BX25 stalling

[deerhunter1]

I have a BX25 its 3 or 4 years old has around 140 hours on it. about 2 weeks ago I started it up and it turned over and ran fine for about 5 minutes then it started sputtering and stalled. I could continue to start it but it would stall within a few seconds, it was almost out of fuel so I stopped. A couple days later I filled it up and it started and ran fine for about 20 minutes or so till I was done using it. 2 weeks later I need to use it again and same thing, Started right up and idled fine for 5 minutes then sputtered and stalled. I could keep starting it but it stalled out right away. temps here over this time period has been single digit lowes to low 30's for highs. when I turn the key half way so the glow plug indicator lights on the panel I used to hear a tick-tick sound now I get the indicator but no ticking sound. when it spits and sputters it blows black smoke. please help. thank you

 

[Scooby074]

I bet your filters are gelled/frozen. And the lift pump (tick tick) is either gelled up or not getting fuel to pump past the first filter.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...264930-kubota-electric-lift-pump-failure.html

Are you treating your fuel?

I did a thread on the subject as well as improving filtration on the BX

 

[Storm56]

Sounds like a clogged fuel filter and\or water in the fuel. ULS fuel is very prone to absorbing water and nothing messes up a diesel fuel system quicker than a little moisture. Simply replacing the fuel filter if there is water in the system will have you back in the same spot in short order, so you may need to drain and refill the tank or at the very least treat the fuel with a moisture absorbing additive. Remember diesel fuel systems also need to be purged, bled if you will. Check your owners manual on the procedure.

 

[deerhunter1]

I did not treat my fuel. Im a novice, I didn't know it was necessary. I read some of the thread above. do you think I should try a space heater close to the engine and some additive? What is the best additive/

 

[radioman]

first off - no ticking means no power to feul pump. fix that issue first before messing with additives for diesel. checking your fuse for feul pump would be the first place I'd check. if it looks ok - check wiring to pump.

 

[Storm56]

If you have moisture in your fuel system and it solidified, your pump may be plugged up and that is why you cannot hear it...

 

[Scooby074]

I did not treat my fuel. Im a novice, I didn't know it was necessary. I read some of the thread above. do you think I should try a space heater close to the engine and some additive? What is the best additive/

Is your tractor inside?

Problem with a space heater is (assuming your fuel is bad) as soon as your tractor comes back to ambient temp, the problem will return.

A heater can get the fuel flowing, which will allow you to get the fuel treatment through the system to break up any wax or ice clogging the filters.

There are lots of diesel anti-gel treatments out there. Power Service 911 is an "emergency" treatment that you add to your fuel to try to undo what gelling has taken place.

You should also treat your fuel to both add lubrication and lower the gel point (and eliminate water). Treating year round is good. For that chemical, there are also lots of options. Power Service "White" is one such type. I bought a jug based on online reputation, but I have not had much luck with it and will be going back to another brand next tank.

Locally its Howes Diesel Treat Howes Lubricator or Kleen Flo Diesel Fuel Conditioner that is the most commonly used by diesel equipment operators, because its commonly available and inexpensive.

Best idea is to get it into some heat, let it warm up. Treat your fuel. Run the tractor so that the chemicals have a chance to work. You may have to change the first filter out of the tank as well. It can become damaged from the gel. Its a cheap thing to buy.

And buy your fuel where the big trucks shop. This means it is fresh, and also it is "winter" fuel which differs in gel point from summer fuel.

 

[Coyote machine]

So people can better help you add your state to your profile. If in the Northeast, for instance, you need to be running cut fuel, ie., winterized by the seller where you buy it. Run a clean fuel filter and be careful if running a space heater to properly ventilate the area, and have NO open source of any kind of flammable liquid. Open your hood so hot air can pass by your engine, fuel pump/tank fuel lines, injection pump etc., to try to thaw out any ice and make any water settle to the bottom of your fuel bowl/tank, then drain out any visible water.
Post back results.

 

[Coyote machine]

Is your tractor inside?

Problem with a space heater is (assuming your fuel is bad) as soon as your tractor comes back to ambient temp, the problem will return.

A heater can get the fuel flowing, which will allow you to get the fuel treatment through the system to break up any wax or ice clogging the filters.

There are lots of diesel anti-gel treatments out there. Power Service 911 is an "emergency" treatment that you add to your fuel to try to undo what gelling has taken place.

You should also treat your fuel to both add lubrication and lower the gel point (and eliminate water). Treating year round is good. For that chemical, there are also lots of options. Power Service "White" is one such type. I bought a jug based on online reputation, but I have not had much luck with it and will be going back to another brand next tank.

Locally its Howes Diesel Treat Howes Lubricator or Kleen Flo Diesel Fuel Conditioner that is the most commonly used by diesel equipment operators, because its commonly available and inexpensive.

Best idea is to get it into some heat, let it warm up. Treat your fuel. Run the tractor so that the chemicals have a chance to work. You may have to change the first filter out of the tank as well. It can become damaged from the gel. Its a cheap thing to buy.

And buy your fuel where the big trucks shop. This means it is fresh, and also it is "winter" fuel which differs in gel point from summer fuel.

Scooby 074, you're the guy who added the micron fuel/H2o separator to your Kubota, right? How do you find that to be working out for you? Do you feel that without it your series of tractors is more prone to water and gel/freezing issues? Thanks for info that may be helpful to the OP too with his tractor....

 

[Scooby074]

Scooby 074, you're the guy who added the micron fuel/H2o separator to your Kubota, right? How do you find that to be working out for you? Do you feel that without it your series of tractors is more prone to water and gel/freezing issues? Thanks for info that may be helpful to the OP too with his tractor....

Its working amazing!

Pulls a lot of water out of the fuel. Last service, I probably got the better part of 3/8" in a mason jar of water out of it. Adding that filter to ANY make of tractor is a good idea.

I had one issue when it was -17*C this year since adding the filter. I think there was a slight gelling somewhere in the system. The tractor did not stop, but stuttered a bit. Fuel was treated with PS White. I added some PS 911 and it cleared it right up. Im likely going to Howes next tank, I wanted to use up the White before buying new stuff. Racor has some treatment available locally. I havent heard much about it because its new here, but Racor is a solid brand, so it likely is good stuff. I wont be using PS White any more.

I dont know if the BX is more prone to water issues or not. I kinda wonder though. I really dont like the fuel cap (particularly the breather on top) on them. I get a bit of frozen condensation around the top of the filler neck and underside of the cap, even when treating my fuel, buying at a "good" store and running it through one of those Mr.Funnel funnels. Snow builds up all over it. I wonder if temp changes are causing that snow to get sucked back into the tank via that little breather button on top... No idea.