Kubota L3540 won't start

[Robin Veerman]

Once I actually put diesel in a gas can because I didn't have my yellow cans handy. When I went to use it the next time I couldn't determine if I was smelling gas or diesel. I will never do that again!!!

 

[CyberCop]

downloaded the manual and all it talks about is opening the air vent cock, which I have tried numerous times. Guess I'm going to get a onsite visit to get me past this screw up

 

[CH4Ohio]

Just curious -- Does the glow plug light on the dash come on when you turn the key to ON? Does it go off after a few seconds indicating that it's ready to start?

Had the tractor been completely run out of fuel till the engine died prior to all of this happening?

If you think the "blue" container might have contained kerosene instead of diesel, I wouldn't worry about that issue anymore. It's not like water or DEF, etc. might have been introduced into the system.

When you changed the fuel filter, did you have good fuel flow from the tank? Did you happen to take the rubber fuel line off at the inlet of the fuel filter housing when you drained the fuel tank? Did you have black gunk in the fuel that drained out of the hose and the tank? I've had mine plug up completely from that gooey algae gunk that collects in the bottom of the tank.

If you have good fuel flow to the fuel filter, and if the tractor has been running normally recently, and if you now have clean fresh diesel only in the tank, . . . open the knurled knob bleed valve and keep cranking it. As mentioned, just let your starter cool off occasionally. When I run my 5740 out of fuel, it takes a lot of cranking to get it started back up.

Good luck with it.

 

[CyberCop]

Thanks CH4Ohio, I did check all you asked. One issue I found was I did not have the spring in the filter cup or the o-ring at the top of the filter. I'm guessing that the new filter did not come with one AND those might have been dropped out during my "helper" trying to help out or they were not there in the first place (not the original owner). I have a new filter/water separator assembly coming in today.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Thanks CH4Ohio, I did check all you asked. One issue I found was I did not have the spring in the filter cup or the o-ring at the top of the filter. I'm guessing that the new filter did not come with one AND those might have been dropped out during my "helper" trying to help out or they were not there in the first place (not the original owner). I have a new filter/water separator assembly coming in today.

You're right. The filter doesn't come with the O-ring or spring. Sounds like that may be keeping you from getting fuel past that point . . . is that what you're thinking too?

If it was running properly before all this happened, it has to be something simple. Sounds like you've found the problem. Good luck with it.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Id think no seal on the filter would be an issue

 

[CyberCop]

Put a complete new filter assembly on. Tried cranking for over a hour. Starts to sputter some and I would get excited. Then back to turning over giving the starter a break.

About to pull the plug and have a service visit.

 

[TMGT]

Do you have a lever on the lift pump to manually pump by hand? If so, open the bleeder and manually pump until you get a good clean flow of fuel out.

Then close the bleeder and crack all the hard line nuts at the injectors.

Crank until you have fuel coming out, then tighten the injector lines.

It should start.

Check the main fuse and the fuel stop solenoid fuse.


Is the fuel bowl full or is there an air pocket at the top?

Also, sometimes if the voltage gets low enough while cranking, the fuel solenoid won't open and it'll just crank.

 

[CyberCop]

No manual pump on filter, thanks for the thought
Fuel bowl is full
Got the tractor on a jump so I know there is enough voltage.

 

[CyberCop]

Does anyone know what the torx screws at the bottom of each injector is for? Bleeding without loosening the injector?