Kubota L1802DT won't start

[rhamer]

I have somehow broken my tractor and it won't start.

It's a 20hp 3 cyl diesel kubota engine from around 1985.

It's a grey market import and was completely rebuilt before I got it about 4 years ago.

Anyway it has been operating flawlessly, untill I did some work on it.

I parked it into the shed and removed the left hand side panel so I could get the radiator out. I have put it back together except for the side panel, but it won't start.

I can't even imagine what is going on, as I really havent touched anything except the radiator.

It cranks fine, just wont fire.

One thing I did notice is usually when it cranks first thing in the morning I get little whisps of smoke from the exhaust just before it starts, however now I don't see any smoke when cranking. I wonder if the problem is the glow plugs are not heating?

Is there a way I can check there is voltage going to the glow plugs? There is a sort of coil thing on the dash that heats as well when I turn the key to heat the glow plugs, and it gets hot as per normal.

I'm sure it is something I've done, as it has never failed to start before, and now won't even give a cough. Perhaps I've knocked off a wire or something? It is very basic with it's wiring, and no electronics other than the regulator.

Does anybody have any ideas?

Cheers

Rohan

 

[ampa]

I own a 3 cyl diesel graymarket ISEKI and in this time of the year over here in Canada I don't need to use the glowplugs,.... have you checked to see if your not out of fuel, if so you would have to bleed the fuel lines to get it back up and runnin', I know you said you touched nothing to make it not start, you should see black smoke comming from the exhaust when turning it over via the starter and then it should fire right up as mine does without the use of the glowplugs, the engine must be in real good condition compression wise, AMPA

 

[rhamer]

Well I eventually got it to go.

When I said it was cranking fine, I was not quite right.

It would slow with compression, then pick up, then slow again and so fourth.

I finally got it running by just holding it on crank for about 30 sec untill it finally coughed and started. At which point it blew a shower of wet black crap out the exhaust and all over me.

It now starts and runs fine, just like it used to.

Cheers

Rohan

 

[banjodunn]

G'day Rohan you have got me a bit puzzled you say you pulled the rad out was it leaking or were you loosing coolant The shower of water you got and the sluggish cranking makes me think you have got a problem with the head gasket or head. The cranking problem sounds to me like you have had water in the cyl's as you found by the wet exh i would be looking further into it , check the eng oil to make sure it is not milky in colour (a sign of water in the oil) Be careful if you have as cranking the engine with a cylinder full of water can bend conrods. I hope you don't find anything too serious. One way to check for a dodgy head/gasket is to remove the radiator cap when cold and start the engine if it starts blowing the water out or you can see bubbles in the water a sure sign of problems


Jon