L6060 Engine Noise Getting Louder

[mrblanche]

I'm not a mechanic, and I don't play one on TV, but just because the manual says you can go 400 hours, I'm not sure I would. I would probably change the engine oil every spring. It's not just dirt that causes problems, it's condensation, especially bad in the winter in cold climates.

That said, if oil that is two years old can cause a serious problem on the first cycle, I'd be little nervous.

 

[crazyal]

I made the mistake of saying KTAC in that other thread when I really meant Orange Protection. OP basically continues your warranty. It's not super cheap but if you are worried it would offer you peace of mind. You would need to purchase it before your warranty runs out.

A friend bought a new Toyota truck back in the early 90s. At about 35k miles he felt the engine was making a bit more noise than it should have been. The dealer said it was nothing. At 40k one of the main bearings went. The dealer was very good and covered it because it was documented before the warranty was up but they could have fought it. Even the best brand isn't perfect. See what your dealer says and go from there.

 

[Hilbilly]

I just got a reply from the dealer and he says it sounds like an injector or pump issue and they want me to bring it in for them to go over. I'm waiting to see if they have a tractor delivery in my area, so they could pick up my tractor on the return trip. Otherwise I will have to insure my trailer and take it in myself.

I also asked them to have their extended warranty person call me to discuss cost and details of coverage.

 

[gtbensley]

Great they are saying just off sound it might have an issue. That's a big step

 

[Username Taken]

If it were me, and I know it isn't, I'd put some quality fuel treatment in her. God only knows what your version of the EPA is making them put in the fuel these days.

But you've got a Direct Injection engine and the fuel pumps can be pretty noisy when they don't get the lubricity they want. Don't overdo it.

At least, if you do it and there's no improvement, you're not out a lot of money and it doesn't do any harm, might even do some good.

Yup.

I should add: When fuel pumps go, they can sometimes do terminal damage to your engine.

 

[Like Tractors]

I just got a reply from the dealer and he says it sounds like an injector or pump issue and they want me to bring it in for them to go over. I'm waiting to see if they have a tractor delivery in my area, so they could pick up my tractor on the return trip. Otherwise I will have to insure my trailer and take it in myself.

I also asked them to have their extended warranty person call me to discuss cost and details of coverage.

That sound is normal, save yourself the cost of taking it to the dealer. The sound change occurs at exactly 27 degrees C coolant temperature every time, it is part of the engine control strategy. I have an L6060 which has done the same combustion sound change since it was new. I do dynamic testing and repair on common rail diesels.

 

[Hilbilly]

That sound is normal, save yourself the cost of taking it to the dealer. The sound change occurs at exactly 27 degrees C coolant temperature every time, it is part of the engine control strategy. I have an L6060 which has done the same combustion sound change since it was new. I do dynamic testing and repair on common rail diesels.

Please explain the logic or reason there is a change at that temp and what causes that noise. Not arguing, just wanting to know. FYI this tractor did not make this sound when it was new or for a considerable time afterwards. That is one of the reasons I am concerned. If it had been doing it all along, I would not even notice it. However something has changed and that may not be a good thing. Might not be bad either but I need to know before the warranty expires.

Seems there are 2 schools of thought here. 1) ignore the sound it is normal and 2) could be something and that could lead to terminal engine damage. Since It is under warranty, I would prefer to know for sure and will definitely take it to the dealers for a check up. I would rather spend a few hundred $ to know there isn't a problem than to ignore it and find out there is a costly problem that shows up after it's out of warranty. Cheap insurance in book and peace of mind.

 

[Like Tractors]

Please explain the logic or reason there is a change at that temp and what causes that noise. Not arguing, just wanting to know. FYI this tractor did not make this sound when it was new or for a considerable time afterwards. That is one of the reasons I am concerned. If it had been doing it all along, I would not even notice it. However something has changed and that may not be a good thing. Might not be bad either but I need to know before the warranty expires.

Seems there are 2 schools of thought here. 1) ignore the sound it is normal and 2) could be something and that could lead to terminal engine damage. Since It is under warranty, I would prefer to know for sure and will definitely take it to the dealers for a check up. I would rather spend a few hundred $ to know there isn't a problem than to ignore it and find out there is a costly problem that shows up after it's out of warranty. Cheap insurance in book and peace of mind.

I didn't write the software, but I am telling you it is programmed to change timing at that temperature which changes the combustion sound. If you ****** the timing exhaust temperatures go up, which can be helpful for Diesel Oxidation Catalyst and reducing emissions overall. I can not explain why you didn't notice it from new. Put the dash display in the test mode "A", start the engine and idle at 1000 RPM or so, watch the engine temp and listen for the sound, 27 degrees C which equates to approximately 81 degrees F. By all means do what makes you feel good about your tractor. I wouldn't let a dealership touch my tractor for what sound is in the video you posted.

 

[Hilbilly]

I didn't write the software, but I am telling you it is programmed to change timing at that temperature which changes the combustion sound. If you ****** the timing exhaust temperatures go up, which can be helpful for Diesel Oxidation Catalyst and reducing emissions overall. I can not explain why you didn't notice it from new. Put the dash display in the test mode "A", start the engine and idle at 1000 RPM or so, watch the engine temp and listen for the sound, 27 degrees C which equates to approximately 81 degrees F. By all means do what makes you feel good about your tractor. I wouldn't let a dealership touch my tractor for what sound is in the video you posted.

When I put the display in service inspect mode A, the owners manual shows it will display the last engine oil change hrs. How do I get it to display the coolant temp. I can't find that in the manual?

