1538 smoking

[metalcaster]

Ive noticed recently the my 2015 1538 has more exhaust smoke than I remember ever seeing or smelling. I've always used the low S fuel. Anyone else run into this?

 

[duffer]

My neighbor's Kubota had a similar problem. He had a small leak in his fuel line. Hit's the engine and smokes/stinks. Might want to check your fuel filter for snug fitting. Also, it might be water in the fuel. Tough to tell from here, but just a couple of thoughts that come to mind. Good luck.

 

[RNeumann]

I’ve never seen any smoke on mine. What color is it?

 

[metalcaster]

I致e never seen any smoke on mine. What color is it?

It is diesel exhaust smoke, just like my older JD 790 used to blow; blue grey. Fuel filter no where near the exhaust so it isn't that. Probably not being run hard or long enough at a time?

 

[RNeumann]

I start mine and take it to 1200rpm. Pull it out of the shop and close the door-say 30-45” or so. Then run it between 1600-2000 the entire time I’m working- unless I hop off for a min or need to talk to someone.
Water in the fuel or cold cold starts can cause some smoke. These new machines need some rpm (and this heat) to keep the cat cleared and all the emissions working as they should. Hope it’s a simple behavior modification on your part....that would be the easy fix.

 

[Andy1969]

I have same tractor and if I run it for an extended time at below say 1500 rpm I will get some smoke as described above when I rev it up to 2000 rpm. I especially notice this if when running at lower rpm if it's not loaded. Meaning if I'm not working it. I think it's just that the DOC will load up somewhat and then get blown out so to speak. I have an older VW diesel with a similar passive DOC catalyst and the same thing happens when I do a lot of putting around town. Then when I take it out on the interstate and stand on it I get a nice shot of smoke until the DOC clears itself. Try running at higher rpms and see if that helps.

 

[JerryK]

You should check you coolant temp and see if it is coming up to the proper temp. I have to run a sheet of plastic with a 9" hole in it in the winter on my 2555 even at PTO RPM blowing snow. If you get the engine up to normal temp, then your smoking will probably lessen/go away even at lower RPM's. Lot of diesel stuff, especially some of these Mahindra tractors, have coolant systems built to keep the thing from burning up when it is 90 outside and you are working the krap out of them. That same cooling system is hard pressed to work on a tractor you are just putting around [ in tractor ' work ' speak... ]

 

[JerryK]

Here is a rebuild of last years 2555 radiator airflow limiter thing.... [ maybe Santa will bring me a heat activated/clutch or electric fan fix... ] Started with a 10.5" hole in the original, then cut that size down to 7.24" to run the rest of the winter. Made a new one this year with a 7.5" hole to replace the cobbled up one I had. [ Wally sign plastic is only $3 a sheet ]. You can block the thing entirely, or even remove the radiator fan blade, but the more you do the more you have to watch your coolant temp so you do not overheat the motor. Until your motor coolant temp gets up to where it is designed to operate the thing can smoke, and actually is bad for the motor, too. The 10.5" would hardly let it come up to thermostat opening temp unless under load. The 7.25" got it up to temp like in the summer, and was not too much that the thermostat could not regulate the temp like in the summer. This is on a 55 hp turbo running a 78" snow blower, and still needs the help getting up to temp. Note that the hole is centered on the fan, and not exactly in the center of the radiator... 1st picture of the two together, 2nd the new one, and 3rd it installed in the 2555.... 4th one... winter battery shield made with left over plastic, keep battery from being packed with snow... Note also, air intake hose added to get clean air from up under the hood instead of packing the prefilter/filter case with the huge amounts of snow sucked into this area by the aggressive radiator fan they put in these things.. [ used 2-1/2" I.D. sawdust duct ] Getting ready for another snow war here in Upper/Lower Michigan .....

 

[kevin37b]

Diesel engines are designed to run hard , WOT .Quit pussyfutting around and run it , get up to OT and run it ! You guys amaze me with this paranoid warm up procedure .I have run diesel machinery most of my 6o years . Plug it in , crank , and half throttle to get the juices flowing . Kevin .