New Kubota ZT Smoking on Start-Up.

[5030]

Double check that no "eager beaver" has over filled the oil. My Kaw powered JD does that a bit also.

It's done this since new. I only have about 30 hours on it, though.

Have about 400 on mine and it does it consistently and I'm too lazy to re route the hose.

 

[jezreel]

It looks like everything is gonna be fine. . . I just hated the thought of driving a new machine off the lot that had an engine problem before I got it home. Paid A Lot for that machine.

In my experience, mowers are only supposed to cost $400

I think from hearing what y'all have to say, and after driving it a while, it will be OK.

 

[jezreel]

Okey Doke. . . It’s been an hour, so I went back and started it up. Big ‘old cloud of blue smoke. Let it run for 5 seconds till it quit. Turned it off. Started it again and got the same. Did it a third time and no smoke. Checked the oil, and it is over the full mark. oil goes up to the second L. Is this too much oil, and if so, would that cause the oil to be going into the cylinder so cause the smoke. I’m not very savvy on engIne mechanics. Here’s a pic.

 

[RjCorazza]

Some engines require that the stick be screwed in, others not. I would do two things...
See what the manual says about sticking the oil
Make sure you have allowed the oil to settle (especially if not warmed up). This would make the level appear low though.

But yes, overfull oil will cause smoking

 

[jezreel]

You’re Right. Manual said, put dip stick back in and do not screw the top on. Did that and oil level was fine.

I’ll keep peckin’ at it. Thanks guys.

 

[workinonit]

I've had 5 Kawasaki's. Still have 2 and I've never had one do what you describe.

Have about 400 on mine and it does it consistently and I'm too lazy to re route the hose.

Now my Kubota smokes when I start it, but it's a diesel.

 

[5030]

Now my Kubota smokes when I start it, but it's a diesel.

Neither of my M9's have ever smoked on startup. Sounds like you have issues....lol

 

[jezreel]

So, here's the thing. . . I went back to the Kubota House this morning and talked to the sales gal. And I will say, she has been a champ doing everything she can to make sure I felt confident in the new ZT. So we went back to the Service Dept. and talked to one of the guys at the counter. He "Assured" me this was normal. He said all the machines smoke like that on start-up. We talked for about 5mins and I finally said, Well, Okey Doke. You sound very confident that this is NOT just my machine. So, me and the sales gal were walking away and I asked her for one more thing. I said, can we go start-up one of the other machines? She said, Sho-nuff, and we did. Cranked-up a new machine that was the same model as mine. The exact same smoke came out of that one. So, long story finally ending. . . I am satisfied that this is not abnormal, and I am satisfied that my machine is not broke.

One little tidbit from the Service dude. I asked him if there was any additive put in at the factory to keep the gasoline fresh. He said no, but they, at the dealership, put in Stabil to their gasoline. So, that might be the culprit. rScotty was on the right track. I figured I'd go down and talk to them first before I did the work to drain gas and put more in.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I am now a Happy ZT owner.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

This happened on my Hustler with the 29Hp Kohler. The service department told me it was normal. Just run it as per normal, run it hard, and it would clear up. Now, four years later and 150 hours, it never puffs smoke.

I did however change the oil early and assured it was at the proper level. The oil from the dealer was an odd orange color and I didn’t feel comfortable with that

 

[jezreel]

This happened on my Hustler with the 29Hp Kohler. The service department told me it was normal. Just run it as per normal, run it hard, and it would clear up. Now, four years later and 150 hours, it never puffs smoke.

I did however change the oil early and assured it was at the proper level. The oil from the dealer was an odd orange color and I didn’t feel comfortable with that

Awesome! ! ! That's good to hear.