ran fine now it isn't

[pepe2three]

kubota bx 2370 twice now it has stalled, the first time after about half an hour or so it started right up and ran fine the rest of the day the second time it stalled and won't stay running.
It was below zero Friday night into Saturday morning (-10) I went out to start the tractor about 9am on Saturday and it started up ran for about 5 minutes and then sputtered and stalled. Spent the rest of the morning trying to get it started (successful) but it wouldn't stay running. It would sputter and stall on every attempt. I tryed the hair dryer to thaw out the fuel filter I spent maybe 10 minutes doing that, fuel filter by the engine, fuel filter underneath, and along the fuel lines. It started up and ran 2-3 minutes before sputtering and stalling again. Subsequent attempts at starting the tractor resulted in more sputtering and stalling. On a few occasions when it did not sputter and stall right away the engine would rev back and forth, rev high once and then sputter and stall.

When using a hair dryer how long should it be used trying to thaw the fuel filter?

I have done some research online to see the possibilities of what the issue could be and with my limited experience and knowledge it seems it could be the fuel filter, a switch somewhere, the fuel gelling/waxing, the solenoid, putting or using the right kind of additive to keep the fuel from gelling/waxing, to adding kerosene.

How does adding kerosene help? Is that something that can be done and not violate the warranty?

It has stayed running a few minutes after starting then sputtered and stalled, so I'm uncertain if this is more of a starting issue or keeping it running after it has started issue.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Eric:eagleglobeanchor:

 

[90cummins]

You need to add an additive to the fuel such as power service with prevents fuel gelling.
They make 2 formulas the white bottle is for prevention and the red bottle(911) will dissolve gelled fuel.
It helps to replace the fuel filter in the fall to reduce chances of plugging.
A fuel filter replacement would be advisable at this time if it hasn't already been replaced.
You can remove the fuel filter empty it and refill it with power service to get you going.
90cummins

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN................................................

Adding kerosene to diesel won't violate the warranty. Most winter diesel sold at gas stations already has a percentage of kero mixed in. Kerosene lowers the gel point of diesel. The attached article will help explain winterized diesel.
Another option is to use an additive such as Power Service or one of the many similar products that boost the cetane rating, remove water, and prevent gelling. I have no affiliation with PS but have used it for many years with good success. I use the white bottle and usually add a little more than recommended. PS 911 (red bottle) is available too.
I'd suggest winterizing your fuel by putting some additive or kerosene in. If possible get the tractor in a garage with heat where the entire fuel system can warm up. Then run the tractor for 15 - 20 minutes to get the treated fuel throughout the system. Heating the filter with a hair dryer is only warming up the fuel at that point. The rest of the fuel system hasn't been warmed up and re-creates the stalling / sputtering once that cold fuel starts to gel again.

Team Run Smart - Articles

 

[s219]

Is there a chance that you have un-treated summer diesel in the tractor and/or your storage tank? If so, then the most likely cause is gelled fuel and you can skip over possible electrical/mechanical issues for now.

 

[2458n]

Your tractor is doing exactly what gelled fuel does. Even in the summer it will rev up alittle bit before dying. You need heat and a 10 min blow with a hair dryer is not going to do it. get a tarp and a torpedo heater and let it run for a half hour. do the fuel filter change and fill the filter with red 911 before putting it back on the tractor. This is normal behavior for a tractor that has not been running winterized diesel do not worry it will start up and be okay. Keep yourself warm while doing all this. you will need to bleed the filter and fuel injection before starting as there is air in the lines by now. Just part of a learning curve. Welcome.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Your issue is the entire fuel system, not just the filter. You need to warm every drop in the thing starting at the tank. Best option is a garage but a tarp and big heater will work as mentioned before. Once heated get the proper fuel in it and a good additive in it.

A filter change will be a must also more than likely.

Chris

 

[MHarryE]

I no longer have the picture on my iPad that I posted last year. One of my tractors I didn't intend to use during the winter but ended up trying to use it did exactly what you are describing. After a lot of work I found the gelling was only a problem at the first filter, actually a very fine mesh strainer at the tank outlet. I took this strainer out, caked with a thick layer of gel, and set it in a pan in my heated garage (heated to 55 degrees). I thought at that temperature it would warm up and ooze off. It didn't. After 5 days it was no longer an oozing mess but a dried, caked mess. I cleaned it with solvent, reinstalled and on a warm day, tried it again. Lesson learned - it takes a lot to warm a tank of cold soaked fuel. Another lesson learned - Power Service in the white bottle sucks as far as Northern Minnesota winters with -30 not infrequent, -40 once in awhile now but not like before, and our last -65 day over 40 years ago. Power Service 911, however, flew off the shelves last winter but this winter is in abundant supply. It was the additive of choice to keep things running. Adding it to my tank (after the white Power Service fiasco), filling the strainer bowl with 911, then running it cleared my problem. This year with 911 from the start no problem although we have had only a handful of days where the high was below zero. Last year we had a 3 week stretch where it never topped zero.