Jim, regarding the smoking issue, I'm pretty sure that was a fueling issue. Wasted cold fuel will tend to be lighter, not black., a color that would tend to lead you to believe that it's oil. Could also be not enough fuel. Cold engine smoke isn't as black and white (pun not intended) as is with a warm engine. That said, about the only way you'd see burned oil would be because the engine is exceedingly cold- rings aren't sealing up yet: this just happens, though it really shouldn't happen to any meaningful duration and should only be if it was insanely cold. Can't recall what oil Kiotii is recommending, but I run 5w-40: if it were a colder climate I'd be reaching for 0w-40 (it's available here, and if it weren't much of a cost differential I'd run it- always better going with a lower cold rating).
Sorry if I missed it, but did you replace the fuel filter? If you get enough moisture/water you'll collapse the filter. Some things like this the computer really can't decipher, so it'll be allowing for an increased amount of air while there's really not enough fuel to match (that would tend to involve the turbo, but perhaps there's another mechanism in play?). Total extent depends on how much water/moisture; could collapse a little, or if could be a lot. I haven't changed my fuel filter after I had what was probably a gelling event, probably should have; but, like with you, I did not experience any further problems: I did, however, drain the filter, via the lower drain when doing my 50hr service, and I do seem to recall that I got a fair amount of water (after watching so much various fluids coming out of my tractor during this service I cannot say for sure what it was
). In my case I am pretty certain that I had a blockage at the fuel tank outlet, as I blew back through the line and felt some initial resistance (as though it was an ice pellet); my fuel was summer fuel- I'm a bit new to on-site fuel storage and handling; last fill-up was before fuel change-over and I had no thoughts about all of this at that time, and all the way up until I started to troubleshoot my starting issues).
And as has been mentioned, it could be injector issues. I would make sure that this is all documented such that Kioti is aware of it. I have heard of injectors being replaced; what the issue was I cannot recall.
I'd hope that you didn't totally burn the bridge with that dealer. My dealer wasn't so great at first, but I've made it a point to force a better rapport: I'll suffer high fluid charges just to make sure I'm helping them from being crappy due to financial difficulties. I'm happy to report that things have been a lot better: I also replied to Kioti's new owner survey- I recognize that this is all a combined effort and that it is good for everyone to work together. If I get another survey I will be, as it currently stands, responding more favorably.
My dealer picked up my Kioti twice in order to deal with some issues (cab leak and a mal-constructed loader), on their dime. I believe that it was stated up front that they'd be good with this as long as it within a short period of time after purchase (meaning that it was most likely a new manufacturing issue- defect). As I understand it, ANY recall means that the factory foots all costs (which would also include travel time and or hauling costs).
