L3540 cold starting

[vrmnthntr]

Went and had the battery load tested at the dealer. They said it was weak and to run it more. I suggested a battery maintainer and they said that would work.

When I got home I figured I would try the battery on a slow charge again. And it was less than 50%.

I hate to toss a battery if its good. I will get a battery tender and try that.

Thanks to those who offered advice and opinions. I wasn't trying to look too deep into it. But I couldn't believe it was the battery after a year and a half.

After reading some other threads about short battery life from new tractors, I figured it was definitely a possibility.

 

[The Fred]

Thanks for the numbers. I need to get a service manual to see how the injection timing is adjusted on this engine.

Think you'll find that advancing the timing will be a bit of a pain to accomplish. Mine's right on 17 BTDC. Ask me how I know?

Have your battery load tested by a professional that knows something about batteries. If in doubt change it out, with the largest one that fits in the box OR similar sized with max CCA. Then buy a battery maintainer OR a 55 amp power supply; one that monitors voltage NOT amperage. Proper battery charging is done up to 14.4 volts not 16-17 like most old school battery chargers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IOTA-12-VOLT-55-AMP-IQ4-BATTERY-CHARGER-POWER-SUPPLY-/320685870153


Fred

 

[RFB]

Whenever I replace a battery on anything that I deem as mission critical, I use the Starved Electrolyte (AGM) type by Odyssey, and maintain it with a smart charger/maintainer.

The Minnkota MK 115 PC is on my next tender list purchase.

http://store.minnkotamotors.com/products/607639/MK_115PC_(1_bank)

 

[Papasmirf]

I do closely the same, but use Interstate batteries and they have worked well. I'm wondering, since I forgot to tell him too, have the battery cables and posts been cleaned.

 

[Chilly807]

A lot of start cycles, short runs, and a relatively small alternator is a classic recipe for poor battery charge. The maintainer should cure the problem, if it were me I'd wire in a small polarity sensitive plug to hook up the charger on a regular basis.

Sean

 

[vrmnthntr]

I replaced the battery with a new one after charging the original one after the same results (50 degrees the tractor started fine, 40 degrees was slower).

With the new battery I thought I had the problem taken care of. Yesterday after we received snow I started the tractor in the garage which was 38 degrees. It started ok, but not as fast as I would have liked.

I left the tractor out last night so the snow wouldn't melt in the garage. Went out to start it (6 degrees), cycled the glow plugs twice (they were on for 10 seconds each automatically) and it turned over slow just like the old battery was in it. I then hooked a jump pack to it and it turned over a bit faster, but did not start it. The link below is with the jump pack on. I did not want to turn it over too much because I did not know if I could cause any damage. I tried it again afterwards with the battery charger on start mode. No start.

I'm not a mechanic, but is this issues with the glow plugs? My RTV sat outside all night and started up immediately. My B7800 I had for almost 5 years did not have any starting problems in the cold.

Kubota L3540 cold start - YouTube

 

[BeezFun]

Went out to start it (6 degrees), cycled the glow plugs twice (they were on for 10 seconds each automatically) and it turned over slow just like the old battery was in it.

If it was 6 degrees in that video, I think it's turning over fine, it just isn't starting. So I don't think there's anything wrong with battery or starter. In 6 degree weather mine would not turn over any faster but would start after just a few seconds. I'd do simple stuff first like check glow plug resistance, look for water in fuel filter.

 

[diesel lover]

I'm not a Kubota mechanic directly, but I work full time at a truck shop and have years of experience with large trucks. Your engine is turning over okay could be a little faster but not bad none the less. I agree that your fuel may not be combusting like it should in order for your engine to start. Do you have a block heater you can plug in for 3 or 4 hours before start up?
Where are you positioning your throttle ? On off road equipment throttle position can help with cold start ups. I am not sure where Kubota recommends to place the throttle but it may need to be placed 1/4 or so. I don't know how diesel fuel is in your area but you may have to add a white bottle of power service to lower your diesel fuel ignition temps.

