I have an 18 year old Kubota BX23 with 330 hrs. This morning I started it up and while letting it warmup, it began running rough after about 1 minute, then died. It won't restart. The fuel tank is almost full. (At 189 hrs, I replaced the injector pump and all filters). I feel like it MIGHT be a fuel issue, but I'm not sure. What can I check and in what order? Thanks
BX23 died and won't restart
- Thread starter Retiredcpa
- Start date
That is really low hours for a 18 year old machine. What led to the injection pump replacement?
Do you hear the fuel pump clicking when the switch is in the run position? If not check the 15 amp fuse.
I'd pull the fuel line off the injection pump and pump some fuel into a clear jar and look for contamination and fuel flow. With that low of use and fuel turn over I would suspect water and/or algae contamination. If that all checks out next would be fuel stop solenoid.
Do you hear the fuel pump clicking when the switch is in the run position? If not check the 15 amp fuse.
I'd pull the fuel line off the injection pump and pump some fuel into a clear jar and look for contamination and fuel flow. With that low of use and fuel turn over I would suspect water and/or algae contamination. If that all checks out next would be fuel stop solenoid.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
OK,
1) how old is the fuel
2) did you 'top up' what was in there, if so, how old was the tank fuel
3)does the lift pump 'click,click,click' ?
4) disconnect at Inj pump, turn on , does fuel squirt out ggod ?
I suspect either old, bad fuel or plugged primary fuel filter or dead lift pump.
1) how old is the fuel
2) did you 'top up' what was in there, if so, how old was the tank fuel
3)does the lift pump 'click,click,click' ?
4) disconnect at Inj pump, turn on , does fuel squirt out ggod ?
I suspect either old, bad fuel or plugged primary fuel filter or dead lift pump.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Fuel delivery issue:
Start at the fuel tank and work your way to the injection pump.
I'll bet you replaced the lift pump and not the injection pump.
Start at the fuel tank and work your way to the injection pump.
I'll bet you replaced the lift pump and not the injection pump.
As suggested, I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel pump and filled a glass jar. The fuel had water in it. I don't know how water could have gotten into my fuel can since I had just filled it at the gas station and immediately put it into my tractor, but nevertheless, it had water in it. I drained the tank, replaced my filters and it started right up. Thanks to everyone for your replies!
Service station tanks are known to have water at the bottom. The pickup tube in the station's tanks is designed to dispense the fuel above the water level at the bottom of the tank. The tanks have alarms that indicate when the water level is high enough that the dispensed fuel is contaminated. Those alarms are also able to be turned off because no one wants to be listening to the alarm all day. The station operators are supposed to take the pumps served by that tank offline until the service company comes and pumps out the water at the bottom of the tank.
The old tanks were made of steel and the bottom of the tanks would rust out causing groundwater contamination, and that is why all steel tanks were replaced with double-walled fiberglass tanks. Diesel and fuel oil are usually transported by tanker ships and that is when the moisture is introduced into the fuel.
Most station operators are ethical enough to compensate a customer like yourself who gets contaminated fuel. If you got that contaminated fuel in your diesel truck it could be very costly to have the fuel system cleaned. I would at least go back to the station and advise them of the contamination. Most likely they have had the water removed by now, but they might give you 5 gallons of clean fuel without charge.
The old tanks were made of steel and the bottom of the tanks would rust out causing groundwater contamination, and that is why all steel tanks were replaced with double-walled fiberglass tanks. Diesel and fuel oil are usually transported by tanker ships and that is when the moisture is introduced into the fuel.
Most station operators are ethical enough to compensate a customer like yourself who gets contaminated fuel. If you got that contaminated fuel in your diesel truck it could be very costly to have the fuel system cleaned. I would at least go back to the station and advise them of the contamination. Most likely they have had the water removed by now, but they might give you 5 gallons of clean fuel without charge.
BAP
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
For reasons Dusty mentioned above about water in fuel tanks, never get Diesel or Gas at a fuel station when there is a tank truck there dumping fuel into the tanks.
I got bad fuel one time (quite a few years ago now), and never had another issue after not going back to that fuel source anymore. You might want to consider doing the same thing… I now buy my fuel from a high turnover place.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
yeah, know-it-all neighbour got his diesel RAM filled up,great deal from independent... 2 days later truck towed to shop,WHOLE fuel system cleaned out, stuff replaced, KA-CHING !!!
He 'saved' $20 buying watered down diesel, $2500 for the repairs.....
He 'saved' $20 buying watered down diesel, $2500 for the repairs.....
Maybe not a good idea to run too modern of equipment?
Stay a litter older until things catch-up!
Good Luck!
Stay a litter older until things catch-up!
Good Luck!