Brand new L2501 started making a nasty noise at 6 hours

Ortimber · Oct 8, 2018

It's hard to say, but I'm going to guess that it's a fuel injection issue. Bad injectors or pumps can make all kinds of racket.

charlton289 · Oct 8, 2018

It sounds something in intera

atsah · Oct 8, 2018

Sure sounds internal to me, Kubota will take care of it, it's man made, someone has to get a bad one at some point..

charlton289 · Oct 8, 2018

Sorry my cat stepped on send key but it sounds internal I wouldn't run to long and cause more damage and let the dealer figure it out they might have to give another one or repair but it could take a few days.

Shaneard · Oct 8, 2018

Ortimber said:
It's hard to say, but I'm going to guess that it's a fuel injection issue. Bad injectors or pumps can make all kinds of racket.

If it was fuel related the engine oil wouldn’t be gray.

Soundguy · Oct 8, 2018

Engine oil being gray is the biggest 'concern' in the entire thread. Sure the knock could be a straight miss / injector.. but .. we know what is making the oil grey.. and if it is... that engine will be getting rebuilt.

As the owner, having bought a new tractor, 6 hours of use ago..., I don't think I'd want a dealer rebuilt engine in my new tractor... but that's just me.

atsah · Oct 8, 2018

Soundguy said:
Engine oil being gray is the biggest 'concern' in the entire thread. Sure the knock could be a straight miss / injector.. but .. we know what is making the oil grey.. and if it is... that engine will be getting rebuilt.

As the owner, having bought a new tractor, 6 hours of use ago..., I don't think I'd want a dealer rebuilt engine in my new tractor... but that's just me.

I agree, with that many hours they should have a new unit ready for the OP IMO IF there is internal damage... I would be on the phone with Kubota so that they can follow this along and to cover himself..

Coyote machine · Oct 8, 2018

Knocking could be a bad injector, or not. Could also be worse, like a spun bearing, though less likely, not saying it couldn't happen. Kubota will figure out what it is and then deal with it as a warranty issue. This is why you, the OP bought a new tractor, right?
IF Kubota says dealer is to do a rebuild on site in their shop, then it's their call. Warranty doesn't give options to the buyer so much as it does the manufacturer and dealer. They're the ones who offer and write the warranty and then stand behind it.
To the OP, sorry your brand new tractor broke with so little hours on it. You did nothing wrong- don't worry, it will get taken care of.
And stages of grief don't go according to a specific sequence- one may experience some or all of the stages at various times, or not. It's OK to be angry about having a broken tractor. And realize it's a machine, and anything assembled by humans or robots can and at times may/will break. Even Kubotas.:confused3:

mguitas · Oct 8, 2018

I know a guy on the youtube had a 2501, an he traded in in for a 3301 because it was so loud in his mind. He said the 3301 was not as loud.

Blondie70 · Oct 8, 2018

He is rite...the 2501 is louder than the 3301. I think because of the big ole DPF on the 33. He can have his 3301. I traded my 33 in for a 2501 because of the DPF stuff....I hated it and it made the tractor unbearably hot to operate cutting grass in the summertime heat. They would be nice and warm operating in the North Pole or somewhere like that...ha hah a....not for me. I made a big mistake on that 3301 but I am very happy with my 2501. Can't tell any difference in power for what I do.

MHarryE · Oct 8, 2018

My bet is something in the valve train. Sharp loud clack engine speed ratio. Will be interesting to see what dealer finds.

JWR · Oct 9, 2018

Let me throw in this opinion: Based primarily on the sound, I think you lost pressure lubrication in the engine. In fact, I'll take a few bets to that on the side. Second, you have very little time on it since the loud clacking began, if I understand you correctly. If that is true, there is probably little or no damage to the engine. Once the cause is found and fixed things will all of a sudden be just fine.

The cause? Infant mortality of the oil pump probably. Possibly a blocked oil passage from debris left in during manufacturing or an oil passage obscured by a casting error. Possibly a plugged up oil filter, maybe mismanufactured?

As said early on, the dealer will find out. PLEASE let us all know the answer. OBTW, under no circumstances do you tolerate rebuilding of anything !!! With 6hrs. if something needs work it is replaced with NEW, not rebuilt. And that certainly includes the engine ! I really doubt the engine is damaged but if it is, at 6hrs., you simply demand a new engine. Period.

DaveB2650 · Oct 9, 2018

OBTW, under no circumstances do you tolerate rebuilding of anything !!! With 6hrs. if something needs work it is replaced with NEW, not rebuilt. And that certainly includes the engine ! I really doubt the engine is damaged but if it is, at 6hrs., you simply demand a new engine. Period.[/QUOTE]

Yep^^^^^

If there's any form of hesitation from the dealer, whip out that green JD hat and your attorney's business card.

(I bet you get through this without having to "go green")

auroraproject · Oct 9, 2018

Dealer is on the way to pick it up now. Will update when I have more info.

Betting pool is as follows:

- Air in the injector
- Failed fuel injector
- Failed oil pump
- Rod bearing failure

Soundguy · Oct 9, 2018

Good luck. Let us know what's up.

From a rebuild point of view.. if it did loose pressure lubrication, figure the bearings are all toast, even if they aren't. if there are no marks on any journals, then the crank and cam can be standard and go back in with standard. If any of the bearings spun, I'd have to think the crank will get turned, or replaced. Personally, on a new machine, I wouldn't want to start life with a turned crank and OS bearings..

Now.. if the oil is going grey.. that means water.. we all know that nothing eats bearings faster than coolant in the oil.

it's possible a head gasket let go and is tanking one cyl.. but I'd expect to see steam too.

If it's any type of internal block flaw.. I'd surely not want that unit as a rebuild core. New engine at a minimum.

ruffdog · Oct 9, 2018

After listening to the video, I'm calling it, the time is 11:50am. Pulls the sheet over the engine.

JWR · Oct 9, 2018

ruffdog said:
After listening to the video, I'm calling it, the time is 11:50am. Pulls the sheet over the engine.

Nah, I'll take some of that money. I say it's just dry of pressure lube and will be fine once the cause is removed. (Unless it ran a long time in that state.)

Soundguy · Oct 9, 2018

Lack of oil pressure caused grey oil?

Usually takes water...

wagne223 · Oct 9, 2018

Soundguy said:
Lack of oil pressure caused grey oil?

Usually takes water...

Metal on metal causes gray oil. Typically caused by lack of oil.

Coolant or water mixed with oil will make it light brown. Often called a milkshake because it resembles a Wendy's milkshake.

JWR · Oct 9, 2018

wagne223 said:
Metal on metal causes gray oil. Typically caused by lack of oil.

Coolant or water mixed with oil will make it light brown. Often called a milkshake because it resembles a Wendy's milkshake.

Agree on the brown. Thankfully I never saw gray oil. If noticeably gray that could mean his engine ran too long without oil and he may have damage I suppose.