2009 5600D engine problem

[DEWFPO]

I need help diagnosing a power issue on my 2009 Toolcat 5600D.

I know my way around gas engines pretty darn well and I've owned 2 diesel engines but have only done basic maintenance on the diesels so I am literally a novice when it comes to diagnosing diesel engine issues.

I apologize in advance for this being a long explanation but I wanted to give enough information.

- 5600D built in 2008, I am the original owner.
- unit only has 178 hours
- Engine oil and filters have been changed several times over the years. OE Bobcat filter and Amsoil diesel oil 5W30.
- hydraulic filters were changed at 50 hrs. with Bobcat OE filters but it still has the original fluid
- original fuel filter
- I purchase all my off-road fuel from the reliable local CO-OP, I use diesel fuel stabilizer since I don't use much fuel.
- the fuel in it is from last winter season but I've used it several times in the last 2 months with no issues.
- last used about 10 days ago to move yards of top soil around with the bucket
- today I used it to blow wet, heavy snow for the first time this season.
- Hi-Flow light is on with the SB200 attached.

- ambient temp 11F, Toolcat was in a barn that was 37F inside.
- engine starts fine and idles smoothly, I let the Toolcat warm up until the temp gauge is in the green and then I begin to snowblow.
- blowing heavy, compacted snow downhill at medium rpm presents no problems, but then.....

- at higher rpm, especially under load (driving back uphill) it starts to lose power rapidly and starts to blow clear BLUE smoke (not opaque heavy blue smoke) from the exhaust. Not much black smoke to speak of.
- With no snowblower rotation and just driving the Toolcat up a 150 foot, paved, 12% grade driveway it almost doesn't make it to the top. It is literally barely crawling when I get to the top flat area.
- when the engine's blowing blue smoke it's also running rough, and won't run above 2200 rpm in neutral, if I idle down, the smoke slows and stops but it idles down to 1200 rpm and is still running rough.
- if I bring the idle up to about 1600 for a few seconds, it will smooth out and I can then bring it down to a normal smooth idle with no smoke.
- when it's idling smoothly without load, I can run it up to 2900 rpm (normal top rpm), but after only a few seconds it will start running rough, start blowing clear blue smoke, and drop down to the 2200 rpm pretty quickly.
- I turned the engine off in case it was some sort of electronic control glitch but it did not solve the issue.
- I used the Toolcat for about an hour blowing snow on flat terrain and the problem seemed to get worse the longer I used it. Barely making it up the hill the last time.

-There are no warning lights.

- My first thought was it might be a plugged fuel filter but I'm stumped why it would be blowing blue smoke. I've got a Bobcat OE fuel filter sitting on the shelf.

I appreciate any help.

DEWFPO

 

[ruffdog]

Not a expert here either. High load/rpm needs 2 things, fuel and air. Being that it is easy, I would first check air inlet for blockage like a mouse nest and would blow out filter. Next, does your unit have a fuel filter water drain? I would do that while catching the fuel so you can identify any debris or water. After 12 years I would change the fuel filter in the near future. Then....

 

[DEWFPO]

Thanks Ruffdog, I'll check both of those things. I believe the fuel filter does have a water drain and that should be easy enough to do.

DEWFPO

 

[bnold]

Sounds very fuel filter to me...

Either water in bowl, or dirty filter, seems too warm to be gelled.

Easiest start is replace fuel filter.

 

[SSdoxie]

This machine has Hi-Flow so it has a turbo. What you describe is classic failure of the seals in turbo.

 

[DEWFPO]

This machine has Hi-Flow so it has a turbo. What you describe is classic failure of the seals in turbo.

That's what I'm afraid of. Are there any diagnostic procedures that I can use to verify? Is there a rebuild kit for the seals?

Thanks, DEWFPO

 

[dk8019]

That's what I'm afraid of. Are there any diagnostic procedures that I can use to verify? Is there a rebuild kit for the seals?

Thanks, DEWFPO

It sure sounds like the turbo. Good news is that a new turbo is around $200, or the core itself is around $120 and assuming everything comes loose on the exhaust manifold side, a relatively easy job to do.

49131-2 Turbo Cartridge Core For Kubota Earth Moving Excavator V23-T E3CD-D | eBay

For Kubota V23T V23-T Engine Turbocharger Turbo TD3 49131-9 1J43-1713 | eBay

 

[dk8019]

Well actually, if this is your engine bay, that turbo is going to be fun to get at from the intake side. Quick question on your oil type, I've never heard of running 5w-30 oil in a diesel, although it appears Kubota may have been pretty wide in their specifications for oil whether the oil is rated for diesel or not. Light oil can cause premature turbo seal failure from what I've read.

 

[groundcover]

I am in the fuel , fuel filter issue camp. Replace it and do an autopsy on the old one to check for slime / algae.

 

[laurencen]

not on my Toolcat but a couple years ago I had a similar issue on a Deere 644e, it ran great at times, others it was rough and blew lots of smoke and rough at any rpm, after playing with it turned out to be a large nest in the exhaust, it would be moving gradually restricting the exhaust, sort of like a check valve, pain to clear I took the exhause off and straight piped it with a mesh screen