Oil & Fuel Diesel trauma BX2200

botalvr · Jun 27, 2004

Hi all,

Sure glad I found this place. Can anyone shed some light on proper handling of diesel.
My beloved tractor has now been the victim of water in the fuel three times (white smoke, no power), twice corrected by the dealer and this last time by me. The second time it happened, I went and bought new (plastic) cans and starting storing them in my shed out of direct sunlight. Also I changed where I buy fuel.

So, I guess my questions are:

Can condensation alone cause the BX to choke and puke like this?
Are these models prone to being picky about the fuel?
Is there any filter I can install on my tractor that will filter water better than these stock filters?
Does foam in the fuel indicate water? Every time I buy fuel it is quite foamy.

Thanks!

Bob_Skurka · Jun 27, 2004

You can get a fuel water separator, I used them on my truck fleet, not on my tractors. I have 2 diesel tractors at the house right now and I only keep one 5 gallon plastic can of fuel. I buy my fuel often, I try to keep the container full to minimize condensation, and I've not had a problem. I would say that there is nothing about the BX that would make it prone to having water problems, Kubota engines are known as excellent engines, the water problems you are having are either coming from the fuel sources you are buying it from, or from condensation. But to be honest, I would suspect the fuel source first.

RobertN · Jun 27, 2004

Get a diesl fuel can. It is no different than a gas can, except that it is yellow. It is harder to mistake a yellow can with "Diesel" across the side of it with a can of gas, which can devestate a diesel engine.

Unless you have something bigger than a 5gal tank, just buy 5gal at a time(unless you are way out in the country or something). That way, you do not have multiple containers sitting with fuel in them for extended periods; that way you have fresher fuel.

Buy where truckers buy. If the fuel station sells a fair amount, chances are they will have fresher stuff.

TresCrows · Jun 27, 2004

Well, the obvious, if your fuel had water in it the water is probably still in the tank. The tank needs to be fully drained and cleaned of water. Use a screen type filter funnel as suggested when refueling from cans. Yes, water can condense out in humid climates. J

Bird · Jun 27, 2004

( Can condensation alone cause the BX to choke and puke like this? )

Not likely.

( Are these models prone to being picky about the fuel? )

No more so than any diesel.

( Is there any filter I can install on my tractor that will filter water better than these stock filters? )

Yes, there are water separators, but the necessary plumbing would be more trouble and expense than I would do, personally.

( Does foam in the fuel indicate water? )

No, diesel does foam when filling fast.

It does sound as if your fuel supplier has water in his storage tank, or water is getting into your container, or water is getting into the tractor's tank from a cap left off or something like that.

I would think about the cheapest, easiest solution would be to buy and use a Mr. Funnel.

JWE · Jun 27, 2004

Buy a Mr. Funnel funnel. It will remove any water in the fuel when you fuel the tractor. I attached a picture of the one that I have.

Junkman · Jun 27, 2004

My bet is that where you purchase the fuel is where the water is coming from. They might have a problem with their storage tank picking up ground water from either the fill or the tank itself has a leak. I would think that others would also be complaining about the water in the fuel if it is a major problem. For the future, only buy enough fuel to top off your tank, which should be no more than 3 - 4 gallons. Use a diesel "yellow" fuel container. Purchase a Mr. Funnel and always use it. Make sure that your present tank is totally empty of any water. To do this, remove the filter where it comes from the tank and totally empty tank. Then clamp the hose shut with a vice grip and run the fuel back into the tank using a Mr. Funnel. Then drain again. The purpose of this is to make sure that the tank is totally rinsed free of any water. Put on new filters and refill tank again using Mr. Funnel. Add a splash of Power Service Diesel Fuel conditioner and you should have no more problems. If the tractor is stored outside, you might have a neighbor or child problem, putting water into the tank for spite reasons? This is also a distinct problem. There is no locking fuel cap for the Kubota, so it would be best to keep it under cover and locked up. If you cover the tractor with a plastic tarp, that will cause the machine to get extremely hot and for moisture to condense inside of the tank. Do not cover a tractor in warm weather. Cold weather doesn't have the moisture content to create condensation problems, but it can cause other problems such as hard starting. As a added measure of safety, you can put some of the new fuel into a clear jar and let it sit for a few hours. If you see any water forming at the bottom of the jar, don't use that fuel and go back to where it was purchased and advise them of the problem. They don't want water in the fuel any more than you do....

botalvr · Jun 27, 2004

Great info, everyone thanks a bunch. I am no longer "diesel challenged". Off to Home Depot for a Mr. Funnel...

Cliff_Johns · Jun 27, 2004

( Great info, everyone thanks a bunch. I am no longer "diesel challenged". Off to Home Depot for a Mr. Funnel...)

Yeah, the web page says Home Depot carries Mr. Funnel, but the ones around here just looked at me like I was nuts, and said it wasn't even in their computer.

Cliff

Will_C · Jun 27, 2004

The Mr. Funnel is a great idea, but I will second finding and buying your diesel from a place that sells large amounts. I am lucky to have a truck stop close that also sells large amounts of off road diesel to contractors, loggers, and farmers.
Will