Kubota BX2670 Won't Start in Cold Weather

[ruffdog]

If it were mine, I would use my oil sucker to get the fuel out of the tank, trying to suck from the lowest point. I would set that fuel off to the side for further inspection after water/debris settles out. Then, I'd change the filters. Inspect the old fuel. Does it look like water is pooling at the bottom? Is there crap in it? Like others have said, use a #1 &#2 blend...fill the tank...bleed system...start.

 

[landrand]

I doubt very seriously that your manual says to use #1 diesel (e.g. kerosene) by itself. May want to re-read that. #1 blended into #2 (up to 50%) is normal for very cold areas. I never heard anyone recommending to run all kerosene. Not a good idea.

I know of no reason to pump out your tank though you may have other reasons we don't know about.

Here's a link to the manual for the BX2670. I need to research the differences between the various desiel fuels, but this manual says to use #1 Diesel fuel when temps are below 14 deg F. Here in the UP of Michigan, that temperature is pretty much most of the winter.

Lubricants, Fuel And Coolant - Kubota BX187 Operator's Manual [Page 64]

 

[number two]

Holiday Stationstores are very good at proper blending for the season.
Right now,they're probably running 80% #2/20% #1 with additive.
About Dec 15,it'll be 60% #2/40% #1 plus additive.
In the more northern areas,it will be 50/50.
Hope there's one near you!

Good Luck!

 

[landrand]

Holiday Stationstores are very good at proper blending for the season.
Right now,they're probably running 80% #2/20% #1 with additive.
About Dec 15,it'll be 60% #2/40% #1 plus additive.
In the more northern areas,it will be 50/50.
Hope there's one near you!

Good Luck!

We have Holiday stores here, but I prefer to go to a local station that deals with home heating and other diesel products. They also have off-road diesel so it's a bit cheaper.

Yesterday the temps here were above freezing and I was able to start my Kubota BX2670. I'm pretty sure you guys nailed it about the filters freezing.

When the new parts get here, I'm going to change the filters and install an engine heater plug. I'm still researching diesel fuels and additives. A few weeks ago, I bought an oil sucker so it would be a good first use for this gadget.

Where I live, in the UP of Michigan, our winters are brutal. We get lots of snow and sometimes extended periods of cold. It's not unheard of for us to have 30+ days continuously below 0 deg F temps. This year, I need this little Kubota to be reliable as I have a a few critters here who are dependent on me for their life. I have to plow a 1/4 mile two track road, keep the cattle area clear, and blow snow to a small pond where I can auger a hole through ice and pump 300 gal of water to their trough. I have other heavy equipment, but this little Kubota comes in handy for certain things.

 

[landrand]

I doubt very seriously that your manual says to use #1 diesel (e.g. kerosene) by itself. May want to re-read that. #1 blended into #2 (up to 50%) is normal for very cold areas. I never heard anyone recommending to run all kerosene. Not a good idea.

I know of no reason to pump out your tank though you may have other reasons we don't know about.

Last night I also read the operator's manual for my Ford New Holland 655D backhoe. It also recommends that I use #1 diesel for cold weather. I'm going to call my local diesel dealer and ask them about their fuel and what it is.

 

[JWR]

Here's a link to the manual for the BX2670. I need to research the differences between the various desiel fuels, but this manual says to use #1 Diesel fuel when temps are below 14 deg F. Here in the UP of Michigan, that temperature is pretty much most of the winter.

Lubricants, Fuel And Coolant - Kubota BX187 Operator's Manual [Page 64]

That table in the manual is very short and sweet with no explanation. While mentioning #1 fuel for low temps they do not intend for you to run 100% #1 fuel. If they do, it is very poor advice counter to the entire industry. For one thing, there is no point in running more than a 50/50 mix of #1 and #2 which takes care of the problem. Also #2 provides better lubricating qualities, etc.

 

[ruffdog]

Articles about blending #1 & #2 with a caution about lubricity. $$$

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

Avoid Cold Weather Diesel Problems

 

[landrand]

That table in the manual is very short and sweet with no explanation. While mentioning #1 fuel for low temps they do not intend for you to run 100% #1 fuel. If they do, it is very poor advice counter to the entire industry. For one thing, there is no point in running more than a 50/50 mix of #1 and #2 which takes care of the problem. Also #2 provides better lubricating qualities, etc.

There must be some kind of diesel fuel labeling discrepancy throughout the different regions. I drove by my local gas stations/truck stops and they have two types of diesel fuel for on-road vehicles. The signs at several pumps says #1 diesel truck fuel. At other pumps, it says #2 diesel truck fuel. Are we talking about the same thing? Apparently, what you refer to #1 diesel fuel refers to kerosene. I'm pretty sure the #1 diesel truck fuel here at the truck stops doesn't refer to pure kerosene.

 

[JWR]

There must be some kind of diesel fuel labeling discrepancy throughout the different regions. I drove by my local gas stations/truck stops and they have two types of diesel fuel for on-road vehicles. The signs at several pumps says #1 diesel truck fuel. At other pumps, it says #2 diesel truck fuel. Are we talking about the same thing? Apparently, what you refer to #1 diesel fuel refers to kerosene. I'm pretty sure the #1 diesel truck fuel here at the truck stops doesn't refer to pure kerosene.

What makes you sure? There should not be confusion about diesel fuel, home heating oil, kerosene, etc. Regardless of labels on pumps or other confusion, #2 is plain old standard world-wide diesel fuel. There is no difference between home heating oil and #2 diesel fuel other than taxes and dye. Kerosene is #1 fuel which is also #1 diesel and "#1 diesel truck fuel" would be plain old kerosene with road tax applied -- unless of course it is mislabeled for some marketing or other nefarious reason.

There is no difference other than lower sulfur versions, winterization additives in some cases, taxation, dye, and that sort of stuff. Pure and simple #1 is #1 and #2 is #2. The End.

Landrand -- pausing for a moment, I do not mean to be unnecessarily blunt about any of this, but these are the basic facts in my total experience at age 76. I do not think there is any question (though lord knows there is plenty of unfortunate confusion!)

Suggest folks who do not take my word for it, seek out authoritative sources in industry (both machinery and petroleum.) It is easy to confirm but also easy to find confusion randomly for who knows what reasons.


Note: the two articles linked for us by ruffdog in post #17 are good and educational. They do not contradict anything i just said. They do in one of those articles say "#1 or kerosene" which fails to avoid confusion as they could have by clarifying that #1 IS kerosene.