BX2230 slow to start

gssz said:

Looked at the fuel lines in the parts manual and WOW! That little contraption under the tractor is a baby fuel tank with 5 tentacles. It is item #100 in the attached picture. The big fuel tank has 4 lines going into it. Would all these lines need to be replaced to rule out an air leak in the fuel system? If yes, I may just settle for starting the tractor in 10 seconds as long as I can start it in cold weather

I don't see any actual fuel leaking anywhere and once the tractor starts, it runs well at any RPM. I have run it for about 3 hours in the month I have owned it without doing any work.

OR... I might trade it in for a new 2501 HST with a loader since I definitely got the tractor bug.

Click to expand...

Air goes where fuel won't. We run into this all the time at work, so much so that we often test with air instead of doing hydrostatic testing. And, I've used helium with a detector, or N2 with H2 tracer gas and detector to test for leaks as well.

So, you might not see a fuel leak, but air may be getting into the system.

Again, if it were me, I'd start replacing fuel lines that are subject to heat and being disturbed. So, I would replace from the injector pump back to the filters, and then from the filters back to the fuel pump. My logic is that stuff that's not disturbed or subject to heat are often stuck to the barb, and need a good twist to break them loose to remove. This indicates that the joint is sealed as long as I don't disturb it.

If this doesn't solve the problem, then it might be time to assess and decide if going further is worth the effort. I would probably take a look at the injectors. If the tractor sat for long periods, they might need a good cleaning. If you have a diesel shop close, it might be worth pulling the injectors and taking them to be cleaned.

Personally, I'd probably work on it until it starts to my satisfaction. I guess I may be a little OCD or something.

I'm familiar with that style clamp (use them on PEX) but have nver used them on fuel lines. I suppose they would be fine for the fixed ends, but I would want something removable and reusable for the filters.

I wouldn't have guessed that the fuel lines would be that expensive....

As far as additives, I don't know much about them. I suppose they work for their intended purposes but have never tested. Used as directed, I can't imagine the small quantities would hurt the engine. I do use both gasoline and diesel additives for fuel that's going to be sitting, but that's more of a "feel good" for me.

Honestly, it sounds like your lift pump is working, you're changing fuel lines, you've changed filters, checked compression, checked the air side, checked the glow plugs, and feel the injectors are good. There's really not much easy stuff left.

gssz said:

I removed the relay and the tractor starts up right away every time.

Click to expand...

gssz - just a couple observations:

1. WOO HOO!!! I'm so friggin' glad you found the apparent gremlin!

2. You think you know a little more about this machine than you did a few weeks ago?!?!? You've thrown some parts at it, sure, but you've also learned some very important things about your tractor that you know you will not have to worry about in the near future (i.e., compression is very good, glow plugs, etc.).
The things you've learned will be with you forever...and very powerful on many levels; whether the tractor, or better yet, the owner.

3. You've learned the value of OTT. Couple the really smart guys on OTT with your "I can do this" attitude, and great things can happen.

4. And PS - - - I and a lot of other people learned a lot from you!

gssz - Very much appreciate the update.

I can't count how many times I've thought a problem was going to be difficult to repair or very expensive, and turned out to be something simple.

So, for me, it always makes sense to rule out the easy, cheap stuff first.

Anyway, glad you got it fixed!

gssz said:

I probably contributed a bit in the "what not to do" category

Click to expand...

Hey - that's all part of the learning part, and I certainly don't mean that as a criticism.

I was chasing a gremlin with my pellet stove this fall...I also have a couple parts on hand for future use. I ordered them just in case.....

gssz said:

Confirming again... after a few dozen starts over a couple of weeks the tractor starts right up. The key cylinder was a little sloppy so I replaced that too, but the relay was the main culprit.

Thanks for all the help!

Click to expand...

What was the relay part number, and where is it located? My BX2230 has a similar problem where the fuel pump slows noticeably when I hit the glow plug preheat. But mine just won’t turn over.