This is my first post - I’m new. I’ve searched the site for anything about the problem I’m having, but I can’t find anything. I have a 2015 BX 2360. I live in upstate NY, so it’s cold. I’ve always started the tractor with the throttle at minimum, kept the glow plugs on for 5-20 seconds depending on how cold it is. It always started right up. This year, it got cold before I got all of the summer fuel worked out of it and it gelled up. During a warm spell I got new winterized fuel in it and it worked fine - almost. Now when I start it in cold weather - it starts right up, but it goes up to 4000 rpm immediately with a big black cloud. I shut it right down and then restart it. It may repeat the 4000 rpm surge, or it may start hard and then run normally. I know that this surge is bad, and I want to prevent it. So any help you can offer would be very appreciated.
Engine racing when started
- Thread starter Collins 3
- Start date
This problem is caused by condensation in the oil freezing in the fuel rack in the injection pump causing it to stick. Kubota recommends making sure you are getting the engine up to operating temp ( may require covering the radiator) changing the engine oil more often and they also recommend using synthetic oil in cold weather. You may also have to work it harder. They haven't recommended any oil additives but there probably are some that would help. I have seen this a couple of times and when I removed the injection pump I found small droplets of water in the oil on the fuel rack. I blew them all out with air and the problem didn't recur. There was no evidence of water in the oil but there might have been on the inside of the valve cover had I removed it to look.
coachgeo
Well-known member
Equipment
L225 w/woods Few Mowers & Back Blade, D722 in Motorcycle (Triumph Tiger), LMTV
got to agree... your original fuel got some water in it..... winter fuel blended with it is not strong enough blend to deal with it. Try some winter anti gell fuel additive to see if that will separate out the water in the fuel small enough for the fuel system to be happy with it.
As previous poster said..... maybe there is a smidgen water in the oil too freezing.
Course all of that will be solved by adding a block heater. Better overall for the the engine anyway.
As previous poster said..... maybe there is a smidgen water in the oil too freezing.
Course all of that will be solved by adding a block heater. Better overall for the the engine anyway.
The problem is condensation in the oil, not the fuel. There is a Kubota tech tip on this exact condition
A block heater certainly helps but it might need to be on longer and even cover the engine somewhat to get enough heat to the injection pump area to melt any condensation there.
Thank you for the fast response. Makes a lot of sense. It seemed like something was sticking. I've only ever used synthetic oil, but it has been a year (80 operating hours) since I changed it. If I'm understanding the recommendation to run it harder, that's to drive the water out of the oil? Do you think changing the oil now will help? I don't have power where I park it, so a block heater is not in the picture right now. Thanks again.
Daren Todd
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
Running the engine harder helps keep the operating temperature up on the engine which will boil off any condensation.
If the tractor is having a hard time reaching operating temperature, you can partially block the radiator to cut down on the airflow through the radiator, which will increase operating temperature.
If the tractor is having a hard time reaching operating temperature, you can partially block the radiator to cut down on the airflow through the radiator, which will increase operating temperature.