BX2360 Issues in Cold Weather

[jfhall]

I'm hoping somebody has some ideas where to start. For most of last winter I had issues with it running in the winter, even when the temperature wasn't overly cold (15 - 20 degrees even). We did have some cold days last year previous to when the problems started so I assumed the issue to be diesel gelling issues as I didn't treat the fuel. It does have a block heater so the fix was to plug it in for a few hours and try again. Just frustrating since I want to do what I want to do now, not in 6 hours!

I had a full service done on it near the end of the winter, fuel filters replaced, etc. and spring came. Used it all spring/summer/fall of course with no issues. Cold weather started to come so I picked up fresh fuel, treated it and got ready for winter. I wake up this morning to 12" of snow. It's been cold lately (10 degrees), and am having issues this morning with it again. = stranded at home for the next 6 hours!

Symptoms (same as last year):
- I turn the key, warm the plugs for 20 secs and tractor starts fine
- Idles rough for 5 - 10 secs then smoothens out and sounds fine (I leave it idling low to warm up)
- 3-5 minutes later (still just at an idle) it starts to run rough then stalls
- Now won't start at all without being on the block heater for half a day

This is year 3 of having the tractor. Never had these issues through year one. Had a B7610 previously and never had issues with it either. The obvious answer is gelling but why does it run for minutes first. I have also treated the fuel. Last year at one point I pulled the injectors and cranked it over to make sure I was getting fuel and I was.

Do others have issues with their BX tractors? I saw one other post hear wear the symptoms were similar but no answer (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/161210-bx2360-glow-plugs-cold-weather.html).

Just very frustrated - need a reliable tractor when I need it, not 6 hours later.

Thanks for the ideas

 

[AStanton]

I've got a BX-25. To date I will say, that compared to any generator, log splitter, ATV, chainsaw or whatever, it's the best starting machine I've ever owned. It pops right off, even after a 4-month sleep in my garage after winter. I would bet you got some bad fuel. There's a miracle product called Sea Foam. It's a fuel treatment product that can be put in diesel or gas. Get some from Napa and try it. It might purge your system.
Good luck.

 

[jfhall]

Thanks for your reply. I can certainly give that stuff a try. I did treat the fuel before adding it to the tractor with a product that prevents gelling (up to -40) and is a cetane booster so I'm not sure if the fix is that simple. I certainly wish it was!

One hour on the heater and still no go. I wouldn't care if it took less than half a day to get it going with the heater...

 

[jfhall]

this is the stuff that I added to the fuel last time I filled up. then ran the tractor for an hour

DIESEL FUEL SUPPLEMENT® +Cetane Boost®: Arctic Formula ? use when temperatures drop below 30°F. for maximum winter operability.

it certainly seems like a fuel issue but I thought I did everything right in order to prevent this issue again this year

 

[rbarker]

My BX25 starts are runs great in the cold as well but my BX2200 wasn't as good. I had the block heater plugged into a switched outlet and would turn it on well in advance of needing it. The one time I had gelling issues I used a space heater under the tractor since the fuel usually gells prior to getting to the motor. If it's not gelled fuel ( or water) then I have no idea where else to look. Hope you get it figured out soon!

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[unbidden]

I have a BX2660, 4th winter with it and have had no issues starting. I do keep it in a tent/shelter. My question is, when you did a full service, did they replace the glow plugs? By the way, I also use SeaFoam during the winter months.

 

[Leejohn]

Look at your last invoice and see if 2 fuel filters were put on.

 

[wmonroe]

The fact that it is starting fine and running and then it stalls tells me it is a fuel delivery issue. Do the BX's use a lift pump?

 

[Gordon Gould]

The Power Service you are using should be as good as anything I would think and should prevent gelling if you have the correct mixture. It does sound like fuel. If you take the filter off can you see gelled fuel ? I don't know anything about your BX but if if starts good the first time in the cold your glow plugs must be OK. The only common thing left is fuel gelling or ice, or no air air. Do you have a screen filter in the fuel line somewhere or a restriction ?

edit: Bill's a faster typer.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Another thought. It is posible you are sucking air in the fuel line and some how it is only a problem in cold weather.