 

[Like Tractors]

When I put the display in service inspect mode A, the owners manual shows it will display the last engine oil change hrs. How do I get it to display the coolant temp. I can't find that in the manual?

I am pretty sure it is in the owner's manual or the assembly manual, I know for sure it is in the Work Shop Manual. While holding down the two buttons, Mode and Select, turn the key on then release the buttons. It helps if you hold your tongue just right and recite Japanese phrases.

 

[Hilbilly]

It's not in the owners manual, so I guess it is in the service manual, which I don't have. I am going into the City today and if I have time I will swing by the dealers and see if he has any L series tractors that he will start up to see if they do the same thing. I will also ask about the temp reading access.

 

[5030]

One thing I always do is purchase the WSM for mine. The WSM really tells you everything you might want to know. The owners manual really tells you nothing except required maintenance and a bunch of don't do stuff.

 

[Username Taken]

One thing I always do is purchase the WSM for mine. The WSM really tells you everything you might want to know. The owners manual really tells you nothing except required maintenance and a bunch of don't do stuff.

Agree. The Service Manual is written by Engineers, the Owners Manual is written by lawyers.

And the sound I heard, (my opinion is meaningless) just didn't sound rythmic. Didn't sound like it had anything to do with the engine itself.
But that's from a youtube video so that is worthless. It just sounded -- Different.

 

[5030]

If I put any credence in you tube video's and comments on this site from people, my head would explode. It hasn't yet because I take most everything on YT and here as entertainment and not much else.

People today seem to have way too much idle time on their hands so they complain about nothing that a little common sense would rectify.

 

[JethroB]

It's not in the owners manual, so I guess it is in the service manual, which I don't have. I am going into the City today and if I have time I will swing by the dealers and see if he has any L series tractors that he will start up to see if they do the same thing. I will also ask about the temp reading access.

The WSM is available here at no charge.

Index of Kubotabooks/Tractor Owners Manuals/

 

[Hilbilly]

The WSM is available here at no charge.

Index of Kubotabooks/Tractor Owners Manuals/

If I read that right, those are the Owners Manuals not the Service manuals. I already have the Owners manual. I will check into getting the Service Manual. I downloaded the Service manual for my skidsteer and that is very informative and has helped me troubleshoot / repair a lot of stuff on that old machine. I think it was $20 CAD. Well worth the money.

So I went to the dealers today and talked to their head mechanic. Great guy and very helpful. I told him about the information "Like Tractors" offered and he said it made sense to him ( I hope I got the information right). He offered to start up a new L4760 and we both listened to the engine from start up to warm up. Immediately after he started the tractor I noticed the engine was quieter than mine but that could be due to the fact that the tractor is new and was not turbo'ed (according to him). In any case we both listened to the engine and around 3 minutes after start up I thought I heard a slight change in the engine sound but wasn't sure. He said he didn't hear any change but we were talking at the time and maybe he missed it. The change, if there was one, was almost imperceptible. Right after, what I thought to be the sound change, he pulled up the engine temp on the Intellipanel and it was 29*C. I suspect the change occurred around 27*C as "Like Tractors" suggested.

My take from this is; 1) my memory is correct, in that my tractor did not experience this noise change when it was new and 2) "Like Tractors" information is probably correct about the change at 27*C. I say probably because I only thought I heard a change and the mechanic did not hear one. I'm going accept the 27*C change as being correct (thank you Like Tractors) and attribute the louder noise on my tractor, to it having some hours on it.

I ran the tractor for a few hours today and got off to listen to the the engine, afterwards. It sounded fine and quieter than it did at start up.

I was told that the tractor still has Emissions Warranty and Drivetrain Warranty for a few more years, so if there is something wrong with the fuel system, it should be covered for a few more years. I will mull this over for a bit to decide if I will take the tractor in for a checkup or see if the noise changes.

I want to thank "Like Tractors" for his technical input. Much appreciated.

For those suggesting I am not using common sense, I offer a . I have a very logical mind and common sense tells me that if the sounds coming from my machine (be it a tractor, truck, car, excavator, skidsteer, etc.) change then there might be something wrong and it's best to investigate before it becomes a very expensive repair. That logic has saved me many times over the years.

 

[JethroB]

The WSM is available here at no charge.

Index of Kubotabooks/Tractor Owners Manuals/

There is a workshop manual there if interested. Look for L3560 to L6060 WSM.pdf. They share common manuals.

 

[Hilbilly]

There is a workshop manual there if interested. Look for L3560 to L6060 WSM.pdf. They share common manuals.

Thanks! I found it this time and downloaded it. Good find.

 

[crazyal]

I would still have the dealer look at it. Yes it's kind of a pain to get it there but once they look at it then it's documented. I wouldn't doubt that the tractor's computer could make an adjustment at a specific temperature and I know cars often learn as they get used so when new it could have been quieter and now the computer is making a larger adjustment. It could also be, in part, that now that you have more seat time on it you are more in tune with your tractor. How many times have you read of a person saying the mechanic didn't hear or feel what the owner has?

 

[Hilbilly]

After downloading the WSM, I set the Intellipanel to show the engine temp and just as Likes Tractors said, the increased noise started exactly when the engine temp hit 27*C. I will pass this info on to the dealer's mechanic I was talking to and see if he still wants me to bring it in. I'd prefer not to go through the hassle but might still consider doing so. The rush is however over, since I found out there is still lots of warranty on the components that are involved.

If nothing else, I have learned something new and acquired a WSM for the tractor.

Thanks guys!