BX2660 Power loss

[LostInTheWoods]

Tips for identifying and fixing intermittent power loss on a BX2660? My best guess at this point is algae in the tank and/or lines. But I'm open to other ideas.

Power loss intermittent, mostly on inclines, and tends to start within 10-20 minutes of operation. Especially when spinning a brush cutter (but also can happen without drawing from PTO). Has been happening for a long time. Can temporarily improve after fuel filter change and/or blowing pressurized air through the fuel line (starting from just before fuel enters the fuel pump, and blowing back toward the tank).

Things I've tried:
1. Changing fuel filters (both).
2. Draining fuel tank.
3. Buying fuel from different locations.
4. Pouring the fuel through a paint strainer when fueling up.
5. Using a fuel additive that supposedly helps keep algae from developing.
6. Trying to keep the tank as full as possible to prevent condensation.

Still having to stop every 10-30 minutes to blow air through the line. Words fail to describe how annoying this is.

Suggestions? Or maybe something I'm overlooking?


Thanks!

 

[dodge man]

Could be the lift pump. If it痴 not that you might need to get the tank out and clean it out. I致e read where on person that had something in the tank that would float over the outlet. A better filter helps. I put a Racor on mine but people have been using filters off a B series also.

 

[moship]

Perhaps the electric fuel pump is defective or lacks proper electrical power to it. There are some inexpensive fuel pumps that can be used if you suspect the pump. I've used one on my Dad's BX2200 and saved $80 over the Kubota unit and they lasted as long as the original.

When it loses power, can you disconnect a fuel line and judge how freely the fuel is flowing? Does it flow better after blowing air through it? If so, you might have to remove the tank to thoroughly clean.

Good luck!

 

[robertm]

Perhaps the electric fuel pump is defective or lacks proper electrical power to it. There are some inexpensive fuel pumps that can be used if you suspect the pump. I've used one on my Dad's BX2200 and saved $80 over the Kubota unit and they lasted as long as the original.

When it loses power, can you disconnect a fuel line and judge how freely the fuel is flowing? Does it flow better after blowing air through it? If so, you might have to remove the tank to thoroughly clean.

Good luck!

SAVED $80???? How much is the BX fuel pump? I can't imagine that little 2" diameter X 2" long silver can is anywhere NEAR $80 purchased. In fact, I was quoted $24, and that's what they show for an aftermarket part. $49 max. I think you got took, unless BX2200 is different than the 50+ Series tractors.

 

[moship]

SAVED $80???? How much is the BX fuel pump? I can't imagine that little 2" diameter X 2" long silver can is anywhere NEAR $80 purchased. In fact, I was quoted $24, and that's what they show for an aftermarket part. $49 max. I think you got took, unless BX2200 is different than the 50+ Series tractors.

That little fuel pump from Kubota is very expensive compared to what can be found in the aftermarket. The fuel pump for the BX2660 is R1401-51352 and costs $124.64 using Messick's for price. The functionally equivalent product can be found more economically if one looks for a considerable savings. (Note: There are multiple pn's depending on serial number)

Perhaps you can identify the Kubota fuel pump part number that only costs $24.


For reference here's the BX2200 info:
80.1 ASSY PUMP,FUEL replaces #RC601-51350 RC601-51352 $127.06 5-7 business days 1 to equal #RC601-51350 (Note: Info copied from Messick's website)

 

[JWR]

Tips for identifying and fixing intermittent power loss on a BX2660?
Still having to stop every 10-30 minutes to blow air through the line. Words fail to describe how annoying this is. ...

Suggestions? Or maybe something I'm overlooking?


Thanks!

Considering all that has been said, I would remove the tank and do the equivalent of "steam cleaning it" whether that is really steam or not. Sounds to me like every time you get the filters happy you feed them a new load of crap from your tank. I know tank removal is not a small job so you may want to put a new generic electric pump in series and try that first (they are not expensive.)

 

[robertm]

Perhaps you can identify the Kubota fuel pump part number that only costs $24

I just searched "BX2200 fuel pump". I just tried again and while the $24 one isn't showing, there are a variety that are under the $80 savings. I'd be studying them hard before paying $130+ for a pump... especially as tinker toy as it is.

 

[Snappy BX]

My guess is something in your tank that covers the inlet port to the fuel line. You blow air back and it floats till it settles back.
Try running off a alternate fuel tank and see if the tractors runs normally.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Fuel pump sounds fine when I use it to prime fuel after disconnecting/reconnecting line. But I will keep that in mind as a possibility.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Considering all that has been said, I would remove the tank and do the equivalent of "steam cleaning it" whether that is really steam or not. Sounds to me like every time you get the filters happy you feed them a new load of crap from your tank. I know tank removal is not a small job so you may want to put a new generic electric pump in series and try that first (they are not expensive.)

I've heard taking out the tank is a major undertaking.

I wonder if using something like a plumber's snake and fishing around in the tank would work. Thoughts??

 

[TripleR]

I had the same issue and my brother who is the mechanic in our family found this clogged, cleaned it out and works fine. Yes taking the tan off, but hes use to that.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

I had the same issue and my brother who is the mechanic in our family found this clogged, cleaned it out and works fine. Yes taking the tan off, but hes use to that.

Thanks TripleR! What is that, and where did he find it? Is that where the line connects to the tank?

 

[TripleR]

Thanks TripleR! What is that, and where did he find it? Is that where the line connects to the tank?

Yes, blowing back through the line would "fix" it temporarily.

 

[LouNY]

I had the same issue and my brother who is the mechanic in our family found this clogged, cleaned it out and works fine. Yes taking the tan off, but hes use to that.

I had a similar problem with my Oliver 1550, she would be running great and just loose power and almost quit.
I ended up pulling the sediment bowl and fitting out of the tank and had a hard shelled beetle that was floating around and would get pulled down into the feed pipe.
If you have any fittings on your tank outlet pull it out drain and flush the tank and blow the lines out with them disconnected from the tank.

 

[DaveB2650]

Certainly sounds like a fuel starvation issue.
Fuel pump slowly loosing pressure/cavitation from a bad seal.
If there were a constant reduction in fuel delivery, the problem wouldn't be gradual, it would always be there from start-up.
I imagine your problem would take longer to develop if you started and left the tractor at idle versus revving up 2/3'rds once it's warmed up.
Me, I'd check seals/gaskets for a vacuum leak allowing air into the pressurized side of the fuel delivery.

 

[Snappy BX]

Is the fuel filter empty when the loss of power occurs ?
If so the cause is probably something floating in tank, then blocking the fuel line.
Floats up when you stop and blocks it with the suction when running.

 

[connor77]

I might have been the person someone referenced. I had this exact same issue with my 2660. I replaced fuel filters multiple times and also fuel pump. None of these things was the culprit. I finally bought a small shop vac and actually vacuumed out my fuel tank completely after having run the tractor almost out of fuel. Sure enough there was a small piece of plastic, I believe from the tank manufacture, that kept covering the fuel line. The shop vac's first use was this cleaning so I could see nothing other than fuel and this small piece of plastic in the vac container when I was done. No issues since. A pain but I didn't have to remove my tank. As a precaution I now use a filter before adding fuel to my tractor just as another safety precaution but I don't believe I've ever had an issue with bad diesel. Good luck....