I also agree with the post above if you have water in a modern blend of diesel fuel it will stay mixed in for longer before seperating. Might need to change your fuel filter/ or water sepperator.

 

[diesel lover]

* and yes as you said before may need to inspect glow plugs and glow plug relays

 

[vrmnthntr]

The fuel filter was changed 2 weeks ago and I add power service to my fuel during the winter.

The throttle was at the minimum.

 

[vrmnthntr]

Also I do not have a block heater. Temps this low are rare. The average low for this time of year is around the 20's.

 

[Baby Grand]

Next time, try starting with the throttle set at 1/4 or 1/3 above idle.
This, along with 2 or 3 glow plug preheats in 10 degF or colder seems to help our L3240 with a 7 YO battery to fire up faster in an unheated garage.
Also, give your battery terminals a quick cleanup with a terminal brush, just in case.

 

[Chilly807]

Might be a glow plug issue... or just reluctant in cold weather. I'd like to see cranking speed a tad higher, but I kept expecting it to fire, so it's not obviously slow. I think an hour with a block heater would have done the trick. Throttle position should make no difference, the governor is calling for max fuel on start-up anyway. Once it fires, advancing the throttle will give smoother running however.

Sean

 

[wmonroe]

On my tractor there is a very distinctive "click" when the glow plug relay pulls in. I would check to make sure you are getting power to the glow plugs and that they are working.

 

[vrmnthntr]

I finally got it to start a little later. The air temp was around 19.

I put the throttle down a little. It didn't start right away. Turned over slowly like the video. I kept on the starter more than I liked to start it. I did cycle the glow plugs 3 times instead of 2.

I can definitely hear the glow plug relay clicking.

I think I may get the glow plugs checked so I am not so paranoid about it.

With the tractor being less than 2 years old, would the warranty take care of glow plug issue IF something was found wrong?

If everything checks out OK then I would consider a block heater.

 

[diesel lover]

I'm surprised your L3540 is only 2 years old and doesn't have a block heater ... I guess it came from the factor without one?

 

[diesel lover]

Tell you what, being your engine is a 3 cylinder, 111 cubic inch engine I would highly recommend a lower radiator hose heater in the highest watt ratting you can buy! With a smaller engine as yours they can work rather well! Just like a block heater or freeze plug type these have the same type of element in them. When installed correctly they work rather well! The hose heated style element will heat coolant from the radiator and thermostatically push it into the engine. These are only worth the money if you buy the highest watt rating. For around less than 50$ you could have a good one. The electric does not cost much if plugged in for 5 hours or less. You can use a Xmas light timer as they are rated up to 1850 watts (most of them) for under 15$.

If you have an available freeze plug a freeze plug mounted heater can work very well! That's what I have in my 1/2 ton ford with a 4.2 V6. 50- 70$ or so.

I just thought the newer kubbota tractors had block heaters but I guess not nessisarily. The old B series did not have them. I would still be checking positive and negative battery cables or connections. You never know. Something could have came from the factory loose

 

[vrmnthntr]

I am not aware of a block heater on the tractor. Honestly I never looked and assumed it was an option.

I will definitely look into some type of heater just in case I do need it.

 

[diesel lover]

I'm trying to do some research here. Semi truck engines have a pipe plug you remove and you can screw a block heater right into that pipe plug fitting! Pretty easy if you have the space and that would be your best option

Looks like 90% of newer tractor's diesel engines have that ability.

 

[RFB]

On the L series there is an expansion plug (metal disc) punched a hole into it with a big screwdriver and pried it out. Used a pair of visegrips to grab the first edge as it levered sideways to get a good grip on it.

The heater comes with a metal srew on sleeve to friction fit push into the block. Covered the outside diameter of the sleeve with sealant, started it into the block with a dead blow mallet, drove it home with a single jack and a short wood block. Screwed in the heater into the sleeve, let sealant cure, replaced coolant, done.

The VT3300 Kubota generator motor had direct access, had a screw out pipe plug; drain coolant, remove plug, install heater with sealant, replace coolant. Done.