Tractor Problem (help!)

OregonTom · May 6, 2002

Guys: I need your help. My tractor (a BX 2200) 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?

Bird · May 6, 2002

Tom, I don't know what the problem is, but the first thing I'd check is the fuel and fuel filter. Does it have a little water in it?

OregonTom · May 6, 2002

Bird:

Thanks.

How do I check it? And how can I tell if there is water in it?

upgw · May 6, 2002

Is the coolant tank still full? Sounds like water in the combustion chambers either from the fuel or from the coolant (hopefully not). If it's coolant, (e.g. bad head gasket) you'll notice it quickly in the level if it's smoking white.

- Patrick W.

OregonTom · May 6, 2002

Patrick:

The coolant level has not decreased. In fact, I have the coolant a little too full (over the full line) as a result of a mistake and I know for sure that it has not gone down.

Would that make you think its water in the fuel?

kubmech · May 6, 2002

Sounds like you starving for fuel and may be getting some air in the system. Check the fuel filter bowl. Should be filled to the top. If there's an air gap at the stop you may have a restriction in the fuel line or at the pickup. Also if there is water in the system you'll be able to tell by looking at the fuel filter bowl. The water will seperate and sit at the bottom of the bowl. Another possibility is the electric fuel pump may be running intermittent or not at all. In a quiet place turn the key to the run position (dash lights will be on) don't start it, just listen. You should be able to hear the pump running.

Charliebrn · May 6, 2002

I think you'd have a good chance of solving it by draining the fuel out of the tank, gettign fresh diesel from a different supplier (hopefully from someone who sells a lot of it, so it is fresh) and refilling the tank. Sounds like water, and since you had just recently filled it, I'd guess it came from whoever you bought the diesel from.

If that doesn't get it, call your dealer...you still in warranty?

Good luck and keep us posted, will ya???

OregonTom · May 7, 2002

Guys:

Thanks for all your help on this. I write with an update.

On Monday afternoon I went to the dealer to discuss the problem with him. His thoughts were the same as most of yours - bad diesel. He sold me two new fuel filters, gave me a diagram as to where they were and told me to drain the tank, replace the filters and refill with good new diesel.

On Monday evening I purchased new diesel. When I got home I compared it to the diesel I put in the tractor. The two were no where near the same. The "bad" diesel was really dark and had a little bit of a gas smell, but not a lot. The "good" diesel was straw colored and smelled nothing like gas.

I then got under the tractor and looked at the fuel filters. They were dark and had air or water (I assume water) on the bottoms.

I then tried to figure out how to get the clips that hold the fuel tubes on to the fuel filters off (and to figure out how, once I got them off, I was going to get them back on). Never did work that out.

So, I finally decided to punt. I emptied my utility trailer of planting mix, drove the BX into it and secured it. I plan to drive it to the dealer this afternoon (with the "bad" and "good" cans of fuel) and let him deal with it. I have some other minor repairs which are needed anyway (the HST pedal is sticking a little and one of the rubber booties on front tie rods is ripped) and I am close enough to 50 hours to have that service done too.

TresCrows · May 7, 2002

That is always a good preflight item---look at your fuel. Diesel should be straw colored very slightly and clear. Opaque, dark, or off color or the smell of gasoline and water droplets and debris are not acceptable. Yeah, I figured the friendly local Kubota mechanic could fix you up. Soon you will be flying high again. J