Mapps Gas as a Starting Fluid?

[LowGear]

Well my Kubota BX 2230 wouldn't start Monday so I went and got the propane torch.  Filled up the intake manifold and three or four turns and boom it started.  And then again in the afternoon.

I plan on draining the rest of the fuel out and burning it in the NPR, putting more of a fuel filter on the Kubota and then running at least one tank of B100 bio-diesel through it.

I realized Tuesday that while I call it the propane torch it hasn't actually seen propane in 15 years.  Am I going to hurt this incredible tool with Mapps gas?

Concerned here in Paradise where diesels always start and the mornings are never cloudy.

Casey

[Henry W]

How cold was it?

The BX2200 I had started fine with just glow plugs at 7 deg. F.

The engine the BX2200 used was the D905

I know Kubota switched to the D902 some time in 2004. I believe some of the earlier BX2230 subcompacts came with the D905.

Do your glow plugs work?

Henry

[LowGear]

I think I got a bit over zealous with the WVO mix - I'm hoping.  Normally I don't even use the glow plugs at it is never below 60 F. even in the early morning.

When it started there was a cloud of grayish smoke rather than the customarily blackish.  My water reservoir is right at the same point it's been for 5 years.

What do you think about the Mapps gas?

Casey

[Thob]

...

  Am I going to hurt this incredible tool with Mapps gas?

...

Casey

I don't think you're going to hurt the torch with Mapp gas. 

I do know that people have caused sudden death to an engine by using "starting fluid", typically ether.  You don't get a second chance - it's all over in a hurry.  Makes me not want to put anything in the intake.  I did read the Wiki article on MAPP gas, and it isn't what it used to be.  Apparently, lots of people make all kinds of substitutes for it but the old MAPP gas isn't made any more, at least not in the US.  So it appears that there could be very wide compositions to what anybody gets when they buy today's MAPP gas.  I think your plan to clean out the fuel and run some Biodiesel is what I'd try; or maybe plain pump diesel.  You may want to check the glow plugs, they may be needed for starting on WVO mix, even if they're not needed normally.  Especially a mix with extra WVO.

[LowGear]

I have returned from the shadow of death.  Wheewe!

I replaced the primary filter, drained the tank dry and put in some brand new commercially made bio-diesel.  It was shaky at the start but in just half a minute was running like new.  When I pulled the old filter off I took the outie line off first.  Drip, drip, drip.  When I pulled the filter off the tank side it poured out pretty good but I still did the tank quick flush.  Thob's recommendation was dead on.

The Kubota makes the farm possible and fun.

Casey

PS.  An early guru in my wrench bending days was death on ether.  Lacquer thinner down the carb was his methodology for slow starters.  I'm very impressed with the Mapps gas approach.

[Henry W]

Hi Casey,

Be careful with Biodiesel in the Kubota's.

Here is what you need:

This is the latest updated info from Kubota.

Look at the listing of Kubota Products Approved for Use with B5 and B20 Biodiesel.

Click on the B5 Biodiesel tab and you will find that your BX2230 is on this list.

I think you will find this info useful. Kubota also has written the recommended maintenance for use of Biodiesel for your Sub-Compact and many other equipment.

This listing gets rid of all the guesswork.

http://www.kubota.com/service/BioDiesel.aspx

Henry

[LowGear]

Hi Henry,

Thanks for the link.  When I bought my tractor 5 years ago I asked about bio-diesel.  They had two answers.  The approved answer conformed exactly to the paper you linked us to.  The second answer was that they had clients that ran their tractors year after year on B100.  If I were to start using it on an older tractor that didn't have a history of bio-diesel then to expect filter clogging problems.

I will tell you I'm not putting any more WVO thinned with RUG into him until I get my centrifuge running.  It's on the project line just behind the electriv ATV which I just got the throttle rod assembly finished today.  I might be buying batteries by next weekend.  I really like the new program where I take weekends off to work on stuff that is actually interesting and fun.  The old guy daily grind where Sunday was nothing more than the big paper day was getting to me.  It's fun to look forward to the weekend and putting the latest improvement to the test.

Casey