Oil & Fuel kubota L245DT diesel in the oil

toolshedj132 · Feb 28, 2007

I've recently discovered through an oil analysis that I'm getting diesel fuel in the oil on my Kubota.I've got a repair manual but it doesn't say much about the injectors.I'm kind of lost as to what to do about this problem.Has anyone else had a similar situation? If so, what is the fix?Thanks for any help.

jcotta · Feb 28, 2007

I just had same problem in a John Deere 4600. Diesel in oil. The oil level was going up. Sent to dealer and he fixed the problem. Diaphram in fuel pump was leaking. He replaced the fuel pump and problem was fixed. Cost was less than $300 including $75 transport fee.

John

rbargeron · Mar 1, 2007

To add a little detail, there is a small pump on the side of the engine that transfers fuel from the tank to the injection pump. It has a lever operator reaching into the engine. (like the old low-pressure auto fuel pumps) If the diaphragm leaks, fuel could get into the crankcase. The tractor may run ok even if the diaphragm has a small leak - it gets enough fuel to the main pump so it takes over. I think a new transfer pump is only $45 or so.

redharley · Mar 1, 2007

Don't know how your using your tractor but a lot of idle time or low RPM usage will add fuel to a oil sample.

DieselPower · Mar 1, 2007

What was the exact reading in the UOA for fuel? As redharley pointed out a lot of idle time will lead to increased levels of fuel in the oil.

toolshedj132 · Mar 2, 2007

The only pump I can find on mine is the injector pump.And according to my service manual, it doesn't have a fuel transfer pump.I called my dealer, and he also said it had a transfer pump.Has anybody worked on this particular model? L245DT,probably early 80's ? Thanks for the info.

RobJ · Mar 2, 2007

toolshedj132 said:
The only pump I can find on mine is the injector pump.And according to my service manual, it doesn't have a fuel transfer pump.I called my dealer, and he also said it had a transfer pump.Has anybody worked on this particular model? L245DT,probably early 80's ? Thanks for the info.

Mine doesn't have one either, easy check just follow the fuel line from the bottom of the tank. Should pass through the filters, then transfer pump (if one), then injection pump. Can't say I've heard an injection pump fail and cause this problem but anything is possible I guess.

You didn't say how much diesel. If it's measured in PPM the I wouldn't worry. If it's it's coming up on the stick then I'd worry. How come you are doing an oil analysis? Because if this?

Rob

simonmeridew · Mar 2, 2007

Old gasoline tractors with a lot of hours on them, with serious blow by problems would "make oil". The oil in the crankcase would smell like gasoline because a good part of it was gas. Sure sign the rings needed doing. Every time you checked the oil the level would be higher on the dipstick. Of course the diluted oil didn't have the same lubricating properties as oil so the wear would accelerate.
Not sure if oil diluted with diesel has good lubricating properties but I think not. Best to get to the bottom of it
simonmeridew

Reg · Mar 2, 2007

When it happens in trucks it is usually due to a bad injector, see Powerstroke and duramax forums for details.

rbargeron · Mar 2, 2007

rbargeron said:
.... there is a small pump on the side of the engine that transfers fuel from the tank to the injection pump.......

Toolshed: my L4150 and L5450 both have transfer pumps, but my L345 may not have had one. On the early small L's the fuel tank is above and just behind the engine - maybe gravity delivers enough.