LK2554 lacks engine power

majsig · Jun 27, 2006

Kioti lk2554 w/ front end loader, 400hrs. I am experiencing very low power (crawls in high gear). I have changed the oil, the trans/hydro fluid, cleaned the hrydo filter, cleaned air cleaner, fuel filter. The engine sounds like it is running fine, no change from before when I had no problems. Didnt experience the problems until after using a 3pt PTO auger. Is it possible to have too much hydro fluid? Also this problem didnt begin until after i changed the oil. I used a wix filter #51182 that i cross referenced. I did notice that the filter is bigger (longer) than previous filter. Is there a possibilty of oil pressure problems? or fuel pump problems? I hope it's not a mechanical problem.

Thanks
Tim

depratt_equip · Jun 27, 2006

by "crawls" what do you mean? Travel speed? Trans/hyd oil will not affect this. I assume you are in high range? engine rpms ok?

bncsauve · Jun 28, 2006

It's hard to understand completely what you're experiencing, but if you mean you are in the highest(fastest) gear and the engine is at full rpms and you are just barely moving, it sounds like it has to be a slipping clutch.

majsig · Jun 28, 2006

Thanks for both of your responses. Yes it crawls, struggles, when the pedal is to the to floor, when in high gear at high rpm. Engine revs without any problems. If it is the clutch, how long will it take to repair, and how much $$?

Tim

bncsauve · Jun 28, 2006

I would check the clutch adjustment first, and maybe do a clutch search in the forum. I sort of remember someone with a slipping clutch and that they had some good tips on fixing it.

majsig · Jun 29, 2006

Thanks, but I didn’t get a chance to check this out. Reason being is I couldn’t get the darn thing to start. Evidently while messing with the fuel filter I some how starved the engine and no fuel is making it to the injectors. I tried starter fluid but that made it knock real bad. And eventually ran the battery down. I heard that you never want to run out of diesel, we'll now I know. Any suggestions?

kentrodngun · Jun 29, 2006

Procedure would be (I believe) one of two methods. In either case, fill the tank first. Your owner's manual should instruct you to loosen the air vent cock on the injector pump a few turns. This should eliminate the air bubbles in the line. Then tighten it back up and start er up.
In more extreme cases and older units, you might need to crack open each injector and crank the engine until some fuel leaks out. Do this for each of the injectors and the air will be bled out of the lines.
Personally, I've only used the former method described and have never had to use the latter. I only have heard about this procedure from my diesel mechanic friends and was I gun shy of it as it can leak fuel on the engine and I hate cleaning up stuff. Good luck & keep us posted.

bbse · Jun 30, 2006

majsig said:
Thanks, but I didn’t get a chance to check this out. Reason being is I couldn’t get the darn thing to start. Evidently while messing with the fuel filter I some how starved the engine and no fuel is making it to the injectors. I tried starter fluid but that made it knock real bad. And eventually ran the battery down. I heard that you never want to run out of diesel, we'll now I know. Any suggestions?

Lay off the starter fluid unless you want a hole in your piston. .......I say again, don't use starter fluid................Kentrodngun has it right. I have bled the system both ways on my 3054 which should be like your 2554. You can use the air bleed valve on the pump. Follow the fuel lines and eventually you will see a valve with a little wheel on the side. Open it counter clockwise and crank it. Mine actually started and ran so I just screwed it back in and went on my way. Another time, when I had the fuel system completely apart I had to crack each injector line at the head and crank it until it gave a small squirt of fuel. No big mess at all.

majsig · Jun 30, 2006

Thanks, i opened two of the lines at the injectors, cranked it for a few seconds until i got steady flow of fuel, tightened them back up and it started right up.

Now i have to figure out how to get the clutch repaired.