L3540 cold starting
- Thread starter vrmnthntr
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Baby Grand
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- Windsor, CT.
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- Kubotas: L3240GST B2320HST B5100D & G5200H
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.
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
Elite Member
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
Sean
wmonroe
Elite Member
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.
OP
vrmnthntr
Silver Member
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.
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
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- Ferg. To 20, 1956 Massey F. MF 25 diesel, Ferg. 40, 1944 John D. A, 1965 cockshutt 40,
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
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- Ferg. To 20, 1956 Massey F. MF 25 diesel, Ferg. 40, 1944 John D. A, 1965 cockshutt 40,
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
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
diesel lover
Platinum Member
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- 643
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- whites town indiana
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- Ferg. To 20, 1956 Massey F. MF 25 diesel, Ferg. 40, 1944 John D. A, 1965 cockshutt 40,
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.
Looks like 90% of newer tractor's diesel engines have that ability.
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.
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.