Tractor Problem (help!)

OregonTom · May 6, 2002

Guys: I need your help. My tractor has been running great. On Friday I greased my tractor, checked the transmission fluid, found it to be low, and added some, filled the fuel tank, attached my brush hog and began to mow. All was fine for a short time. Then the engine began to run a bit rough, the power dropped off some and some white smoke started coming out of the exhaust pipe. Because the problem wasn't too bad, I finished mowing and let the beast sit over night. When I fired it up on Saturday, I had the same problem.

Do any of you have any intelligent guesses as to what might be wrong or any suggested approaches to figuring it all out?

skent · May 6, 2002

First thing comes to mind is a load of bad fuel or a dirty fuel or air filter. Try replacing filters and replacing fuel.

HalseyGreen · May 6, 2002

I know your isn't a John Deere but from John Deere 790 operator manual I found the following -

White Smoke - Improper Type of Fuel, Low Engine Temp, Defective Thremostat, Engine out of Time - Engine

Lacks Power - Improper type of Fuel, Plugged air system, plugged fuel filter, low collant temp, dirty of faulty fuel injector

I'd try the draining the fuel, and checking the air and fuel filters.

OregonTom · May 6, 2002

Thanks, guys. I'll give it a try.

snowman · May 6, 2002

I accidently filled mine with gas one time; same problem as you describe. It would start, run very rough, then peter out.

Just drained all of the fuel, and refilled it with diesel. Started up perfect and has run fine since.

I didn't figure out that I had filled it with gas until a few weeks later. I usually keep two 5 gallons drums of diesel, and when I went to refill it, I couldn't figure out why I still had one full when I knew (thought) I had used it. That's when I realized what I had done.

TresCrows · May 6, 2002

Did you by chance refuel the tractor with gasoline. I think you need to dump that fuel and buy some fresh fuel. J

OregonTom · May 6, 2002

Guys:

The first thought that went through my head when I noticed the problem was that I had used gas rather then diesel. I knew I had filled the tank from the diesel can. I wondered, however, if what was in the can was actually diesel. So I checked my diesel can by pouring a bit of fuel into a cup and comparing it to a cup of gas I poured out of my lawn mower gas can. The diesel was clearly darker. So, I assume it was diesel. Nevertheless, I think I will have another can filled with diesel, drain the tank (could one of you tell me how to do that?), refill it with the new diesel and see what happens. I also intend to compare the new diesel to the diesel which is still in the can I filled up from prior to having this problem. If they are different I guess I will know I got bad diesel the first time.

looch · May 6, 2002

Color is one way to tell, but the smell should give it away. Diesel does not smell anything like gas. Also, consistency of diesel is more like syrup whereas gas is quite light - but there is no better way than smell - it should be obvious.

TresCrows · May 6, 2002

Isn't diesel fuel clear or straw colored--heck--I don't know, I maybe confusing diesel and Jet A. I think the fuel is bad.
You could siphon it out with a hose or go under the tractor and loose the fuel line from that bladder/header that used to leak on early BX units. You might also want to purge your injectors.
Next time the engine does not act right--STOP--do not pass go, do not do anything but shut the engine down and call your friendly Kubota mechanic which may be where you are going to be headed real soon. Hopefully there is no damge and fresh fuel will have you looking sporty on your BX, fingers crossed. Oh, find another place to buy fuel--label your diesel can so you do not accidently cross contaminate fuel etc. J

snowman · May 6, 2002

The only way I could drain the tank on my B7500 was to take off the fuel filiter (it just unscrews) and then use my finger to push up on the top of the filter to let the fuel run out.

Took about an hour or so.

I used an aluminum baking pan that I could bend and shape to catch the fuel, and then I dumped that into an old fuel container.

My containers are clearly marked as "gas" or "diesel". Unfortunately, I apparently wasn't paying attention when I grabbed the can to fill it up.