diesel kubota

andyzinct. · Aug 18, 2009

A friend of mine has an older Kubota. Not sure of the model. But besides electrical issues that drains the battery it is hard starting. Even with a fully charged battery and in warm weather you have to crank it a long time to get it to start. Even after using the glow plugs. Every diesel I ever owned started right up in a few seconds of cranking. What could be the problem here? Thanks

JoeM(GA) · Aug 18, 2009

First thing I would check is that the glow plugs are really heating up. Some of the older ones also had a compression release to help spin them over.Clean fuel,clean fuel filter, non-restricted air filter.

Traditional Farmer · Aug 18, 2009

Typical Junkbota stuff

ohiojim · Aug 18, 2009

i have a late 70s L245DT, even in the 80 degree weather you have to heat them,..i'd check those glow plugs first....

onefarmer · Aug 18, 2009

I have a NH455 skidsteer w/3 cyl Kubota engine. Starts just like that. Use the glow plugs even in 80 degrees. Starts right up with the plugs.

Check each plug that it isn't burnt out and that it is getting power.

Allan in NE · Aug 18, 2009

Poor compression.

Allan

Bill(Wis) · Aug 18, 2009

Allan gets the cigar. Without sufficient compression, you're going to have a hard time starting any engine but diesels (compression ignition engine) absolutely have to have a minimum compression reading. I'd bet that engine has weak compression. Well, you should know the fix for that. Either that, or tow it down the road really fast, get it running and then keep it hot and don't shut it down. Just add fuel and oil from time to time.

andyzinct. · Aug 18, 2009

Once it starts it runs fine. But it is a pain to start. I will have to investigate the glow plugs.Even using them - if in fact they are working - it tacks some cranking to start.

Ted in NE · Aug 18, 2009

Do you get white smoke out the exhaust pipe even though it will not start? Could be it looses its prime after it sits, have to crank a long time to get fuel. Will it start the rest of the day after the first start up?
Just another thing to check.

OliverGuy · Aug 18, 2009

Allan's right. Every Kubota we've had starts right up, but it depends on the condition of the engine. I've got a tired Oliver that doesn't start right off, because of poor compression. Gotta have it for easy starting.

showcrop · Aug 18, 2009

One of my diesels was getting hard to start. Then I noticed one day that the ground was hot to the touch. I tightened it and it spins faster and fires right up. Same thing happened with my truck , 2003 with 475 Cat. A guy happened to be walking by as I started it outside a store and asked if sparks were supposed to be coming from under the fender. Factory bolt was too small for the hole in frame so it had corroded.

andyzinct. · Aug 18, 2009

I have to investigate further. Not sure if glow plugs are working. Could be loosing its prime. Something is draining the battery so I know something is up with the electrical. If it has poor compression wouldn't it be going thru oil and running bad?

Anonymous-0 · Aug 18, 2009

We have a 1986 B7300 at work. Has started like that since it was new. About have to use the glow plugs if it is less than 60 degrees or so, or crank it a while.

Walterdavies · Aug 18, 2009

Having two older Kubota's this is normal for them. You have to use the preheat even on a warm day. Sorry Allen but its a Kubota thing and has nothing to do with compression.
I turn on the glow plugs and count slowly to 10 on warm days and 15 on cold days. If this doesn't work then the plugs may not be working. If is has the small round chrome plug with a hole in the center right above the key then hold your finger on the hole it should get real hot when ready to start. This is for those that start with the key and not a separate switch.
Walt

Anonymous-0 · Aug 18, 2009

Kubota's are very good engines but the older ones (mid 90's and older) are indirect injection and need glow plugs all the time when they are cold, even if it's 90 deg. outside. The newer engines are direct injection and don't need glow plugs in warm weather. I have a Kubota in my skid steer. Sometimes I have to use the glow plugs for 30 seconds or more. Maybe your glow plugs are getting weak? I have the indicator but have also seen the glowing element in the preheat indicator burn out. I was at a dealer and a customer was ordering a new preheat indicator for his machine. Don't use ether on a Kubota ever. Dave

Mel in SW Iowa · Aug 18, 2009

I have a D950 3 cyl Kubota in a Cushman Frontline 72" lawn mower. At first, because I was accustomed to direct injection diesels, I was impatient with the glow plugs, but after I found out what power, fuel economy, and service life they offer, I like them a lot more.

mowr · Aug 18, 2009

Low cranking speed can certainly cause this problem. Possible causes: weak cables, poor connections, weak starter, using car battery (even with lots of cold-cranking amps). Remedies: repair connections, install good, heavy-guage cables, rebuild starter, install diesel-rated battery (lots of "reserve minutes"). HP31-E batteries have plenty of reserve minutes AND CCA. A $100 battery is a bargain when it saves on starter repairs caused by long cranks, and engine repairs cause by starting fluids. And no, bad compression rings don"t necessarily mean bad oil rings or vice-versa. Plenty of engines have one or the other; with diesels, compression is often a problem long before oil consumption due to the above-mentioned use of starting fluids.

buickanddeere · Aug 18, 2009

Use an ammeter and check if the ammeters are drawing current.

diesel kubota

andyzinct.

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JoeM(GA)

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Traditional Farmer

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ohiojim

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onefarmer

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Allan in NE

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Bill(Wis)

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andyzinct.

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Ted in NE

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OliverGuy

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showcrop

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andyzinct.

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Anonymous-0

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Walterdavies

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Anonymous-0

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Mel in SW Iowa

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mowr

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buickanddeere

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