Kubota Glow Plug question

[LabLuvR]

I believe the glow plug in my L3710 may be shot. When I crank the tractor in cold weather it takes quite some time for the tractor to start. Where is the glow plug located? How do I test it, and is this something someone with limited mechanical skills can repair? Thanks!

 

[KennyV]

Each cylinder has it's own glow plug. If you have a volt/ohm meter you can check this yourself. The first thing to check is: Are you getting 12 volts to the buss that connects all the glow plugs together on the engine?
If you are getting power there then you need to check the resistance of each plug.
Check for 12 volts first. KennyV

 

[curtisfarmer]

I just replaced my glow plugs on a L48....same problems you mentioned. I didn't think about testing, probably should have...but replaced them and it solved the problem. It was not that hard, about 30-40 minutes total. Plugs where $22 each. Good luck.

 

[Piperflyer]

What kind of hours did you guys have on you tractors when the problem started?

 

[KennyV]

Hours are a good indicator of a lot of things but this might not be that good for glow plugs... they would be more closely linked to number of start-up cycles, as the glow plug sequence is automatic and occurs for various length of time at every start-up.
I know that for my tractor I normally have over 2 to 4 hours at every start. There are a lot of guys I know that will start and stop their tractors every time they get on and off for what ever reason...
So if your tractor has been started and stopped frequently, your starter battery electrical system, including the glow plugs, will have been used a LOT more than someone that dose not frequently start/stop.

Any time that easy starts are a problem in cold weather... Glow plugs and control circuits are the first place to start looking. KennyV.

 

[Piperflyer]

Your right there Kenny

 

[LabLuvR]

Okay, where would I find the glow plug located on the tractor? Thanks!

 

[curtisfarmer]

My older L48 has 1540 hours when I changed them last week, and I agree about the starting all the time thing as I use mine commercially and start/stop all the time. On my machines the plugs are right behind the injectors and connected by a strip bus.

 

[Happyman]

Be sure you let the plugs "glow" for a few seconds before starting when it's cold outside. Turning the key to the "start" position right away (instead of to the "on" or "run" position) can flood the glow plugs and make for some hard starting.
My L3940 has an indicator on the dash that indicates when the plugs are hot and it goes off when It's ready to start.

 

[iplumb]

Be sure you let the plugs "glow" for a few seconds before starting when it's cold outside. Turning the key to the "start" position right away (instead of to the "on" or "run" position) can flood the glow plugs and make for some hard starting.
My L3940 has an indicator on the dash that indicates when the plugs are hot and it goes off when It's ready to start.

Thats what I was thinking. Are you using your glow plugs? Do you know how to use them?

 

[Happyman]

The glow plugs automaticly come on every time you turn the key to the run position (before you turn to the start position). Don't you have an indicator on your dash that shows you they are on, and then goes out indicating you can now start the engine? My glow plugs will stay on for about 5 seconds when it's in the 30's F and longer when in the 20's F.
Even when the tractor has been run and is warm the glow plug indicator comes on for a split second before I turn the key to "start". Glow plugs, at least on my L3940, are not something I can turn on or off, or have a choice as to whether they come on or not. It's automatic. And the colder it is outside the longer they will "glow" to preheat the cylinders.

 

[iplumb]

The glow plugs automaticly come on every time you turn the key to the run position (before you turn to the start position). Don't you have an indicator on your dash that shows you they are on, and then goes out indicating you can now start the engine? My glow plugs will stay on for about 5 seconds when it's in the 30's F and longer when in the 20's F.
Even when the tractor has been run and is warm the glow plug indicator comes on for a split second before I turn the key to "start". Glow plugs, at least on my L3940, are not something I can turn on or off, or have a choice as to whether they come on or not. It's automatic. And the colder it is outside the longer they will "glow" to preheat the cylinders.

On the newer B series you have to turn the key half way forward for them to come on.

 

[Piperflyer]

And there is no indicator on the B model

 

[iplumb]

And there is no indicator on the B model

I have an idicator on my dash when they are on.

 

[cycle_gator]

A simple test for the glow plugs is to use a continuity tester. Attach the clip end to the positive terminal on the battery and the probe end to the wire attachment point of the glow plug. If the test light comes on, the glow plug is good. I had a Ford 7.3 liter V-8 diesel that ate glow plugs constantly. Even in summer if 2 glow plugs were bad it would barely start. If 3 were bad chances were good you would kill the battery before it would start. Most of that was due to the way the controller worked. Nevertheless I became an expert in testing and replacing glowplugs. I always carried two spares with me.

So far, my L4310 has been fine at 860 hours. It does have an indicator light at the "run" position. Usually when it is really cold, like in the 20's, I will cycle the plugs twice before I hit the starter.

Hope this helps.

 

[bob19]

I have a B2910 and a Kubota GR2100. The glow lights on both dashes come on when I turn the key, however NEITHER one goes off. Both were bought brand new. The Kubota B2910 is about 5 years old and the GR2100 is 3 years old.

I usually keep the dash light on for 12 seconds and then start the engines. In colder weather, I will keep the glow light on for 25-30 seconds.

Am I keeping the glow lights on for too long?

The dealer did not seem concerned when I told them the glow light on the dash never went off.

Thanks,
Bob