my tractor was running badly, missing like it was starving for fuel. i looked in the fuel tank, down but not empty. i refueled the tractor, topped it off. i had a 6 gallon fuel can almost full. when i was done fueling the fuel can was still about 1/2 full...... probably put 2.5-3 gallons in the tank. the tractor runs as it should again. how do we explain this? i know the tractor is supposed to have a fuel capacity of 6.6 gallons, if it really truly was running out it should have swallowed the entire can and wouldn't be completely full. what gives?
running out of fuel NOT empty
- Thread starter ad356
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RCW
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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
There are several fuel-delivery issues possible.
Different Kubota tractor models are prone to different problems.
I would start by asking what model tractor?
Different Kubota tractor models are prone to different problems.
I would start by asking what model tractor?
North Idaho Wolfman
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Diesel engines are not like gasoline engines, if you ran it low enough to suck air it just flat dies, it normally won't stumble or cut out.
It probably has a restriction like something in the tank possibly algae.
Or possibly it has one or both of the fuel filters clogged.
How many hours are on it and when was the last time the filters were changed?
It probably has a restriction like something in the tank possibly algae.
Or possibly it has one or both of the fuel filters clogged.
How many hours are on it and when was the last time the filters were changed?
i changed all fluids and filters except the fuel filters. i planned on doing the fuel filters at the end of the mowing season before winter. i find it strange that the problem went completely away after i refueled the tractor.
I would suspect something plugged the tank outlet and when you filled it it stirred up the fuel in the tank. How long have you ran it since the problem?
Something you may want to check is the vent on the fuel cap. I know that if it seals tightly it can allow a vacuum to be created when the engine is running.
Next time it happens, if it does...remove the cap and see if it makes a difference.
The smallest things can be a big deal with engines.
Fuel, air, combustion all in the right order seems simple.....but easily missed.
Next time it happens, if it does...remove the cap and see if it makes a difference.
The smallest things can be a big deal with engines.
Fuel, air, combustion all in the right order seems simple.....but easily missed.
On many tractors, a lot of fuel can be delivered by gravity to the injection pump when on level ground and high level in the fuel tank.
As the fuel level starts dropping and/or the tractor is climbing a slope, suddenly gravity is not able to deliver the fuel and the pump is needed. Pump not working and you are in trouble.
Look at your fuel systems geometry and decide if this could apply.
Dave
As the fuel level starts dropping and/or the tractor is climbing a slope, suddenly gravity is not able to deliver the fuel and the pump is needed. Pump not working and you are in trouble.
Look at your fuel systems geometry and decide if this could apply.
Dave
ad356,
As a BX2350 owner, I would suggest that you FIRST check to verify that the Fuel pump is running AND delivering fuel to the injector pump. SECOND, VERIFY that the fuel tank vent in the cap is working. If both are working, then you most likely have junk in the tank from a corroded fuel sender unit that is partially blocking the fuel outlet. Adding fuel probably stirred it up enough to work again. (Don't ask me how I know about these things.)
By the way, I love my BX, and wwouldn't trade for anything else. Best of luck finding and fixing your problem.
Dave
Does your tractor have an electric "lift pump" which moves the fuel from the tank to the engine?
If this "lift pump" fails, it may run with a full tank... but as the tank gets low, the engine is not able to suck fuel uphill.
It is usually pretty easy to verify if the "lift pump" is working.... turn key to ON but do not start engine.... the "lift pump" should be making noise as it runs.
If this "lift pump" fails, it may run with a full tank... but as the tank gets low, the engine is not able to suck fuel uphill.
It is usually pretty easy to verify if the "lift pump" is working.... turn key to ON but do not start engine.... the "lift pump" should be making noise as it runs.
key on, engine off you can hear a fast ticking sound. im guessing that's the lift pump? how do you verify proper operation? its not like a car where you can check fuel pressure at the fuel rail. im guessing run the tractor down until it runs badly, disconnect fuel line and see what the flow looks like?
May be talking out of turn as I am new to the Kubota world. Both my Fords have a screen in the fuel tank sticking above the fuel outlet. If junk clogs the lower part of the screen it will run out of fuel before the tank is empty.
Take the hose off at the engine and put it in a fuel can.
Turn on but not start.
Like bleeding the lines.
It should pump out quite a bit.
Ray
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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
ad - plan on replacing both fuel filters.
Start with the one nearest the tank. It's between tank and lift pump.
When you pull the fuel line off the inlet side of that first filter, let the fuel run out to see if there's a good stream out of the tank.
If there's not, you know you have a possible tank issue.
If flows good, proceed to replace both filters.
If that doesn't fix it, come back to look at electric lift pump. That can be checked by turning the key with fuel line off inlet side of front filter to see if there are low pressure pulses of fuel coming out.
Edit:... Ray has another way to get there also, which is fine. I just figured I'd start with filters. Either way is good.
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Start with the one nearest the tank. It's between tank and lift pump.
When you pull the fuel line off the inlet side of that first filter, let the fuel run out to see if there's a good stream out of the tank.
If there's not, you know you have a possible tank issue.
If flows good, proceed to replace both filters.
If that doesn't fix it, come back to look at electric lift pump. That can be checked by turning the key with fuel line off inlet side of front filter to see if there are low pressure pulses of fuel coming out.
Edit:... Ray has another way to get there also, which is fine. I just figured I'd start with filters. Either way is good.
Sent from my QTASUN1 using Tapatalk
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