BX2370 power loss after fuel filter replacement

David789

New member

Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
I replaced both fuel filters, the tractor starts and runs smoothly up to full speed. Once the mower deck is on it loses power sputters and black smoke out the exhaust, same if applying the brake while moving. I have turned the key on several times, fuel pump runs, left the key on and opened the bleeder valve on the fuel injector pump, no change. Fresh diesel fuel in tank.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Was it fine and dandy before the filter change?
And are you 100% sure you fuel up with only diesel and not gasoline, you'll smell it in the tank.
 

David789

New member

Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
I was mowing my lawn (4 acres) and half way through it started sputtering. So I replaced the fuel filters, the tractor has about 250 hrs on it. When I cracked open the bleed valve on the injector pump with the key on so the fuel pump was running fuel dripped out, I expected more pressure to be there.

The fuel in the tank is less than 2 weeks old, I buy my fuel at a station that sells a lot of diesel so I don't think that is the issue. I am certian it is diesel, not gasoline.
 

skeets

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BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,549
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SW Pa
OK lets start at the back end, the filter right off the tank. I know it is a PIA but remove the MMM again, yeah I know,,, And pull the filter off the line coming from the tank and see if you have a full hose flow. OK then plug inthe filter, there is a right and wrong way so what that. If you have good flow through the filter hook it back inthe line, and to to your front filter, disconnect the fuel line for it,, and turn on your switch, dont try to start just till the fuel pump kicks on and check the flow and then again replacing the filter and check the flow. At that point your lift pump is delivering fuel to the pressure pump.
NOW if the flow from the tank just dribbles you have something blocking the outlet, and that might be grass leaves JUNE BUGS ( dont ask). I hope any of this helps
 
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David789

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Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
When I changed the filter off t fuel tank my clamp came off the hose, full flow through the hose, my garage floor shows it.

I am thinking about dropping the mower deck and checking for a pinched hose but I don't think that is likely.

I take your suggestions and check the flow into the injector pump. I have my project for tomorrow.
Thanks for your input
 

GreensvilleJay

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You may have a 'semifloater' in the tank. Same tank as my BX23S ( similar tractor... ) . In my case a sliver of plastic eventually got lodged in the outlet spigot after an hour or two of runs great, not good, OK, ,miserable. Took tank out, super cleaned it, reinstalled AND added a 'sink strainer' to the filler neck of the tank. ZERO problems since them , close to 800+hrs now.

If it doesn't run nice now, check flow at the tank....

If plugged or low flow, remove tank. Kubota says it's 3 hours of shop time. Not all that hard, 2nd pair of hands helps with fender pan and seat though !
 

David789

New member

Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
I started this morning checking the fuel flow out of the filter underneath into the fuel pump, hose flowed full. Next I checked the flow into the injector pump with the key on, full flow there as well. Tractor starts and runs smooth but still stumbles when under load. I believe or am starting to belive I have a bad 5 gallons of fuel.

I only buy 5 gallons at a time since I can mow my lawn twice with that. When I fill the tank I use a funnel with a veryy fine screen in the neck s0 I don't think I have debris in the tank.
 

David789

New member

Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
Just tried again, tractor starts and runs smooth, engage mower deck no issue with loss of power with the mower engaged for several minutes. Disengage the mower and then start moving forward, engine sputters but seemed there is some improvement.
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
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David - did you bleed the fuel system according to the instructions in your owners manual?

Not sure there is a bleeder valve on the injection pump of a BX2370??? Don’t recall one…..what did you turn on the IP? Can you post a picture of it?

I have a little older BX2360, and all you do is turn the key on for 20-30 seconds to activate the lift pump. Then shut off and start as usual. Never had any issues.

I could be off-base, but don’t think bleeding procedure changed between models. I might be wrong.

Good that it’s improving, but there are parts of the IP that you shouldn’t tinker with. If you do, it can create the exact issues you’re facing. Only fix is to pull the IP and have it rebuilt.
 
