IU have a 2016 L2501 that has been a great tractor. Lately the tractor runs rough when under load like going up a light slope. I am in CA so have to use the CA Diesel fuel. My local dealer indicated CA diesel may be the cause? I changed the fuel filter out and even flushed the fuel tank out, but the issue persists. Might anyone else have experienced this and have a solution?
L2501 runs rough
- Thread starter Jass
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North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
are you using on-road or off-road diesel? many believe that the difference is only a dye but in many places like CA that is false. On and off road diesel vastly different. but either may be causing problems.
regardless but for sure if using dyed off road diesel I would start with swapping out all filter elements and immediately add a bottle of additive that also has cetane boosters in it. Report back your findings. I would bet this smooths things out. The pig fat being added in CA to dyed diesel can be brutal on low HP diesels.
regardless but for sure if using dyed off road diesel I would start with swapping out all filter elements and immediately add a bottle of additive that also has cetane boosters in it. Report back your findings. I would bet this smooths things out. The pig fat being added in CA to dyed diesel can be brutal on low HP diesels.
The only difference is the dye. They mix it in when delivering the fuel.
I'd try running some Sea-Foam in the fuel to clean the engine out. I'd also add a fuel additive which like Diesel Kleen which will up the fuel Cetane.
Also, run it at least at what 540 PTO when you are using it. I mostly run mine at max RPM. They are detuned, so max RPM shouldn't do much wrong to it.
Also, run it at least at what 540 PTO when you are using it. I mostly run mine at max RPM. They are detuned, so max RPM shouldn't do much wrong to it.
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I use standard diesel from the local fuel stations. I have changed out the fuel filter and I have added Diesel Clean several times, both of which improve the running some, but it still bogs down significantly. Also, the air filter has been changed out and the old one was quite clean prior to changing it. The tractor only has just over 400 hours on it and does not normally smoke, but I think there is some smoke when the engine is all bogged down, I will have to double check that.
Runs With Scissors
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L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
I have no idea what the difference is in regard to CA diesel ; however, in MI the only differences that I am aware of, are the color……. and of course, 60 cents in tax.
I would also suggest making sure the tank is venting properly. If it is building a vacuum, that could cause it to bog.
I would also suggest making sure the tank is venting properly. If it is building a vacuum, that could cause it to bog.
With respect, maybe decades ago and in most jurisdictions but not true around the world and even with different states now.
Maybe this is what your fuel supplier does but doesn't mean the rest of the world or even rest of the USA does.
For example the OP is from California. California off road diesel is what the call renewable diesel and dyed red. On road diesel is bio-diesel and is not dyed. Two vastly different monsters.
Bio-diesel is a mix of petroleum diesel mixed with animal fats, plant oils, restaurant used fats, etc.... (made to ASTM D6751 std's)
Renewable diesel (dyed off road diesel) is a completely different monster. (made to ASTM D975 stds)
they are completely different monsters, have different shelf lives and management characteristics.
this is how the university of Illinois explains the difference between on road and dyed off road diesel in California.
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel: What’s the Difference? - farmdoc daily
Maria Gerveni, Todd Hubbs, and Scott Irwin - Scott Irwin -
farmdocdaily.illinois.edu
we as farmers are getting close to the same quality of diesel made decade ago a big reason is due to:
- farmers often store diesel longer than a month or two
- we want and need a much less corrosive fuel.
- we like fuels with higher cetane levels
- we want and need a fuel that doesn't grow bacteria, fungus, yeast (what i call diesel mushrooms)
bio diesel does not store as long, often has lower cetane numbers, is more corrosive, and feeds the "nasties" way more than the dyed off road diesel in CA and many other areas.
So in California for example dyed off road diesel (renewable diesel) is vastly superior to regular on road diesel IMHO.
Anyways.... old days I agree they were the same but today that is not the case. It's important to know what we feed your diesels as it impacts how you treat the fuel and the maintenance of the equipment using it.
edit: added a chart
Last edited:
I completely understand that there is a difference between Biodiesel and Renewable diesel.With respect, maybe decades ago and in most jurisdictions but not true around the world and even with different states now.
Maybe this is what your fuel supplier does but doesn't mean the rest of the world or even rest of the USA does.
For example the OP is from California. California off road diesel is what the call renewable diesel and dyed red. On road diesel is bio-diesel and is not dyed. Two vastly different monsters.
Bio-diesel is a mix of petroleum diesel mixed with animal fats, plant oils, restaurant used fats, etc.... (made to ASTM D6751 std's)
Renewable diesel (dyed off road diesel) is a completely different monster. (made to ASTM D975 stds)
they are completely different monsters, have different shelf lives and management characteristics.
this is how the university of Illinois explains the difference between on road and dyed off road diesel in California.
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel: What’s the Difference? - farmdoc daily
Maria Gerveni, Todd Hubbs, and Scott Irwin - Scott Irwin -farmdocdaily.illinois.edu
we as farmers are getting close to the same quality of diesel made decade ago a big reason is due to:
- farmers often store diesel longer than a month or two
- we want and need a much less corrosive fuel.
- we like fuels with higher cetane levels
- we want and need a fuel that doesn't grow bacteria, fungus, yeast (what i call diesel mushrooms)
bio diesel does not store as long, often has lower cetane numbers, is more corrosive, and feeds the "nasties" way more than the dyed off road diesel in CA and many other areas.
So in California for example dyed off road diesel (renewable diesel) is vastly superior to regular on road diesel IMHO.
Anyways.... old days I agree they were the same but today that is not the case. It's important to know what we feed your diesels as it impacts how you treat the fuel and the maintenance of the equipment using it.
edit: added a chart
View attachment 165412
I’m just saying that I delivered a lot of diesel in California before I hit the eject button and left, and I assure you that whatever is coming out the green handle at the pump at a particular station is 99.99% of the time the exact same product coming out of the red handle minus the dye.