Stalling B2601

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Great forum!

I have a B2601 with 134 hours on it that is slow to start and stalls after about 15 seconds running. I changed the fuel filter to no avail then drained the fuel tank and replaced the fuel still to no avail. Ran a bit of diesel deep clean through, still no change from what I can tell.

It’s about four years old, used mostly for tilling and mowing.

Any thoughts?
 

rentthis

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May 30, 2012
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Does it ,by chance, have a second fuel filter that you haven't found? Another easy thing to try is to open your fuel cap to see if it's vent is clogged. that's a long shot because it takes longer that 15 seconds as a rule. Another possibility is gasoline in the fuel.
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Does it ,by chance, have a second fuel filter that you haven't found? Another easy thing to try is to open your fuel cap to see if it's vent is clogged. that's a long shot because it takes longer that 15 seconds as a rule. Another possibility is gasoline in the fuel.
Nah
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Does it ,by chance, have a second fuel filter that you haven't found? Another easy thing to try is to open your fuel cap to see if it's vent is clogged. that's a long shot because it takes longer that 15 seconds as a rule. Another possibility is gasoline in the fuel.
Thanks for the thoughts! Just the one fuel filter, and no vacuum problem with the cap (tried that first and subsequently, repeated loosening it). There’s definitely not gasoline in the fuel, drained it completely and filled it from a new jug of new diesel myself.
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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Chenango County, NY
Runs for 15 seconds and quits?

Does it shut off like turning the key off, or does it stumble and slowly quit?

If the former, bet it's a safety switch. If the latter, could be fuel related.

If the former, bet is seat switch.
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Runs for 15 seconds and quits?

Does it shut off like turning the key off, or does it stumble and slowly quit?

If the former, bet it's a safety switch. If the latter, could be fuel related.

If the former, bet is seat switch.
Stumbles and quits.

Does feel like a fuel issue to me, was hoping to narrow it down more than that. I’ve drained all the lines between the tank and the fuel pump and drained and replaced the fuel. I suppose the next step is to get a diesel mechanic here…
 

John D 2

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Equipment
B2601 LA435 loader, 54inch MMM, carry all, boom pole, fertilizer spreader.
Jun 6, 2023
138
142
43
Texas
If it's stalling due to lack of fuel, and both the fuel filter and the fuel line is clear I would think the next thing to check would be the fuel pump.

But I'm not a diesel mechanic.
 

BAP

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2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
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Pull off the line going into the fuel filter assembly. Pull the filter off and clean the passages in the filter assembly itself. They have been known to plug up with crap causing low fuel flow.
 
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John D 2

Active member

Equipment
B2601 LA435 loader, 54inch MMM, carry all, boom pole, fertilizer spreader.
Jun 6, 2023
138
142
43
Texas
Any updates on your tractor?
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Any updates on your tractor?
Thanks for asking! Still not running. I cleaned out all the lines (didn’t help) and ordered a fuel shut off solenoid that will get here today, but I’m not holding my breath. The fuse on it was fine and it clicks audibly when I turn the key or remove/replace the fuse when the key is on, seems like it’s doing something!
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Pull off the line going into the fuel filter assembly. Pull the filter off and clean the passages in the filter assembly itself. They have been known to plug up with crap causing low fuel flow.
Thanks for this advice! Didn’t do the trick, but I’m still trying! Getting a diesel mechanic out here where I am isn’t easy, just not many farms!
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Well, swapping the solenoid didn’t do it, although after I tried that I popped the fuel pump off just to look at it, and when I put the whole thing back together it ran for like 25 seconds before stalling. Not sure what that means.
 

fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
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Eastham, Ma
Well, swapping the solenoid didn’t do it, although after I tried that I popped the fuel pump off just to look at it, and when I put the whole thing back together it ran for like 25 seconds before stalling. Not sure what that means.
Obstruction in fuel line supply to pump?
 
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RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,242
5,423
113
Chenango County, NY
Have you properly bled the fuel system of air prior to starting? I'm not sure what the procedure is on a B2601....

Is the fuel filter housing full of fuel when it quits?

Sometimes there's a restriction between tank and filter (often the inlet fitting of the filter housing as someone already mentioned) it will starve the filter....
 

Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
With a hearty thanks for all the advice, I used an air compressor to blow out all the fuel hoses starting from the injector backward, and it did the trick. I made a mess of diesel everywhere, but I just mowed for half an hour, so…

Again, thank you.
 
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RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,242
5,423
113
Chenango County, NY
With a hearty thanks for all the advice, I used an air compressor to blow out all the fuel hoses starting from the injector backward, and it did the trick. I made a mess of diesel everywhere, but I just mowed for half an hour, so…

Again, thank you.
Thanks for the update! Often new folks disappear after asking questions and we don't know the resolution.

So it sounds like there was an obstruction somewhere. Do you have an idea where in the system it was?

If it was the tank outlet, it's possible that could pose an issue again.

Was the fuel filter dark/black when you changed it? Do you treat your fuel with a biocide?

If it was an algal/bacterial obstruction, a biocide treatment of the fuel could help prevent recurrence. If it was trash like wasps, leaf pieces, etc. only removal will fix it.

Just something to pay attention to going forward.

Glad you got it running!
 
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Flower Farmer

New member

Equipment
Kubota B2601
Aug 19, 2024
11
3
3
Maryland
Thanks for the update! Often new folks disappear after asking questions and we don't know the resolution.

So it sounds like there was an obstruction somewhere. Do you have an idea where in the system it was?

If it was the tank outlet, it's possible that could pose an issue again.

Do you treat your fuel with a biocide? If it was an algal obstruction, a biocide treatment of the fuel could help prevent recurrence.
I’m nearly certain it was in the tank itself. I didn’t really know about biocide, but I’ll do that now.

Again, thank you all! I’ll be hanging out here for sure.
 
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