 

[radioman]

I have no idea why you are having issues now, but I am curoius why are you warming up engine at idle instead of bumping it up rpms to something like 1200-1800? Leejohn has the right idea though -- was TWO diesel filters replaced on invoice? I'd check the one underneath first and compare it to the color by engine. The bottom filter is "exposed" to the elements and not warmed up by block heater. The filter by engine MIGHT get some sort of radiated warmth from engine block heater unless its windy where tractor is stored. If you have treated your feul - I'd pull out a sample and look at it in a clear glass jar .any crystals ? waxing. I'd put 911 in it. Are you sure the tractor is shutting off from the gelling or one of the tractor safety interlocks? Pull back on pto lever while trying to start, wiggle hst, etc. I'd would also glow the plugs a bit more then 20 sec like 30 secs or cycle glowing twice before starting if it really cold.

 

[jfhall]

Thanks for all of the replies guys - it's really appreciated. I think leejohn and radioman are on the right track. I got underneath it and looked at the filter and it was visibly brown - and not just on the outside. When they serviced it I don't believe the filters were changed, just the oil (which they wrote a date on - nothing like that on the fuel filters). I also don't remember seeing anything on the invoice about fuel filters. It was the 'free' 100 hour service they provide with the tractor and it seems the filters aren't replaced typically at that point. I guess my next step is to pull them off and get them swapped just am not going to find any filters for it today guess I'm calling somebody for a plow!

 

[Leejohn]

If you have alot of snow to move and have a some copper tubing that would go inside of the fuel line I would just bypass the one under the tractor until monday. Not the one at the engine....

 

[unbidden]

After re-reading your initial post and latter response

"I got underneath it and looked at the filter and it was visibly brown"

. Maybe sediment in the gas tank gets stirred up after a few minutes and clogs the filters...???

 

[dodge man]

I've had my BX about 5 years and I've had the exact same problem you describe 3 times. Always in the winter and replacing the rear fuel filter always fixed it. I even cut my fuel filters open afterwards and it was like you described, brown inside but not really gelled up. The truth is the filters on the BX are on the small side and I always keep a couple spares around.

 

[radioman]

you can go to an auto store and pick up fuel filter that is closest to yours to get yourself up and running. After you get it replaced and running good , cut the old filter in hald and check to see if the paper is catching rust making it brown or if it dyed from off road red diesel . If rust -- I'd be checking the feul source and your cans/storage tank.

 

[jfhall]

Sorry for the delay in posting but that it due to good news - it's running - for now... Before my previous post I stuck an electric space heater underneath it for a while in a small enclosed area. I went out there about to follow leejohns last suggestion (small piece of copper in hand - didn't take doing that lightly but there was a lot of snow and it had to go - 12" and 350 foot driveway). Decided to try it one last time after moving the heater and voila, it fired up!

Thanks again for everybody's input. I will be taking a trip to my dealer tomorrow for a pair of filters and will get the swapped. I'm sure it is the first filter that is the problem - it looks terrible. I think it was the small heater right underneath by the filter that was the key.

Thanks again!

 

[rbarker]

Sorry for the delay in posting but that it due to good news - it's running - for now... Before my previous post I stuck an electric space heater underneath it for a while in a small enclosed area. I went out there about to follow leejohns last suggestion (small piece of copper in hand - didn't take doing that lightly but there was a lot of snow and it had to go - 12" and 350 foot driveway). Decided to try it one last time after moving the heater and voila, it fired up! Thanks again for everybody's input. I will be taking a trip to my dealer tomorrow for a pair of filters and will get the swapped. I'm sure it is the first filter that is the problem - it looks terrible. I think it was the small heater right underneath by the filter that was the key. Thanks again!

Great news, the power of the forum comes through again! Nothing like the collective wisdom and experience of a large group of fellow owners to help solve problems.

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[HeLa]

great thread, and thanks to the OP for coming back and explaining the resolution. this is often the most valuable comment for future searches!

after reading this i'm going to pick up a few extra fuel filters this week to keep out in the barn for days just like today.

 

[CLeman]

Exact same problem with my BX2360, thanks for the input everyone!