Water separator on new L2501

[Tornado]

Hello again all.

I'm here with a question regarding my brand new L2501's fuel filter. Like many new tractor owners im sure, I spent a lot of time watching youtube videos and reading stuff online in my pre purchase research. On numerous occasions I came across pictures and videos regarding the Fuel water Separator on the L series. It has a little floater inside the small resevoir, and a line on the outside - when the floater reaches the line you were supposed to empty the reservoir. You guys know all this. My question though is regards to the fact that I guess in the last couple of years Kubota changed this on the L series, as mine does not have this same system with a floater, shut off valve, etc, and only has a similar sized little reservoir with the little fuel filter inside. The owners manual also mentions nothing about "water separator" when reading about the fuel filter. Owners manuals of slightly older L series does mention the water separator and its usage, so it clearly is a change. Im just curious as to why kubota done this, and what the idea was behind it? I would think a fuel water separator would be a good thing. I guess the new little fuel filter setup to me just looks inferior to the old one of I guess a few years ago. Just looking for some thoughts on this. Ive tried to research why this change was made and stuff but just haven't come up with much.

 

[Tornado]

For some picture references, this is the older set up with the shut off valve, floater, etc that I feel looks like a better setup:

another pic of same thing:

And here is what the new/current fuel filter looks like, with no shut off valve, no floater, no markings, just a lot of plastic and the tiny filter:

 

[nickelplated5s]

It's still clear and you can still empty it. That line is way to high anyway.

 

[Tornado]

Well in the course of making the post and pulling up some stuff on this topic again I MAY have answered my own question but not sure.... It looks like the water seperator as I showed in pics 1 and 2 above are still present on the L3301 and L3901, leading me to conclude that perhaps the L2501 has NEVER had this water separator and I am mistaken. Is the water separator exclusive to the 3301 and 3901 perhaps? I was thinking I had seen it on the L2501 but must have been mistaken?

 

[SidecarFlip]

While I don't have your model Kubota, both my M's and my sold 105X all had the old style separator but I never emptied any of them. In fact I think the big aluminum hold down nut is frozen.

I use Powerservice fuel additive my diesel all the time and it emusifies any water so there is never any in the bowl Plus mine all have a spin on primary fuel filter I think my old Grand L 5030 had the same exact set up, spin on filter and bowl.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is the water separator exclusive to the 3301 and 3901 perhaps?

Yes, Because the L3301 and L3901 are common rail high pressure systems, where the L2501 is the old mechanical injection system, and it's super important that little or no water gets to the high pressure pump.

 

[Tornado]

Yes, Because the L3301 and L3901 are common rail high pressure systems, where the L2501 is the old mechanical injection system, and it's super important that little or no water gets to the high pressure pump.

Ah ok, well that answers it then. I guess I wont worry about it then. While on the subject of fuel filters, does anyone have any input on this product:

STANADYNE DIESEL PERFORMANCE FORMULA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HQ9W3E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did some research on a good diesel fuel additive and this one seemed to rank high everywhere I read so I ordered some tonight and plan to use it with every fill up in my tractor. I likely will not put even 100 hours a year on the tractor so, I want to try and make sure I have good fuel, given it may occasionally sit in the tank a little while.

 

[rkidd]

Ah ok, well that answers it then. I guess I wont worry about it then. While on the subject of fuel filters, does anyone have any input on this product:

STANADYNE DIESEL PERFORMANCE FORMULA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HQ9W3E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did some research on a good diesel fuel additive and this one seemed to rank high everywhere I read so I ordered some tonight and plan to use it with every fill up in my tractor. I likely will not put even 100 hours a year on the tractor so, I want to try and make sure I have good fuel, given it may occasionally sit in the tank a little while.

My dealer gave me a couple of bottles of Stanadyne with my new B2650. Being a retired heavy equipment operator, I am a firm beleiver of keeping good clean fuel in my tractor, as it is a real pain if you start having fuel issues, and Standyne has all of the features to help with that. I have over 1000 hrs on my B2650 in 4 yrs with no issues at all.

 

[Tornado]

My dealer gave me a couple of bottles of Stanadyne with my new B2650. Being a retired heavy equipment operator, I am a firm beleiver of keeping good clean fuel in my tractor, as it is a real pain if you start having fuel issues, and Standyne has all of the features to help with that. I have over 1000 hrs on my B2650 in 4 yrs with no issues at all.

Hey rkidd, thanks for that info. Good to hear another endorsement of the Stanadyne product. In the reading I did it seemed to be one of the best for sure. I was perplexed at first because there are so many options on the market. Hopefully it serves me well. I just worry about fuel sitting in the tank. I dont have a lot of experience with diesel as I do gas engines.

Is there some rule of thumb regarding diesel and how long it can sit in a tank of a tractor before it should be drained and not used? Im also curious how the Stanadyne product will increase the longevity of that, given it is supposed to also act as a stabilizer. I had planned to just use my same process with my gas engines, but thats me assuming gas and diesel is about the same and it may not be.