fuel gelling? kubota ZD21 diesel

[IC Smoke]

Ive got a ZD 21 Kubota (diesel) and its been sitting in the garage/barn (non heated) and while cleaning up a bit I decided to turn it over and move it. Well it started up and shook pretty good then ran fine, I walked up to the heated garage to get some more truck parts to put away and I came back and it stalled as I walked in... So I tried to turn it over again and nothing! It acts like it wants to start but isnt firing or something!

our Kubota B2400 (diesel) has been sitting not quite as long but even if it does sit for quite awhile it usually fires up and spudders a little then runs fine (as any cold diesel would do)



But my question is do you guys think the fuel could have gelled? Im thinking about turning the salamanders loose and heating up the non-heated garage and see if it will fire. Or do I have to pull the fuel filter and do some other things? Ive not had a diesel gel on me.



Thanks

Ian

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Is it THAT cold there?? If it's inside I wouldn't think it would gel unless it was pretty cold. How cold are you talking?

 

[IC Smoke]

ah its in the shade all day (pine trees) so im guessin around 15 or so the past few days, a plastic tank that sits inside has gelled up I think, well Its heavy with fuel yet not a whole lot comes outa the filler & the filter is clean.



Ian



*edit* 15* during the day and 0* at nights

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Thanks for the reminder why I don't spend winters in Michigan

You could thaw your tracktor out up here, it's been in the mid 70s this week.



I don't know whether or not you would have to replace the fuel filter once the fuel has gelled. Might try putting a dose of Power Service 9-1-1 in it or whatever it's called and see if that works.

Vaughn

 

[DDT]

I would offer to bet some bad/old fuel is your problem. In a heated shed there should not be any gelling problems. Let me know when you figure it out.

 

[IC Smoke]

Thanks guys, I put some Howes in it then put the salamander swords the fuel filter/ inj pump side and let it go for about 3 hrs, came back tried to start it and at first it acted like it was going to do the same crap again (not fire) well she finally took off! whew! so off I went up and down the road at 1230 AM. It didnt miss or sound funny at all... I dont know what the deal was?!?!



by now Im sure the new neighbors hate us. Ive already gotten a call about the truck being "extremely loud" at 2 am... . they can move somewhere else!!!!





Michigan weather isnt that bad just wait a few min and it will change!!! ahha sunday it was mid 40s monday low 40's and rain, tuesday 20* and snow! woohoo tomorrow 2-4" of snow



Ian

 

[FATCAT]

Thanks guys, I put some Howes in it then put the salamander swords the fuel filter/ inj pump side and let it go for about 3 hrs, came back tried to start it and at first it acted like it was going to do the same crap again (not fire) well she finally took off! whew! so off I went up and down the road at 1230 AM. It didnt miss or sound funny at all... I dont know what the deal was?!?!



by now Im sure the new neighbors hate us. Ive already gotten a call about the truck being "extremely loud" at 2 am... . they can move somewhere else!!!!





Michigan weather isnt that bad just wait a few min and it will change!!! ahha sunday it was mid 40s monday low 40's and rain, tuesday 20* and snow! woohoo tomorrow 2-4" of snow



Ian

Ian, I had the same problem with my BX23 Kubota this year. The fuel jelled up after sitting for the first long cold spell this winter ... reason was I still had Summer fuel in the tank. I had to put a bucket of hot coals from the wood stove under the engine block for about an hour.

Next thing I did was to stop by my Kubota dealer and pick up a engine block heater (short money for these things) and installed it the next weekend (plus put a bunch of Standyne in the tank).

See if your Kubota dealer has a block heater for your tractor and get it installed ASAP.

 

[IC Smoke]

on the ZD21 the block heater would be a waste of $ since its a mid mount zero turn mower and I was just fiddling with stuff in the garage. But our B2400 sees a good bit of use so the fuel wont gel and its always being started. heck its almost to 3000hrs





Ian