Kubota hard start?

yeehaw48 · Jan 11, 2015

Just purchased a new to me 2006 Kubota 900 rtv, to start this machine it requires that you glow plug this machine for about 5 sec. and you have to depress the throttle just a slight amount. It will crank a long time without depressing the throttle. Would this be a filter issue, or possible an adjustment problem. Granted I understand the glow plug use in this weather but I don't understand why you have to depress the throttle just abit. I also have a newer 900 rtv that doesn't require this also. I am a new member here and I'm not new to diesels, just looking for a direction to look. Thanks for any help you can advise.

DIXIEDOG · Jan 11, 2015

If you haven't changed your filter I would start there.....also if you haven't fueled up in a long time it's possible you still have summer blend fuel....winter fuel has additives to keep it flowing better. May consider putting some additive in your fuel.

texasjohn · Jan 11, 2015

Welcome...I'd check for a clean air filter.

yeehaw48 · Jan 12, 2015

texasjohn said:
Welcome...I'd check for a clean air filter.

Thanks guys, I'll check the air and fuel filters, wonder why the 06 doesn't have a fuel/water seperator? Thanks again for the advice.:thumbsup:

East Texan · Jan 14, 2015

Assuming the 2006 is the same as my 2007, the inline fuel filter operates as such to absorb water in the element as opposed to a traditional canister type fuel/water separator. Kubota did offer an optional canister type fuel/water separator that you can purchase and install if you want. With your symptoms I would be inclined to start with putting a new fuel filter on and see what it does. It is a little tricky to get to but doable yourself and the filter itself is cheap.

My RTV has 1250 or so hours on it now and I don't have to touch the throttle to start it. The only time it will crank longer than what I consider to be normal would be if I don't let the glow plug work long enough or at all, even then I do not have to touch the throttle at all. I have changed my inline fuel filter a couple times now at 1250 hours. I'm not even sure what the book specs as when to perform the service, I just change out the filters on all of my machines every 2 years since I don't put a ton of hours on anything. I keep diesel in a bulk storage tank with its own water separator on my farm and although I have not yet had an issue with water contamination, I am always a little paranoid about it so on my RTV and BX1500 with inline filters, I change them out for peace of mind regardless of hours.

Also, if you have the normal air filter location under the bed (as opposed to the optional high-mount design), make sure you look at your inner air filter when you look at the outer one. It takes a lot longer for the inner one to get dirty but it does eventually. If you just take the lid off the box and don't actually remove the outer filter, you might not know its even there. If you have the high-mount filter setup, I'm not sure if it has an inner filter or not.

mddorange · Jan 15, 2015

:welcome:
To the forum from Northwest Alabama. Ditto on what others have already recommended.

yeehaw48 · Jan 16, 2015

yeehaw48 said:
Just purchased a new to me 2006 Kubota 900 rtv, to start this machine it requires that you glow plug this machine for about 5 sec. and you have to depress the throttle just a slight amount. It will crank a long time without depressing the throttle. Would this be a filter issue, or possible an adjustment problem. Granted I understand the glow plug use in this weather but I don't understand why you have to depress the throttle just abit. I also have a newer 900 rtv that doesn't require this also. I am a new member here and I'm not new to diesels, just looking for a direction to look. Thanks for any help you can advise.

did what everyone suggested and the air filter was quite dirty, the fuel filter was also, I did kick the idle rpm just some. The 900 now starts without needing to depress the accel. Thanks guys for all the info and help. I do notice white smoke on starting but it goes away once the engine smoothes out>

texasjohn · Jan 16, 2015

yeehaw48 said:
did what everyone suggested and the air filter was quite dirty, the fuel filter was also, I did kick the idle rpm just some. The 900 now starts without needing to depress the accel. Thanks guys for all the info and help. I do notice white smoke on starting but it goes away once the engine smoothes out>

Congrats on getting running. WATCH YOUR AIR FILTER!! Depending on your roads, it can get quite clogged in very few hours...like 10...if very dusty. MANY people, myself included, have installed a high air intake and solved the problem...there are quite a few posts on the net/utube showing how people did it. Also, a kit is available from Kubota.
You may find, given the changes you have made, that you can back off of the idle speed a bit. White smoke not a problem, idle speed reduction may reduce it.

yeehaw48 · Jan 17, 2015

texasjohn said:
Congrats on getting running. WATCH YOUR AIR FILTER!! Depending on your roads, it can get quite clogged in very few hours...like 10...if very dusty. MANY people, myself included, have installed a high air intake and solved the problem...there are quite a few posts on the net/utube showing how people did it. Also, a kit is available from Kubota.
You may find, given the changes you have made, that you can back off of the idle speed a bit. White smoke not a problem, idle speed reduction may reduce it.

took your advice Texas and installed a hi air intake and backed off the idle adj. seems great so far THANKS for ya help, it will be used on dusty roads, thanks again:dance1::dance1:

texasjohn · Jan 17, 2015

You will be AMAZED how little dust now gets caught by the air filter...saves money on air filters...remember the air filters can be cleaned and reused. Now, if you haven't washed out your radiator with a water hose, time to do that. Dusty roads will clog up the radiator...looking at the radiator, you may think it is OK...prove it to yourself by running a water hose on it....unless this has been done recently, you will spend quite some time running water before it runs out clean. Enjoy your RTV...it's a super handy tool assuming you add accessories meeting your needs.

Glad I could be helpful! Let us know how it fits into your work schedule and what you do with it...we always like to know these things.