Oil & Fuel BX-24 Fuel Filter Problem

[arcticranger]

Not a tractor professional but have done minor maintenance on my BX-24. I ran it out of gas a few days ago, newbie mistake, and now I must change the fuel filters. The side facing filter I was able to do relatively easily, I used 2 needle nosed pliers to clamp the in/out lines, with some rags protecting the rubber from the pliers. There was leakage for only a few secs and I got to work doing the replacement.

The underside filter is another story. Clamping in the same way isn't working, I tightened the pliers on the hose as far as I dared to and the fuel is still squirting out. I've plugged it back into the old filter and am leaving it until I get some advice.

Do people typically drain the fuel before doing this or is there a better recommended clamping technique? I followed a YT vid as regards using pliers. Any advice appreciated!

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I've used small vise-grips to clamp the lines with no problem. These days I find something like this a bit handier.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YKHRUK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Roadworthy]

I've never seen a BX and this may be a silly question but is there a way to mount a permanent shutoff valve in the fuel line somewhere?

 

[boomer1025]

Just plug the line the fuel is coming out of with a golf tee, bolt, piece of dow rod ect. Then replace the filter and connect the fuel line.

 

[Mowbizz]

I bought a 3 piece set of pinch pliers on Amazon. They work great! I just used them to install a filter relocation kit to eliminate that pesky filter underneath.

 

[arcticranger]

I've never seen a BX and this may be a silly question but is there a way to mount a permanent shutoff valve in the fuel line somewhere?

You need to clamp both in/out on 2 fuel lines, so that is 4 positions, all in tight spaces. Not sure where you'd fit a shutoff.

 

[arcticranger]

Well I got both replaced but tractor is still blowing blackish smoke and I see the battery light. I'll ask for any last advice here before I call in the service people ($$$$).

 

[moship]

Don't recall you mentioning there was a problem with the tractor until Post #7. Everything up to this point was about changing the filters. So did it have a black smoke issue before you ran in out of fuel? You mentioned running out of gas, but assumed you meant diesel.

If black smoke, have you checked your air filters?

 

[RjCorazza]

I've never clamped downstream of the filters on my ZD mowers that have a similar fuel delivery as the BX machines. Since I have a fuel valve for 2 tanks, I close the valve, clamp before the first filter, then change the filters.
Running out of fuel does not require replacing filters, although you would need to bleed the fuel system. I don't know the procedure for a BX, but most diesels I've had have a bleeder screw near the injectors that is opened to bleed air.

Do yourself a favor and look into one of the filter relocation kits that are available, or just see how others have done it. On my ZD mowers I relocated the first inline OEM filter to a convenient location, added a large 2 micron spin on cat filter, and left the second OEM filter in the original location for protection from a catastrophic lift pump failure (which is its original purpose in my application).

 

[kevinj]

I've never seen a BX and this may be a silly question but is there a way to mount a permanent shutoff valve in the fuel line somewhere?

Put it inline before the first filter.

I have done a couple of them and it works well.

 

[arcticranger]

Don't recall you mentioning there was a problem with the tractor until Post #7. Everything up to this point was about changing the filters. So did it have a black smoke issue before you ran in out of fuel? You mentioned running out of gas, but assumed you meant diesel.

If black smoke, have you checked your air filters?

This is my 2nd time running out of fuel in past month. I had no idea about not running to empty on a diesel engine. First time I did this I was able to add diesel and it did blow some black smoke, however it started up and I worked for a week pretty good. There WAS noticeably weaker performance of the front loader at first but it improved.

This time I ran out and refueled, it did start up and idle again but then blew black smoke and stopped. Starting up after that just caused violent chugging so I stopped and called the local service folks. They are the ones who suggested I start with a fuel filter change.

That's done but now it's not turning over at all. They're due here tomorrow.

I have learned Lesson #1 of my BX24. And if I said gas, yes I meant diesel.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

...
Running out of fuel does not require replacing filters, although you would need to bleed the fuel system. I don't know the procedure for a BX, but most diesels I've had have a bleeder screw near the injectors that is opened to bleed air....

The '24 will bleed itself: Kubota BX-Bleed Fuel System

Z.

 

[arcticranger]

Well it is a fuel solenoid shut-off issue, that unit has to be replaced.

 

[arcticranger]

and now, in addition, the service dept has found that a relay needs to be replaced, it's a 1 square inch box, cost $140. Without it the tractor can start but cannot stop, even when key is in off position. Anyone familiar with that dangerous failure?

 

[moship]

My guess - Key stop relay. PN T0070-31410

From Messick's website:

Kubota: RELAY, Part # T0070-31410

Part Number T0070-31410
Vendor Kubota
Messick's Price $106.00
Stock Quantity 10
Weight 0.16 lbs
Days to Order In stock
Replaces 31351-31410, 31351-31413, 31351-31412

 

[arcticranger]

My guess - Key stop relay. PN T0070-31410

From Messick's website:

Kubota: RELAY, Part # T0070-31410

Part Number T0070-31410
Vendor Kubota
Messick's Price $106.00
Stock Quantity 10
Weight 0.16 lbs
Days to Order In stock
Replaces 31351-31410, 31351-31413, 31351-31412

That sure looks like it. I see it going for between $65-95 online. My servicer Marshall Machinery says they are ordering a newer version of it for $140. Or maybe the unit you listed is the upgrade.

Are there actual stories of tractors just NOT stopping due to this relay going bad?

 

[RaydaKub]

and now, in addition, the service dept has found that a relay needs to be replaced, it's a 1 square inch box, cost $140. Without it the tractor can start but cannot stop, even when key is in off position. Anyone familiar with that dangerous failure?

The design here follows the big tractors. Imagine driving down the road with a big load behind and a fuse pops. You lose steering and brakes traveling at 20+ mph with tons of grain behind you. Not cool. So they run with the circuit not energized and even if the fuse blows, you have lost nothing until you want to shut it off, but now out of any danger. Annoying maybe, but far less dangerous than the alternative.

For those who have put a valve inline, what have you used? The only ones I have found here are 1/4 inch line and the BX filters are 5/16 (actually metric of course). I hunted on Amazon and found not much more. But it is such a pain to change those filters and have fuel splatter into your face...

Better yet, I know there are kits to move that filter out to the left side near the loader mount with new longer fuel lines, but the ones I have seen are spec'ed for the 50 series and newer, but I have a 30 series. Anybody know of a kit for 30's?

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

...

For those who have put a valve inline, what have you used? The only ones I have found here are 1/4 inch line and the BX filters are 5/16 (actually metric of course). I hunted on Amazon and found not much more. But it is such a pain to change those filters and have fuel splatter into your face...

...

1st hit on Google. There are others listed lower on the product page. No clue about quality or utility...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045L9AD8/ref=dp_cerb_3

FWIW,
Z.

 

[RaydaKub]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045L9AD8/ref=dp_cerb_3

I bow to your superior search skills, Zoltan! :laughing:

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I bow to your superior search skills, Zoltan! :laughing:

Google-fu, grasshopper. Google-fu...