I went into the big city today to get some T6 5W40, a fuel filter and an oil filter. Picked up the oil but the darn dealer was closed. What a waste of 3 hrs. I may go back tomorrow to get the filters. When I got home it had warmed up to -25 so I figured I would try starting the tractor without using the block heater and use a 1500W electric heater under the engine compartment to see if that would work. I wrapped the hood with a moving blanket and then covered it with a tarp that went all the way to the ground. I left the heater under the engine, on high, for 2 hours and then gave it a try. After turning the key on, the GP indicator came on and stayed on for about 8 seconds. I then cranked the engine. It turned over easily and very quickly but was not initially firing it took a while before it started to fire but it eventually started up. It ran rough and made some noises I have not heard before but it settled down after a few minutes. I let it warm up for about 20 minutes at 1200 rpm. That is what the Owners Manual states for temps below -20C. Then I took it for a drive and got it up to operating temperature. It ran like always and is now parked back in the equipment shed for the night. Tomorrow I may take the FEL and rear snow blowers off so I can run the tractor in to the heated shop to test the GP's. I m very glad I didn't have gelled fuel and that I got it running, although I still think there is something that is not right. According to the weather man, the coldest weather is behind us. After tonight the temps are supposed to get no lower than -26C, so I should be ok for a while.
L6060 Hard Starting In Cold Weather
- Thread starter Hilbilly
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oosik
Epic Contributor
Something with your electronics is not right. I have a 2009 Kubota M6040. It was 6F when I went out and started the tractor this morning. It turned over easily and fired right up. The only assist on the tractor - a battery maintainer.
The tractor sits in an open carport stall - I run Rotella T4 - 15W40.
The tractor sits in an open carport stall - I run Rotella T4 - 15W40.
I agree and now something else rears its ugly head.
While looking for the GP's, to see how hard they will be to get at, in order to test their resistance, I noticed what appears to be a leaking fuel line or injector. At least I think this is an injector. That liquid on it is definitely diesel. I'm calling the dealer tomorrow to discuss this and the hard starting issue.
seville009
Veteran Member
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Just a few general comments
I use a Noco Genius GB150 jump pack on my diesel skidsteer when it's really cold (sun zero) and the battery is weak and it's not in a spot that I can plug in the block heater. Those jump packs are extremely strong and are well worth the cost. Always fires right up.
sometimes in the sun zero temps, when it is first started, it runs really rough; just let it keep running/idling though until it warms up and it works fine.
I also use one of those diesel/kerosine torpedo heaters occasionally to defrost the actual skidsteer - stays outside, so the thaw/re-freezing occasionally freezes up mechanical components.
the only times I have experienced gelling issues, it never affected starting or idling, but only when I increased the rpm's the engine would lug and die. Couldn't handle the required additional fuel flow
I use a Noco Genius GB150 jump pack on my diesel skidsteer when it's really cold (sun zero) and the battery is weak and it's not in a spot that I can plug in the block heater. Those jump packs are extremely strong and are well worth the cost. Always fires right up.
sometimes in the sun zero temps, when it is first started, it runs really rough; just let it keep running/idling though until it warms up and it works fine.
I also use one of those diesel/kerosine torpedo heaters occasionally to defrost the actual skidsteer - stays outside, so the thaw/re-freezing occasionally freezes up mechanical components.
the only times I have experienced gelling issues, it never affected starting or idling, but only when I increased the rpm's the engine would lug and die. Couldn't handle the required additional fuel flow
hayden
Veteran Member
All your symptoms suggest glow plugs that aren't running, or aren't running long enough. I like the theory that the block heater is fooling the ECU into not running the glow plugs much, if at all. I'd try turning off the block heater, then run two glow plug cycles and see how she starts. I don't know how different my 5740 is, but I have never used a block heater and it always starts right away, even in -20C. Same with my KX-121, and KX-080. If there is any way to get a clamp-on ammeter on the glow plug wires, that will tell you conclusively if and for how long they are running.
The Basic Warranty has expired, however there is still engine and emission warranty coverage. From what I can see the GP's are not covered in the existing warranties and I doubt the block heater is either. I hope the injectors are though. I will find out tomorrow when I call the dealer. If it is simply the GP's, I'm pretty sure that I can handle that replacement and save the cost of them picking up the tractor plus the expensive labor costs.
Like Tractors
Silver Member
Fix the fuel leak first, that is also an air leak into the fuel system when the engine isn't running, the fuel tank is below the level of the visible leak. As the machine sets, air is allowed into the fuel system at that leak area, then when starting, the fuel system has to compress the air then bleed the air out before fuel pressure is high enough to actuate the injectors. Fix that first!
ruffdog
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One thing to note....anti gel fuel treatment should be MIXED into fuel when it is ABOVE the cloud point which is about 15F. For those cold temps, the OP should be blending at least at 70/30 mix.
Maybe that was the knocking I was hearing, when trying to start it. Maybe the leaking injector was not yet adding fuel to the cylinder. I want to check with the dealer regarding what is covered under my current warranty. I don't want to be fooling around with something that is covered and then have them deny coverage because of something I did.
I did add antigel to my storage tank before the cold spell hit and made sure to mix it up by pumping fuel back into the tank for a few minutes. ie pump out of the tank and back into it. I followed the directions on the label for protection down to -45*C. Any chance this could have caused the injector problem? It would be an easy out for the manufacturer to blame the problem on the fuel.
Weatherman was wrong again and the temps are -31*C this morning. I'm going to try to get it started and then run it into the shop to get everything warmed up before I do anything else.