ZenNohItWontStart
New member
As many people before me have encountered I am having a hard time priming the fuel system on a Kubota L185 equivalent tractor. After reading as much information as I could find and trying my best, I still can't get fuel to the injectors. Here is the back story and what I have tried thus far:
I acquired a Zen-Noh ZL1501 (from what I read it's basically a Kubota L185/L175 15HP diesel tractor). The machine apparently sat outside for several years and when it came to me it was missing a starter and an exhaust pipe. Neither the exhaust manifold or the flywheel housing seemed to have had too much water damage, so I replaced both of these items and started working on the fuel situation. I drained the tank since I felt it had some water mixed in and changed the filter. I then primed the fuel filter and the line from the filter to the injector pump. After closer inspection I discovered the lines coming out of the injector pump to the injectors were disconnected and had some dust/dirt in the area so I carefully brushed away what I could and finished cleaning with compressed air. I then removed the lines to the injectors, cleaned them and re-installed them on the injector pump outlet and proceeded to crack them open at the injectors themselves. After spending a week cranking the engine(at full throttle), I still haven't been able to purge the system of air. I noticed some fuel at the outlet of the rear cylinder supply on the top of the injector pump but it never made it to the injector itself. I even spent about 30 minutes pulling the tractor around in high gear turning the engine over and still no fuel at the injectors.
I can't seem to locate the engine shutoff knob/lever and am wondering if I am missing something here and my fuel is shutoff. The only lever I see attached to the fuel pump is the throttle itself.
I am also wondering if the piston in the fuel pump is stuck in the upward position and may need to be freed up in order to allow the fuel to pump.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Please see the attached photos for reference.
I acquired a Zen-Noh ZL1501 (from what I read it's basically a Kubota L185/L175 15HP diesel tractor). The machine apparently sat outside for several years and when it came to me it was missing a starter and an exhaust pipe. Neither the exhaust manifold or the flywheel housing seemed to have had too much water damage, so I replaced both of these items and started working on the fuel situation. I drained the tank since I felt it had some water mixed in and changed the filter. I then primed the fuel filter and the line from the filter to the injector pump. After closer inspection I discovered the lines coming out of the injector pump to the injectors were disconnected and had some dust/dirt in the area so I carefully brushed away what I could and finished cleaning with compressed air. I then removed the lines to the injectors, cleaned them and re-installed them on the injector pump outlet and proceeded to crack them open at the injectors themselves. After spending a week cranking the engine(at full throttle), I still haven't been able to purge the system of air. I noticed some fuel at the outlet of the rear cylinder supply on the top of the injector pump but it never made it to the injector itself. I even spent about 30 minutes pulling the tractor around in high gear turning the engine over and still no fuel at the injectors.
I can't seem to locate the engine shutoff knob/lever and am wondering if I am missing something here and my fuel is shutoff. The only lever I see attached to the fuel pump is the throttle itself.
I am also wondering if the piston in the fuel pump is stuck in the upward position and may need to be freed up in order to allow the fuel to pump.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Please see the attached photos for reference.