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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
I replaced both fuel filters, the tractor starts and runs smoothly up to full speed. Once the mower deck is on it loses power sputters and black smoke out the exhaust, same if applying the brake while moving. I have turned the key on several times, fuel pump runs, left the key on and opened the bleeder valve on the fuel injector pump, no change. Fresh diesel fuel in tank.
Have you tried removing the filter and re-seating it?
Could it be pulling in air around the filter gasket?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Sounds more like you've lost or clogged an injector.
Or like I said before you have contaminated fuel.
 

FattyArbuckle

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May 28, 2023
17
9
3
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
I replaced both fuel filters. . .
Once the mower deck is on it loses power sputters and black smoke out the exhaust...
So I don't want to send you down a wrong path, and I need to say most of my experience is with gasoline engines, but if it's putting out black smoke I would think that means too much fuel. Did you do any other servicing where you could have created periodic closing of the air intake like the filter or the pipe?
 

DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
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North East CT
Check the air filter, and also check the fuel filter to see if it has an arrow on it to indicate direction. It is going to be something that is simple in the end, but finding it isn't going to be simple unless you attack the problem systematically starting at the tank and working forward. It might be a crack in a fuel delivery hose that is sucking air.
 

David789

New member

Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
I appreciate all of your suggestions, after changing the filters again and siphoning the tank dry, and fresh fuel with no change. I replaced the fuel pump this morning, that solved the problem.
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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Chenango County, NY
David - - you got a good full fuel flow from the tank on a couple occasions...did fuel filters look black or dark colored? I don't think you have a fuel delivery issue.

I asked in Post #10 earlier about this and didn't get an answer:

I replaced both fuel filters, the tractor starts and runs smoothly up to full speed. Once the mower deck is on it loses power sputters and black smoke out the exhaust, same if applying the brake while moving. I have turned the key on several times, fuel pump runs, left the key on and opened the bleeder valve on the fuel injector pump, no change. Fresh diesel fuel in tank.
I don't think the IP on a BX2370 has a bleeder valve (many other model tractors do).

What did you turn?

Some parts may not be an issue, but others might cause some problems like you have.

Screenshot 2023-08-29 172906.png


This is just the IP and doesn't show the fuel lines to the injectors. There is no bleeder valve on the parts diagram. Looks very much like my BX2360.

Can you post a picture of what you turned to bleed the system?

Was it the fuel line connection(s) at the IP, or was it at the top of the fuel line at the injectors?

If you don't have them, parts diagrams can be had here:

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Illustrated Parts List (kubotausa.com)

More important - looks like the Service Manual (WSM) can be found here:

Kubotabooks.com

Not being a hardass - -just trying to help you get it going again. ;)
 
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GreensvilleJay

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Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,380
4,892
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
FWIW....
Normal startup after changing filters and /or lift pump is.
Turn key ON for 30 seconds
Turn key OFF for 30 seconds
Turn key to gloplugs for 5 steamboats, then turn to start.
That procedure has always worked for me.

Have you change the air filter ?

Does it still fail ,if fuel cap is off ?

Might want to 'recap' and post what's been done and the running problem.... just to get everybody on the same sheet.
 
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David789

New member

Equipment
BX2370
Aug 19, 2023
16
6
3
NY
I have attached a photo of the screw I was told to open to bleed the line. After talking to a different service person I don't think it is necessary because the excess fuel returns to the tank. He told me the lift pump runs continiously and provides 5 PSI to the injector pump and that disconnecting the fuel line at the injector pump with the key on fuel should suirt about 5 inches out of the hose. Fuel comes out about 2-3 inches, not a strong stream.

Recapping, I have good flow out of the tank, I have replaced both fuel filters, installed a new fuel pump, which probably not needed. The tractor starts, idles, runs at full throttle fine with no load. Mower engaged at 2500 RPMS sitting stationary the RPM will drop 100 or 200 then recover after several minutes drop to 500 or 700 then back to 2500. I have checked the fuel shutoff solenoid and it isn't sticking. All this leads me to believe I still have a fuel delivery problem. However with the tractor running smoothly and stationary, sometimes pushing the brake pedal for a few minutes will cause rpm drop or stalling. I have checked the fuel lines for any place they could be pinched and found nothing.

I was able to start mowing my lawn after about 200 yard the tractor stalled, limped it back to the garge and have been looking since. I might have to give up and have the dealer pick it up and take it to the shop.
 

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