Running rough

[Stomper]

I have an L2501 with 379 hours on it. It has run flawlessly up until now. Yesterday while plowing snow it all of a sudden started bogging. It was -27c out so I immediately thought it was freezing up. I limped it back to my heated shop and left it overnight. I just started it up now in the shop and it is doing the same thing. I just replaced the fuel filter around 10 hours ago so I’m thinking that shouldn’t be the issue. I am on 1/4 tank of fuel and had no issues with the first 3/4 tank so I’m thinking that probably not the issue either. Any pointers as where to look would be greatly appreciated.

Edit:
I let it run for awhile and it seems that things have cleared up. I guess it just needed a bit of time to run fuel through the system. I have never ran a fuel conditioner but I will start now. Hopefully that will keep this from happening again.

 

[Roadworthy]

I was told by my local Kubota mechanic that the newer diesel fuels start to gel at a higher temperature than the old fuels did. He recommends using a fuel additive whenever temps approach freezing which in your case would be 0 degrees C or in my case 32 degrees F.

 

[RalphVa]

This happened on my JD 4010. A couple nights at 10 F caused some wax globs to form in the fuel. They settled down at the fuel outlet and partly plugged it. Had to come back from snow plowing at just above idle speed. Had to siphon the tank and to remove the globs with a remote 3 finger fish tool. Don't think an additive would keep this from happening. Was the only time I'd ever used an off road diesel fuel.

 

[JerryMT]

I have an L2501 with 379 hours on it. It has run flawlessly up until now. Yesterday while plowing snow it all of a sudden started bogging. It was -27c out so I immediately thought it was freezing up. I limped it back to my heated shop and left it overnight. I just started it up now in the shop and it is doing the same thing. I just replaced the fuel filter around 10 hours ago so I’m thinking that shouldn’t be the issue. I am on 1/4 tank of fuel and had no issues with the first 3/4 tank so I’m thinking that probably not the issue either. Any pointers as where to look would be greatly appreciated.

Edit:
I let it run for awhile and it seems that things have cleared up. I guess it just needed a bit of time to run fuel through the system. I have never ran a fuel conditioner but I will start now. Hopefully that will keep this from happening again.

It could be that you are running with "summer fuel" which will start to precipitate wax (so called "jelling") at around +28°F or you may have water in your fuel that froze up in the tank bottom or between the tank and the fuel filter. Power Service makes a product called 911 that can be used for waxed up filters. You need to manage the potential for condensed water by keeping the fuel tank mostly full when you are not using the machine. It won't eliminate the condensation but it will minimize it. How often do you drain your fuel filter or check it for water? Do you have a separate water seperator? You can use a hair dryer or a heat gun on the filter housings/ water seperators to thaw frozen water. If the housing is plastic you'll have to be careful.

The best advice I can give for cold weather operation is to make sure you have winter grade fuel in tank BEFORE the temperature drops, Keep you fuel tank above 3/4 full between uses to minimize condensation. Consider treating your fuel with additives that help water accrete on the fuel filter and drop to the bottom where it can be drained off and then check for water drain any water off. Many fuel additives also lower the pour point and increase the cetane number (easier starting) both of which help in cold weather operation.
I hope this helps you.

 

[Stomper]

Thanks guys.
I know for certain that it is winter fuel, so thats covered. In the three years that i have had the tractor I have never used a fuel conditioner, but thinking back last winter there were a couple times while plowing snow it ran rough for a few minutes but then cleared up. It has a clear plastic fuel filter bowl but I haven't seen any water in it. It seems to be running fine in my heated shop so I am thinking it was the cold causing fuel issues. I picked up some fuel conditioner today so I will give that a try. I store it in my heated shop when I am not using it but during the winter months I only use it when plowing after a snow fall.

 

[BAP]

Thanks guys.
I know for certain that it is winter fuel, so thats covered. In the three years that i have had the tractor I have never used a fuel conditioner, but thinking back last winter there were a couple times while plowing snow it ran rough for a few minutes but then cleared up. It has a clear plastic fuel filter bowl but I haven't seen any water in it. It seems to be running fine in my heated shop so I am thinking it was the cold causing fuel issues. I picked up some fuel conditioner today so I will give that a try. I store it in my heated shop when I am not using it but during the winter months I only use it when plowing after a snow fall.

Storage in a heated shop then going out in the bitter cold is a good recipe for fuel problems. Going from warm to cold is going to cause condensation, ice formation and plugged filters. You definitely need something additional added to your fuel to prevent it from happening. Also, just because you have winter fuel, doesn’t mean it is rated down to cold enough temperature depending on how much summer fuel was left in the tank at fuel station when they dumped winter fuel in.

 

[DustyRusty]

Treat your fuel with a dose of Service Power with every fill-up. Never had a problem with my tractor in the 18 years that I had the old one, and I used a lot of Service Power in the fuel. I never measured, just gave it a generous splash and it never let me down. I bought a bottle of 911 years ago, but have never had a need for it. I would give it away, but that might jinx me once it was gone.