

DEWFPO

smfcpacfp · Feb 20, 2015

I have a block heater for my Kubota and use it whenever it is below freezing. The colder it is the longer I leave it on anywhere from 1/2 hour to 1 1/2 hours It makes a world of difference. It starts quickly and runs smoothly immediately. As far as fuel goes, I use #1 diesel in the winter. It doesn't begin gelling until the temperature hits -40F or C. Because #1 has poor lubricating qualities, I use OptiPlex diesel additive. I have started my tractor at -19F and had no problem, ever.

I don't know if this is possible, but maybe you need to take your vehicle to someplace where it warm and will start easily and run out the stuff you have in it and replace it with #1 diesel, or kerosene.

Coyote machine · Feb 20, 2015

Milky indicates water in your fuel. You should change out your filters and make sure what is coming out of your tank is NOT milky. You should be using only cut fuel that is already set to handle extreme winter temps, otherwise you will continue to have hard starts. Approach it from tank to filters to pump to injectors forward, not from pump backward. Use block heater if possible too or put it inside and drain it till you have fresh cut fuel, and additives if you choose to. Once filters clog with paraffin in the fuel they are mostly useless.

cat fever · Feb 20, 2015

Most cold starting problems come from the fuel. I would offer this advice to all; Towards later fall time remove all fuel and wait until you can get full winter grade diesel. There is a blend we call "transition" just a step between summer and winter grades. If you fill up with it you will still have problems. Best bet is to buy enough winter grade to use all year. ( I know, that's a lot of gas cans) One other thing; buy your diesel at the most busy truck stop you can find. That way the current blend of diesel (from the refinery) is at the pump. I personally only buy fuel/gas from branded stations. Meaning Exxon, Shell, Valero, Tesoro, BP etc. No mom and pop stores. I have worked in the refining business for over 22 years, we have strict guidelines for all our products to pass the lab tests. I drive a Dodge with the 5.9 cummins. I have never added any additive nor have I had any starting problems. I'm an avid snowmobiler so my truck must start in cold high altitude places - - - it always does. In the super cold climates (-25) or colder, cutting #2 diesel with #1 would help. Like 70/30 or 80/20 split. The refinery I work at typically far exceeds the specs for winter diesel fuel and my guess is most other branded fuels are the same. It is easier to "give away" than to "doctor" a tank that fails the lab tests. Good luck.