Power Loss in BX2200

[JWR]

I've searched other BX2200 power loss threads and found none matching my situation. This one has about 900 hrs on it. I've had it for 20 years. Garage kept. Nothing remarkable aside from being well kept for at least the last 700 hours and 20 years. Generally very reliable. Have fixed many minor things over the years (installed the hard start relay, replaced a few hydraulic lines, put in steering cylinder seals, etc.) but just a super all around work horse.
For many years it has had an odd thing going on where where I hear it change sound from the standard purr of a good little diesel to what sounds like it is laboring -- almost like an exhaust obstruction. Lowered pitch in frequency of the engine sound -- from a "yeee to an uuuh" if you can think of it with me,,, which of course I cannot describe well. But definitely slightly lowered pitch sound. Ignored it for many years. [Always when fully warmed up, running pretty much full throttle.] In earlier years I could not detect any loss of rpm or power. -- just the sound. Could not convince myself there was anything wrong. This season for the first season it has lost power noticeably in some of those incidents. Lower rpm, maybe 40% loss of power, but keeps running. When I reduce load (like shutting off the belly mower or stop pushing into a pile of soil with the FEL, reducing throttle , etc.) it hesitates a few seconds and picks back up to near full rpm but still does not sound quite normal. Shut it down, go away for 1/2 hour, come back and start it up and all is well with no apparent after effects. In the last week it has happened several times & mainly when under heavy load -- max output shoving full loader bucket from a pile and lifting, etc. all at full rpm. At least one of those times restarting gave stumbling and unhappy slow response in engine rpm.

Have used Seafoam additive over the years many times but generally I am not an additive fan. Get my diesel fuel at local automotive stations. Have used/maintained 5 other Kubota's (both 3 and 4 cyl) over the last 20 years and none of the others have this disease.

Any ideas what is going on here?

 

[5030]

Failing fuel line from the tank to the primary filter maybe. I had to replace mine on my cab M9 this year. It was failing internally.

 

[JWR]

By failing you mean collapsing, air leak or ? Any way to test it or just easier to replace it and see if that erases the issue?

 

[5030]

By failing you mean collapsing, air leak or ? Any way to test it or just easier to replace it and see if that erases the issue?

It was coming apart inside and pieces were partially blocking the fuel flow. I replaced mine with 'Tygon' fuel line instead of the OEM black whatever it is. Pretty easy to replace too..

 

[JWR]

Good info. Thanks.

 

[dodge man]

Have you replaced the fuel filters? They are tiny little things a plug up easily, usually the rear one is the culprit.

 

[JWR]

Have you replaced the fuel filters? They are tiny little things a plug up easily, usually the rear one is the culprit.

I'm no doubt going to do that but it just doesn't seem to fit the known facts -- that this has been going on for years, never affected power output that I could tell until a couple months ago, goes away completely after stopping use of the tractor for a half hour, etc. Also why the sound would be the noticeable thing to change and be noticed when the problem occurs. For sure good idea to just replace them, but how do I explain that being the issue?

 

[gsganzer]

My 2003 BX2200 did the same thing. I replaced both fuel filters and it fixed it.

 

[dodge man]

I owned a BX for 10years and had it happen also like you describe.

 

[gsganzer]

I'm no doubt going to do that but it just doesn't seem to fit the known facts -- that this has been going on for years, never affected power output that I could tell until a couple months ago, goes away completely after stopping use of the tractor for a half hour, etc. Also why the sound would be the noticeable thing to change and be noticed when the problem occurs. For sure good idea to just replace them, but how do I explain that being the issue?

Mine wouldn't do it when I first started the tractor and ran for 1/2 hour or so. Once it got hot or I hit some tall grass it would do as you describe. It was the fuel filters, replace both of them, they're cheap to purchase.

If I'm right and it fixes your problem, you owe me a beer.

 

[JWR]

My 2003 BX2200 did the same thing. I replaced both fuel filters and it fixed it.

ganzer, dodgeman, That is huge -- applicable experience ! Thanks guys.

 

[JWR]

Mine wouldn't do it when I first started the tractor and ran for 1/2 hour or so. Once it got hot or I hit some tall grass it would do as you describe. It was the fuel filters, replace both of them, they're cheap to purchase.

If I'm right and it fixes your problem, you owe me a beer.

I am reaching for my wallet... I think I owe you. The symptoms you describe are just like mine with not acting up until it ran for a while and usually when under more load. I got the filters on-line very readily -- both very available and inexpensive. The one along the lower rear left side of the engine was easy to get to and quickly replaced. The other one up under the center of the tractor chassis is a whole other thing.
First, I cannot find it in the location shown in the user's manual. drawing shows it forward of the PTO and transmission oil filter and further forward than the two tubular cross members. I cannot find the fuel pump and that 2nd filter much less change that filter. Looks to me like I would need to remove the mower deck at least to get space to see up in there. Feeling around following the lines by touch I cannot feel either the pump or the 2nd filter.

Anyone changed the "under chassis fuel filter" on a BX2200? Would appreciate hearing what you had to remove and how you did the replacement.

OBTW the old upper filter (one closer the engine) provides a lot more back pressure blowing through it by mouth than the new filters. Even after blowing the residual fuel out. Maybe that is because it is wet or because of years worth of crud?

 

[Eagle1]

Lower filter is the one that cruds up, you will have to remove the deck then it's right in the middle next the fuel pump. All the fuel will try to leave the tank once you unplug the line, so a golf tee plugs the line nicely. One bolt to remove filter, 10mm I think. But it is a ***** to get started again while holding the filter and clamp. Make sure you put it in the right direction the first time.... sucks more the second time.
I've had little success sliding the filter out of the clamp and think it's just easier to remove it all together and put it back as an assy. YMMV

 

[gsganzer]

As Eagle says, take the mower deck off. I think the bracket that holds the filter to the frame is 10mm.

With the additional advice, my price has now increased. A bottle of this will do.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Anyone changed the "under chassis fuel filter" on a BX2200? Would appreciate hearing what you had to remove and how you did the replacement.

Closest I can come is a BX24. No deck to remove but did have a Bro-Tek crunch plate in the way. Once stuff is out of the way it's no big deal, but I'd suggest you have something like this handy. Otherwise it takes 3 hands and a lot of shop towels...

Z.

 

[Eagle1]

3 hands would help and I always take a diesel bath....

 

[JWR]

Closest I can come is a BX24. No deck to remove but did have a Bro-Tek crunch plate in the way. Once stuff is out of the way it's no big deal, but I'd suggest you have something like this handy. Otherwise it takes 3 hands and a lot of shop towels...

Z.

View attachment 824807

OK, I give up ... what do these things do?

 

[oldnslo]

Those clamps are used to pinch the hose off without damaging it from sharp edges like pliers or vice grips can.

 

[JWR]

Those clamps are used to pinch the hose off without damaging it from sharp edges like pliers or vice grips can.

Oh, OK. Understand. I have been using small vise grips for that purpose and just being careful not to crush the tubing.

 

[JWR]

Update: Thanks to the good advice from eagle1, gsganzer, olnslo and all of you the job is done.
As some of you predicted I did have a fuel in the face bath (bothering only my left eye for a short work stoppage) , etc. Took far longer to get the deck off and back on than both filter changes combined...used that opportunity to check my blades, lube things that hadn't been lubed in eons, and replaced all four of the deck wheels since I had replacements in stock. How to fill out an entire afternoon replacing a fuel filter but all good in the long run.

I do have some puzzles about the plumbing underneath the BX ( stuff that does not show in the manual, odd hose routing, etc.) Will ask those questions later after I get photos moved on to the PC.
Thanks all.