BX25D has a clogged nose (fuel filter)!!!

[William1]

My little guy ('Wally') has been working a lot the last two weeks, moving dirt. Today, I noticed him running a little funny. Then suddenly, not holding high rpm. Uh-Oh!!! Misfiring, near stalling, stalling....
Fortunately, the dirt pile is almost next to the shop so I nursed the little guy in. Made it!
I'd changed the fuel filters a few years ago, the one near the tank had been black and crusty with microbes. The one between the pump and injector block, clean. I treat my fuel with a strong dose of anti-Microbe, generally keep it full to the brim but for ten years, it lived in a tent and the condensation was awful. The tank should really be flushed....
So....I immediately suspected the filter. The plate that covers that back filter, was not coming off. Those bolts were permanent! Ok.... I'd changed the filter before with it on.
Small vise grips on the fuel lines on either side of the filter, 10mm socket on an extension to remove the filter mount. Pliers to move the hose clamps, then gentle twisting and pulling and the filter was out. Black!!!! Reversed procedure, new filter in. Got about 12 drops of diesel on me, not bad.
Checked the filter after the fuel pump, looked good so I did not change it.
20 minutes.
Fired it up, ran like a champ!
Clogged nose all better.

 

[John T]

I relocated the rear filter and the pump to the left front frame rail. Now both fuel filters are easily accessible when you pop the hood.

 

[Mmanders6]

I relocated the rear filter and the pump to the left front frame rail. Now both fuel filters are easily accessible when you pop the hood.

I just finished doing the same on my BX. I've been having issues with the fuel line/filter clogging up at least once a year. I always use clean fuel and have a mesh strainer in the filler neck, but it still plugs up. My theory is that some part of the fuel level sending unit is rusting or flaking paint into the tank. At least now I can quickly disconnect and blow the line out without having to remove the mower deck.
I also cut a hole in the top of the tank and installed a clean out port from Boyd welding so I can get my hand in there and wipe up any debris. Hopefully these mods will solve the problem. It's been a pain in my ass.

 

[William1]

I'd thought about relocating but... once every five years, not worth the trouble. I think I had a condensation issue ten years back, (stored more or less exposed to the elements and the tractor would be soaked with condensation) and I've killed all the microbes, just taking time to get the dead bodies out of the tank.

 

[John T]

I also cut a hole in the top of the tank and installed a clean out port from Boyd welding so I can get my hand in there and wipe up any debris.

Interesting. But don't you have to remove the rear fender(s) to access the top of the tank?

 

[Mmanders6]

Interesting. But don't you have to remove the rear fender(s) to access the top of the tank?

I just tilted the seat up and put the hole there. There's a flat section there right above the outlet fitting.

 

[William1]

Ran for five hours today, flawless. Got a lot of dirt to move over the next month or so, I'll be curious if more dead microbes end up in the filter. Today, the tank was run down 75%, hopefully it moved the dead critters to the filter, I'll ceck in a day or so to see if the filter is black.