Losing power and stalling

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Yesterday my BX25 lost power while my son was carrying a load of gravel in the bucket. He dumped the load and limped it up near the house to check it out. It would barely move. We replaced the fuel filter, but that has not helped. He attempted to follow the bleeding procedure, but it died after about 5 seconds. Started it up, and it ran for the required 30 seconds, but roughly, then he shut it off. Started again and it died. It will rev up if the throttle is cranked up, but then will stumble and the RPMs go down, and sometimes it dies.


The old filter was installed in April 15 (the PO marked the date on the filter - good man!). I can see there is black crud in it, so may be it was a bit past due. We've been doing trenching work so there's been no shortage of dust. Air filter is okay. Could stand to be blown out a bit.

Fuel is off-road, run through a 10 micron filter and a moisture block filter before going in the tank. We don't run it dry.

I'm new to diesels and tractors. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[4570Man]

It's very likely a fuel related issue. Does it smoke when it starts to die?

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Not that I have noticed. Yeah, I'm thinking fuel, too, hence the filter replacement.

I'm hoping it's not the injection pump, but I don't know how to go about testing anything diesel. I do my own work on my cars, but they are gassers.

 

[LD1]

Original problem was likely water in the fuel.

Current problem is probably related to bleeding the system.

Follow the bleed procedure again.

 

[kthompson]

I had issue in one of mine much like this earlier this year. It was also off road fuel pumped through water blocker but it had enough water in the fuel did about the same thing. I still think you have water in there. My Kubota's have a clear water separator where you can see if there is water in the fuel (separated out) if your does empty it and it will not hurt to pull the new filter off and pour it out and reinstall. If you will fill those before you reinstall you may not have to bleed the system. On my Kubota's have never had to bleed a system when I fill the filters before installing new ones. Then I crank the tractor and give it a good rpm.

 

[LD1]

Water can still build up over time in the fuel tank of the tractor. Water settles to the low point and collects in the filter housing. Which is why alot of them (like my old fords) have a drain on the bottom of each filter unit. And on my kubota is a clear plastic housing that can easily be removed and rinsed out.

 

[Egon]

Drain some fuel out of the bottom of the tank to see what you get. If it's good just keep proving the fuel supply as you go along to the filter and then the injection pump. If good bleed the pump.

There are times when the tank screen gets plugged up or bacteria or other gunk accumulates in the tank.

 

[Rosher18]

I agree with the other suggestions, but wanted to throw in my two cents. The "gravity flow" check is a good idea to do as well. This check will help you determine if there's stuff plugging the tank screen, like Egon said above.

Pull the hose off of the filter housing, if you can, then see if the fuel flows freely or dribbles out.

 

[628pm]

I could be wrong, but don't they have 2 filters on them?

 

[TMGT]

The black gunk in the filter reminds me of some past problems with a bx, apparently some organic matter got into the tank (leaves etc.), broke down and clogged the outlet. Might want to look into the filler opening at the outlet, provided the fuel level is low enough.

Also the electric lift pump might be an area to investigate.

 

[nikerret]

I could be wrong, but don't they have 2 filters on them?

Yes, one in the engine bay, the other under the tractor.

OP, did you change them both?

 

[Fallon]

Definately sounds like a fuel issue.

Similar symptoms to my issue a while ago. Turns out my father-in-law didn't take the plastic I had covering the fuel nozzle off before filling the tank.

Fished out the plastic, but that didn't fix things. Hit the knob that is suppose to bleed things & screwed with that for 15 minutes. Then spent another 15 cracking the lines at the injectors to finally fix things. Ran like crap for 5-10 minutes, but it ran. Finally smoothed out once the last of the air got out I assume.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Yes, one in the engine bay, the other under the tractor.

OP, did you change them both?

I did not! I didn't know about the other one. Thanks very much, all! I will do all the checks suggested, bleed it again, and see how it goes.

I'll report back.

 

[sandyc]

You might want to see if the vent in the fuel cap is plugged. You mentioned lots of dust and that might have clogged the vent. Good luck

 

[mikesee]

When you replaced the fuel filter was there a steady and strong flow of fuel from the tank.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Success! :thumbsup:

The first fuel filter (before the lift pump) was also in pretty bad shape, and there was grunge in the tank. I only got a trickle when I took the filter off.

Got my fuel pump and vacuumed out the tank with it, then blew some air up into the tank, and replaced the filter. A quick bleed, and it fired right off and runs just fine now!

Thank you all very much! :drink:

 

[ultrarunner]

Same happened to me... always good when it is a simple fix!

 

[Tx Jim]

Congratulation on your repair

 

[Rosher18]

Glad you figured it out!

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Quick follow up: A full day of work today, and never a hiccup! :drink: