valve adjustments for Kubota 500 RTV

[dbadams]

I am new at this forum thing and also a female so don't laugh at my questions. My husband has me looking for information about adjusting the valves on his Kubota 500. The local dealership where it was purchased says they can't find information about this. I don't know why he thinks the valves need adjusting I didn't ask, I am just trying to find the answer to his question. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TripleR]

Valve adjustment is often recommended on the initial service or at another later service, so I am guessing that is where he is getting the information.

A workshop manual is the only place I know of that would show how this is done. I do all of my own maintenance with the exception of the valves.

Hopefully someone with a RTV 500 can provide more information.

Have you checked Messicks website? They offer a lot of good information.

Good luck.

[leonz]

Before he kills the RTV and possibly himself:


and the dealer saying they have no idea how to adjust the valves or even mention to you that the RTV may be expereincing other problems is dissapointing from my point of view.





It may simply be a problem with the fuel having water in it or the injection pump timing which affects the fuel delivery which affects the starting and which affects the low idle performance of the Kubota RTV engine.


Kubota(IN its ultimate wisdom *&^%&*()*&^% stuuuuuupid) has been advancing the timing on the small diesel engines to to comply with the EPA and its desires for less exhaust particulates.

I would strongly suggest that he have the timing checked as 99 percent of the issue is the timing and if the timing is correct and top dead center for the number one cylinder you have a fuel problem with water and plugged filters most likely requiring new filters and the purchase of a RACOR fuel funnel to separate water out of the diesel fuel or installing a RACOR diesel fuel water separator filter.


Diesel engine valve adjustments must be done properly with the engine being absolutely DEAD COLD after 24-36 hours of non use!!!!!, or you will have huge PROBLEMS and an engine that will be smoking and barely running.



Long before I even began a thought about the valves needing adjustment for this engine I would do the following.



Add some seafoam to the fuel in the tank-1 ounce per gallon and a splash more.

Change the fuel filters- yes fuel filter(s)

Change the air filters and the inner element if it has one with new ones no you do not save the inner elements!!!!!!, they are referred to as the safety
element for the engine intake air.

Check the fuel lines both the suction line and return line to see if one of them may be collapsed or zip tied too tightly.

Check the tank vent in the filler cap.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
First:
I would contact the Kubota dealer and ask to have someone come out and
check the timing on the injection pump and if they say they dont know how to adjust the timing i would find another dealer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you do not have a fuel funnel with a screen I would suggest you purchase a Racor fuel funnel water separator from maesco.com - Mid-Atlantic Engine Supply Corp. for $30.00 USD and shipping or a funnel with a simple mesh screen.

[tom4018]

Before he kills the RTV and possibly himself:


and the dealer saying they have no idea how to adjust the valves or even mention to you that the RTV may be expereincing other problems is dissapointing from my point of view.





It may simply be a problem with the fuel having water in it or the injection pump timing which affects the fuel delivery which affects the starting and which affects the low idle performance of the Kubota RTV engine.


Kubota(IN its ultimate wisdom *&^%&*()*&^% stuuuuuupid) has been advancing the timing on the small diesel engines to to comply with the EPA and its desires for less exhaust particulates.

I would strongly suggest that he have the timing checked as 99 percent of the issue is the timing and if the timing is correct and top dead center for the number one cylinder you have a fuel problem with water and plugged filters most likely requiring new filters and the purchase of a RACOR fuel funnel to separate water out of the diesel fuel or installing a RACOR diesel fuel water separator filter.


Diesel engine valve adjustments must be done properly with the engine being absolutely DEAD COLD after 24-36 hours of non use!!!!!, or you will have huge PROBLEMS and an engine that will be smoking and barely running.



Long before I even began a thought about the valves needing adjustment for this engine I would do the following.



Add some seafoam to the fuel in the tank-1 ounce per gallon and a splash more.

Change the fuel filters- yes fuel filter(s)

Change the air filters and the inner element if it has one with new ones no you do not save the inner elements!!!!!!, they are referred to as the safety
element for the engine intake air.

Check the fuel lines both the suction line and return line to see if one of them may be collapsed or zip tied too tightly.

Check the tank vent in the filler cap.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
First:
I would contact the Kubota dealer and ask to have someone come out and
check the timing on the injection pump and if they say they dont know how to adjust the timing i would find another dealer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you do not have a fuel funnel with a screen I would suggest you purchase a Racor fuel funnel water separator from maesco.com - Mid-Atlantic Engine Supply Corp. for $30.00 USD and shipping or a funnel with a simple mesh screen.

The 500's are gas not diesel.

[timswi]

I am new at this forum thing and also a female so don't laugh at my questions. My husband has me looking for information about adjusting the valves on his Kubota 500. The local dealership where it was purchased says they can't find information about this. I don't know why he thinks the valves need adjusting I didn't ask, I am just trying to find the answer to his question. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Why does he think that the valves need adjusted? Kinda need to know that first. Congrats on a nice UTV.

[David_Kb7uns]

Well if he is thinking in the ATV realm of things, most ATV makers require a valve adjustment in the first 10-25 hours of service. Since the 500 has an industrial engine it probably does not need it but my friends in the lawn mower shops do say some of the overhead valve lawn mower or industrial engines do need adjustments from time to time. Is the engine in the 500 a rebadged Kohler or Kawasaki??

David Kb7uns

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Before he kills the RTV and possibly himself:


and the dealer saying they have no idea how to adjust the valves or even mention to you that the RTV may be expereincing other problems is dissapointing from my point of view.





It may simply be a problem with the fuel having water in it or the injection pump timing which affects the fuel delivery which affects the starting and which affects the low idle performance of the Kubota RTV engine.


Kubota(IN its ultimate wisdom *&^%&*()*&^% stuuuuuupid) has been advancing the timing on the small diesel engines to to comply with the EPA and its desires for less exhaust particulates.

I would strongly suggest that he have the timing checked as 99 percent of the issue is the timing and if the timing is correct and top dead center for the number one cylinder you have a fuel problem with water and plugged filters most likely requiring new filters and the purchase of a RACOR fuel funnel to separate water out of the diesel fuel or installing a RACOR diesel fuel water separator filter.


Diesel engine valve adjustments must be done properly with the engine being absolutely DEAD COLD after 24-36 hours of non use!!!!!, or you will have huge PROBLEMS and an engine that will be smoking and barely running.



Long before I even began a thought about the valves needing adjustment for this engine I would do the following.



Add some seafoam to the fuel in the tank-1 ounce per gallon and a splash more.

Change the fuel filters- yes fuel filter(s)

Change the air filters and the inner element if it has one with new ones no you do not save the inner elements!!!!!!, they are referred to as the safety
element for the engine intake air.

Check the fuel lines both the suction line and return line to see if one of them may be collapsed or zip tied too tightly.

Check the tank vent in the filler cap.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
First:
I would contact the Kubota dealer and ask to have someone come out and
check the timing on the injection pump and if they say they dont know how to adjust the timing i would find another dealer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you do not have a fuel funnel with a screen I would suggest you purchase a Racor fuel funnel water separator from maesco.com - Mid-Atlantic Engine Supply Corp. for $30.00 USD and shipping or a funnel with a simple mesh screen.

Some times if you don't know what your talking about, it's best to stay silent.

[leonz]

Some times if you don't know what your talking about, it's best to stay silent.

Whoopsie

In my defense, I thought this one had the air cooled "Kohler Lombardini Diesel Engine"

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Whoopsie

In my defense, I thought this one had the air cooled "Kohler Lombardini Diesel Engine"

Thanks Leonz. I was hoping you'd take it as a friendly ribbing and not a deep dig.
You are without a doubt our flail mower specialist but I'm still not convinced flail mowers will cure cancer, cook meals, extend ones life and make one healthy, wealthy and wise. Not saying one won't but not endorsing the idea. Counting on you for flail mower promotion.

[SpudHauler]

Your Kubota dealer's service department should be able to give you the clearance for the valves. If not check with other dealers.

A workshop manual is a must if he wants to do his own maintenance. $60-$80

I can describe how, but sounds like he might already knows. All 4-stroke valve adjustments are essentially done the same way.

Good Luck!

This should have been posted in the ATV section. More viewers familiar with these in that section. Most ATV/UTV guys will miss this one.