One for the Wall of Shame

[pigdoc]

Hi guys,

Hadn't run the L2500 for months, so I was getting it ready for tomorrow's predicted 6 inches. Charged the battery, it started right up, ran for a few seconds, then quit. Tried a couple more times, same result. Figured it was the fuel filter.

Picked up a new fuel filter this morning, a Carquest 86390, made by Baldwin filters. (Cross-references to a WIX 33390) Spun the old filter off, and there was no leakage - line from the tank was clogged...with ice. Looked inside the old filter, it's about 90% full with a block of ice.

I've owned this tractor for more than 2 years and haven't once looked at the fuel system before now. Shame, shame, shame...

I filled a 2-quart hand pump sprayer up with the hottest water I could get from the house tap and started irrigating. Pretty soon, I had a dribble of fuel at the filter connection. Spun on the new filter. Took the 1/8" rubber vent line off the injector pump and opened that air bleed valve. Let 'er run until I got a nice stream of clean fuel (no bubbles). Then, cracked the injector lines up top, and started cranking. Lots of cranking, lots of air bubbles. Finally got a weak stream with no air bubbles from #3, so I tightened them all down, and cranked her up. After she worked out all of the residual air, she settled down and ran smoothly. Ran it for about a half-hour to get things all warmed up and moving again.

When I get a nice day for some (outdoor) shop time, I'll change the fuel filter again, because it probably has more water in it again. And the rubber lines are hard as can be. I was afraid to touch them for fear of cracking them. All need replacing. Not sure yet where the water is getting in, but it could all be accumulated condensation as the tank level was low.

I'm just amazed that the tractor ran at all (before) with all that water in the filter.

That's what I get for leaving it outside, uncovered.
Shame, shame, shame...

-Paul

 

[Shawn T. W]

Water, or gelled fuel?

 

[pigdoc]

Water, or gelled fuel?

Oh, it was water. Inside of the filter looked like the top of an ice cube. And, after I started irrigating with hot water, my catch bucket had a nice layer of water from the fuel line laying on the bottom of it, fuel floating on top.

It only took about a quart of hot water, streamed on the bottom of the fuel tank and its outlet nipple to start to break things loose. Little chunks of ice falling out of the filter adapter...

-P

 

[pigdoc]

Oh, and I haven't noticed an issue with diesel fuel gelling in this area until it gets below 10F. It was in the mid- to upper 20s today.

[Been driving a Cummins diesel for 20 years.]

-P

 

[GreensvilleJay]

1st, HAPPY you got her up and running so easily !
2ND, I'd TOTALLY drain the fuel tank, flush,rinse, fill with FRESH fuel

this time you 'dodged the bullet'.... but next time ???

 

[D2Cat]

Paul, I have a friend who would take a fuel filter like you removed and put it in his shop near the stove (in the winter) and let the moisture evaporate, then reuse it. I n the summer he would just let it set out for couple of weeks. He never had trouble doing that, but I always teased him "he's tighter then bark on a tree!"

 

[Shawn T. W]

I always keep a spare of every filter on hand ...

 

[DustyRusty]

I have spare filters, just don't have the motivation to change them in freezing weather. If the tractor doesn't start, then I will default to G-d putting the snow there, he (she) can take it away. That is I why my cars are all 4-wheel drive.

 

[fried1765]

I have spare filters, just don't have the motivation to change them in freezing weather. If the tractor doesn't start, then I will default to G-d putting the snow there, he (she) can take it away. That is I why my cars are all 4-wheel drive.

My dad had the same snow removal theory, but we lived only 300 yards from the salt water,

 

[Bee-Positive]

Been using the limited two car garage space for cutting tile for the new back splash. One wall done just before Christmas and the second wall this past week. So the BX has been outside uncovered, no snow lately so I haven’t needed it.

Got a 3 or 4 inched of snow so I thought I’d clear it before it froze into ruts with the “Artic Chill”.

Sure enough the tractor started, spit and sputtered, and died.

Dementia typically involves problems with memory, thinking, behavior, and motor control (4 for 4 according to my wife). I’ll be damned if I didn’t put Howes in with the last fill up – maybe I forgot –getting older by the minute. First time in 6 years it’s ever gelled up.

Five degrees with a five below wind chill and I’m out there putting tarps over the tractor and firing up the kerosene torpedo. Put Diesel 911 and some Howes in – just because – and let it heat up for over an hour. It finally started and got into the garage.

A block heater may have helped the second filter in the engine compartment but the first filter under the seat, not so much. As others have said “Shame on Kubota for putting it there”. Guess what my next mod will be!!!

It’s even colder today with a 5-10 mph wind so a couple of inches of snow can wait, but the BX is running fine now.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Hello Paul,

. Not sure yet where the water is getting in, but it could all be accumulated condensation as the tank level was low.

With every air pressure change air is moving in and out of the tank (or if the tractor is parked in a windy spot). So every time moist air gets into the tank, the water condensating and accumulating at the bottom when it cools down at night. The fuller the tank the less this is happening (less air in the tank). Always fill the tank to the top before longer periods of non-use.

There is quite a bit of water in warm air, if that condensates it can add up to a lot of water over time.

The water wasn't in the filter the last time you ran it, it would have stopped the same way.

Kind regards,
Hugo

 

[pigdoc]

Yes, Hugo, it doesn't surprise me that there was so much water in the tank.

I started her up at dawn last Monday, to clear the 8 inches we got Sunday night into Monday. Ran for a few seconds and died, starved for fuel.

Did my thing with the hot water in the hand sprayer on the fuel line from the tank, and after spraying a quart of hot water, she started up and ran fine for the duration of the job.

And WHAT a job she did! The slope on my driveway is about 6%, which doesn't sound like a lot, until you're trying to scrape snow uphill with a rear blade. BUT, with the new (and ballasted) tires, it was easy-peazy. Zero tire slippage in the rears, but the front diff was trading torque back and forth from R to L... I had no indication that I needed tire chains...which is good news to me.

One pass down, and another back up, and I was done! Even wifey commented on how quickly I got that done!

I think what's been happening is that condensation settles into the tank outlet between uses, where it freezes.

I'm picking up a stash of Baldwin fuel filters for the tractor tomorrow, along with enough new hose to replace everything between the tank and the injection pump. It's all pretty crumbley. Thinking about putting a three-way shut-off valve between the tank and the filter, so that I can drain the water off to the side before attempting to start up the tractor. [My old Farmall Cub has a sediment bowl!] There is probably a Baldwin replacement filter that has a drain on the bottom too...

The shut-off valve will be a handy way to purge any liquid condensation that settles out. I'd shut the valve when I park the tractor after use. Then, when I want to use the tractor, I can open the valve to let the water out before attempting to start. If I get nothing, I'll know to deal with the (frozen) water before attempting a start.

-P

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Yes, the water settles at the lowest point, it is heavier than Diesel.

A dealer sold me a Diesel filter for a van years ago that had a drain valve for the water. This was mounted hanging. I searched on the internet and there are Diesel / water separators (see picture). That maybe something to put in front of the fuel filter.

Or simply fill the tank to the top when you do not use the tractor for a longer period of time.