Kubota won't start & puffs blue smoke

rhamer · Dec 21, 2009

lift pump (the one you use to prime it )

Every time I think I'm learning something, you guys throw another at me

Ok, what is a lift pump and I dont prime anything, I don't think

Cheers

Rohan

irvingj · Dec 21, 2009

tugboat.... many thanks for the kudos; sometimes --OK, often-- the "teacher" in me gets carried away..

It seems rhamer had a good understanding already; I wasn't sure.

Rohan-- the "lift pump" is the pump that will get fuel from the tank to the injector pump. I'm not sure if tractors use such things-- I kinda thought they were gravity-feed set-ups. I do know that the lift pump has been an issue on some of the Jetta TDIs, and is often the prime suspect in fuel delivery issues, after filter(s). I've never had issues with mine, but apparently many TDI owners have.

In any case, glad you've got it up & running again!

Happy Holidays to everyone.

banjodunn · Dec 21, 2009

Rohan follow the fuel line from the tank to the inj pump you may have a small pump usually round with a small lever on one side this should be your lift pump. Hope this helps

Jon

rhamer · Dec 21, 2009

Ah, now I understand.

In my case the fuel feed is gravity.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Rohan

jimmer2880 · Dec 23, 2009

tugboat-2 said:
Walt,..from up nawth,.... I'm just a tad nawth of you, up here in Canada,..but I just wanted to tell you you reminded me of a diesel-school-instructor I had way back, many, many years ago.

What a beautiful, practical and easy to understand, yet brief and very much to the point,...explanation of the "Compression-Ignition-Engine" !! Wonderful and I believe almost anyone could grasp the theory from your lecture. (AND, be better equipped to sort out some of their own `diesel`problems now.)

I'll just bet that "many" readers of that explanation,...with no previous understanding of a diesel, . . . will slap the table lightly and exclaim to no one in particular: ...WOW, . . so that`s how it works, . . son-of-gun !!!`

Nice job Walt, . . thought I should express my thoughts.

CHEERS and Merry Christmas,.... to you guys down in Oz as well !!
. . tug

I 100%, completely agree. Thank you! I've been around diesels for many years, and already knew how they worked. If I would have had your explanation in the beginning, I would be a couple years ahead of where I am today

irvingj · Dec 24, 2009

You guys are embarrassing me.... thanks very much, have a merry!

JoelD · Dec 24, 2009

I'd double check on the gravity, I don't know your machine, but my 1970's B6000E's had electric primary pump that fed the injection pump. I could hear it whine when the ignition was turned on.

I wonder if your "down on power a bit" could possibly be the rings seating themselves again after all the failed start attempts glossing the cyl. walls??? I'd expect if that was the case you see some blue smoke though.

I've had this happen with gas motors.

Joel

dcyrilc · Dec 24, 2009

irvingj said:
tugboat.... many thanks for the kudos; sometimes --OK, often-- the "teacher" in me gets carried away..

It seems rhamer had a good understanding already; I wasn't sure.

Rohan-- the "lift pump" is the pump that will get fuel from the tank to the injector pump. I'm not sure if tractors use such things-- I kinda thought they were gravity-feed set-ups. I do know that the lift pump has been an issue on some of the Jetta TDIs, and is often the prime suspect in fuel delivery issues, after filter(s). I've never had issues with mine, but apparently many TDI owners have.

In any case, glad you've got it up & running again!

Happy Holidays to everyone.

I think that most of the newer CUTs are gravity fed, but I have a 1980 JD 2240 and it does have a lift pump so it certanly is worth mentioning when talking about tractor fuel systems. As It is new to me and I will be servicing it next month, I'll make sure to check for a screen in the lift pump.

rhamer · Dec 25, 2009

Well it seems I spoke too soon.

I'm still having problems getting it to start, and it seems the longer between starts the harder it gets.

It used to be a simple matter of heating the glow plugs for a few seconds, then it would start right up.

Now it seems to start (eventually) a bit at a time and I need to keep the starter engaged while it comes to life (hope that makes sense). It sort of seems to fire then not then fire a bit more then not and then eventually run on it's own.

I watched it yesterday while I was slashing the grass and there is not a whisper of smoke of any sort when it is running. and apart from being down on power (revs) a bit at full throttle, it seems to work fine.

Any further ideas gratefully accepted.

Cheers

Rohan