I have a BX23 that was in storage for 4 to 5 years. It ran fine for a short period of time after removing it from storage, maybe 30 minutes, but then started to run rough and eventually shut down. I was told that it likely had bacteria buildup in the fuel which was clogging the fuel line and/or tank. I had the dealer do some basic cleaning, flush the system, and treat it with biocide, and it ran fine again for a period of time, maybe 20-30 minutes, and then started to run rough again. From what I’m seeing online, I may be dealing with the dead bacteria now. Is there anyway to clean the tank without removing it? With the odd shape of the tank, I’m just not sure how I could possibly clean it. If it’s clogging at the fuel outlet, is there anything that I could damage by sticking a small wire in to dislodge things?
BX23 with bacteria clogged fuel tank
- Thread starter bigfish322
- Start date
I .... kept replacing the filter, finally running a external larger one and keep changing. Fuel treated with biocide.
Sounds like your dealer did not really clean the tank.
Clearing the fuel tank,bung, taking off the fuel line and dislodge what ever is there but expect the fuel to gush out until it clogs again,
An access port can be added so the tank does not have to come off, just the pan removed.
Sounds like your dealer did not really clean the tank.
Clearing the fuel tank,bung, taking off the fuel line and dislodge what ever is there but expect the fuel to gush out until it clogs again,
An access port can be added so the tank does not have to come off, just the pan removed.
whitetiger
Moderator
Staff member
Equipment
Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
You'll save a LOT of time if you remove the tank and properly clean it out. Had a sliver of plastic wedge itself in the exit spigot of the fuel tank on my 1 year old BS23S. Didn't KNOW that at the time, just kinda stalling, low power, limp mode. bit the bullet ,removed the tank. There is NO way a camera would have seen the sliver and NO way to remove it, while tank in the tractor. Dealer said it was a '4 hour' job,so I split it up over 2-3 days. Seat assy was HEAVY an the fender pan AWKWARD for a nearly 70 year old by himself ,but I did it. That was 7 years and 1350+ hrs ago.The only way you CAN be 100% sure you get the tank spotless will be to pull it off. The problem with 'bacteria' is that it coats the entire inside of the tank,so HOW can you clean it ? EASY when off. you can power wash it, turn it sideways, upside down, LOOK inside through the fuel sender hole, etc. Just be sure it's 100% dry !
Runs With Scissors
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L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
I think @GreensvilleJay has it right.
However, That access port looks like a cool idea.
Some of the aircraft I used to work on had/have access ports that look like that and they work well.
One thing though, I would first see if you can order an “extra gasket” (or 2
) to hang on the wall…….just in case you need one in 3 years and you find out that the company has gone “tits up”…...
Good luck sir!!!
However, That access port looks like a cool idea.
Some of the aircraft I used to work on had/have access ports that look like that and they work well.
One thing though, I would first see if you can order an “extra gasket” (or 2
) to hang on the wall…….just in case you need one in 3 years and you find out that the company has gone “tits up”…...Good luck sir!!!
Once "clean" I'd also give it a good "rinse" with good ol' gasoline ... That also will kill of the little microbes ... For some reason they like diesel, but not gasoline ... Rinse again with diesel if you want, but I'd rather take the time to remove the tank, than cut a hole in it!
If you already had a leak in the tank, I'd probably take the chance with the hole kit ... But no way would I chop a hole in a good tank!
If you already had a leak in the tank, I'd probably take the chance with the hole kit ... But no way would I chop a hole in a good tank!
Had same problem on my bx2370. There are a couple of videos on youtube that do the access port in the tank. I did not want to pull the tank as it looked to be a real PIA. So I did the port deal. It made accessing the tank easy, and I guess much easier than trying to access through the filler neck. The tank is not exactly flat on the inside, so having the access port on top of the tank allows the nooks and cranies to be cleaned. I also had read that the sender unit tends to rust, adding more garbage into the tank.
Shop Vac. Use one you can dispose of or store somewhere you can stand the smell because it will wreak of diesel for months after.
OK, pulling the tank on my BX23S ( very similar) was not a PITA, besides you have to remove the fender pan to cut hole in tank for the 'access' panel,so you're 99.44% to pulling the tank ! it took me a morning, one guy, 2 hands, to remove ROPS, seat(heavy),fender pan, then tank.yeah some wires and fuel lines to deal with but nothing that was a 'PITA'. OK, getting the seat back on was( hay I was 68 at the time, missing L3-L5 ) but anyone in better health or has a helper , it's not that hard of a job. My problem was a sliver of plastic in the spigot, 'slime' would be a nightmare to clean without removing the tank,as there's lost of surfaces it can cling to .Have 1200-1400 hours since the 'great tank pull', zero issues.Also have Mason jar filter in the inlet now !
I guess the bx 2370 and the bx 23s must be different, because all I had to do was tip the seat forward and start cutting, no removing anything!
hmm ,just went and checked....only have access to the center section of the tank, not the left side where the fuel sender is, so have to pull the tin to replace the sender.....
Initially after finding the problem, yes. At that point it had just been taken out of storage. It got new fuel, biocide, and fuel filters. Used the tractor for a bit and it started losing power and running rough. From what I read, even once the bacteria is killed, the biofilm or microbial sludge still remains and can continue clogging up the works. Obviously, from reading all of the responses the only proper way to deal with this is to remove the tank and steam clean it. I may try replacing the filters again… even a few times to see if I can clear it up, but I don’t have much hope. I appreciate all of the feedback.