Kubota L3130 Engine Problems

[BakerMike]

Hello all,
This is my first post so please let me know if I miss something .

A few weeks ago a friend was using my 2007 Kubota tractor and called saying it quit running. While troubleshooting the problem I noticed the crank pulley was not turning when the starter was cranking. After ruling out all other possibilities and removing most of the front of the engine, it seems the crank is broken between the front cylinder and the timing gear. I have not opened the engine up all the way and was hoping to find a used engine to just swap out but I have had no luck finding one. The engine in it is the D1503-M-E. I have a few questions I'm hoping to find some more info on.
1) Is there a better place to search for used engines as the normal online searches have only turned up reman engines?
2) Will other engines work in place of the D1503-M?
- I notice the oil pan on mine has two sumps since the shaft for the front axle goes straight down the center and assume I would need to transfer it to the used motor if it was not out of a similar tractor so the bolt pattern would have to align.

I have worked on diesels before and have never seen the crankshaft just break like this, is this a known problem with this type of motor or did I just get one with a bad crank?

 

[4570Man]

Are you certain the crank is actually broken? I’ve never seen that happen on a low performance diesel before.

 

[BakerMike]

I will be pulling the engine completely out tomorrow hopefully and will be able to drop the oil pan and verify but I have the timing cover off and when I turn the flywheel the front shaft doesn't move at all. I can turn the crankshaft from the front with a pipe wrench and at a specific spot it will bind a little then pop, all the while the flywheel won't move as well. Hopefully I will have a picture after I drop the pan.

A broken crank was the last thing on my list of possible suspects for sure but I'm not sure how else I would see what I'm seeing. I looked at a parts diagram just to be sure there wasn't anything I missed.

 

[ProjectKing]

Hello all,
This is my first post so please let me know if I miss something .

A few weeks ago a friend was using my 2007 Kubota tractor and called saying it quit running. While troubleshooting the problem I noticed the crank pulley was not turning when the starter was cranking. After ruling out all other possibilities and removing most of the front of the engine, it seems the crank is broken between the front cylinder and the timing gear. I have not opened the engine up all the way and was hoping to find a used engine to just swap out but I have had no luck finding one. The engine in it is the D1503-M-E. I have a few questions I'm hoping to find some more info on.
1) Is there a better place to search for used engines as the normal online searches have only turned up reman engines?
2) Will other engines work in place of the D1503-M?
- I notice the oil pan on mine has two sumps since the shaft for the front axle goes straight down the center and assume I would need to transfer it to the used motor if it was not out of a similar tractor so the bolt pattern would have to align.

I have worked on diesels before and have never seen the crankshaft just break like this, is this a known problem with this type of motor or did I just get one with a bad crank?

Man that’s a real bummer! Good luck on the repairs. How many hours on the tractor? And what was friend doing with tractor when it broke?

 

[thepumpguysc]

I use EPS {engine power source} You have to keep after them tho.. they're BAD about shipping big ticket items..
& we'll see how good a friend you have when you hand'm a bill for 6 Grand..

 

[Agvg]

Are you lucky all you need is a new crank shaft and bearings.

Did it have any pump etc connected at the front? Damages on the pulley making vibrations?

 

[BakerMike]

Has around 800 hours on it. He was moving dirt around the backyard, nothing more than what I use it for around my place.

I have verified it was the crank as well. Looks like no other damage and I didn't have a pump connected so everything else seems to be ok.

 

[BakerMike]

Noticed it looked like the tractor had been apart before. Wondering if that was the cause, the rod bearing have some pitting in them but not sure if that's from when it broke.

 

[ProjectKing]

Wow that’s a very unusual failure especially at only 800 hours! I wish you best of luck in repair.

 

[Agvg]

Look for any unusual wear pattern on the main bearings, be careful to check that all main bearings are in line, if it's been apart before it can be all kinds of bad workmanship.

 

[BakerMike]

So finally got a chance to tear into it more, a few bent rods and a lot of carbon build up in the cylinders. There is some scarring on the cylinder walls, it looks to me like whoever owned this before never took care of it (possibly one reason for the broken crank). I went ahead and got a new motor shipped, should be here in a few weeks.

 

[Dave M7040]

I would be checking the intake system for a cracked hose or something allowing air to bypass the filter. Also if it is possible rain got into the cylinder(s) causing a hydraulic lock when cranking.

Dave M7040

 

[thepumpguysc]

Mike, Where did you get the new engine?? Is it a reman or NEW.??
Do you have to send the old one back??
I could use the inj. pump off of it, if your gonna scrap the motor..
How about price, was it reasonable?
Is the neighbor gonna "kick in" on the cost??

 

[Eagleview]

The only thing I can think of is, the engine has had a coolant leak into that cylinder . Possibly because the head bolts were not re torqued after the apparent rebuild by the previous owner . That piston may have had water/coolant on top of it when it was started, which bends rods and can also break cranks .
It may have even ran like that for a while, without the front pulley and fan turning if the operator hasn't got an ear for things .

 

[BakerMike]

I got a reman engine from a place in OH. From the sound of it though I won't get much for the core if I do send it back so I will probably just keep the old motor. I believe the reman has everything but the starter, flywheel, etc. If that's the case I'd be happy to send you the inj pump. I'll update in a week or so when the new one gets here. As to the cost, with the core charge and shipping it was just under $4800. Neighbor has agreed on paying half so not too bad.

 

[thepumpguysc]

That's GREAT NEWS on the neighbor helping out..
Yeah, I'd love to have that pump for a core & parts.. they're getting harder & harder to come by..
I was doing 1 last week & needed 2> .50 parts.. because the customer took it apart & lost them..
They had to come from Japan w/ a 2 WEEK shipping time & I HAD TO buy 10 each.!!!!
FOR 2> .50 CENT PARTS.!!!!