Looking at buying a tractor

[LT1Pat]

I'm looking at buying a Kubota L245DT but the owner says that it may need a rebuild due to smoke on startup but once it's running it seems to go away. The hour meter shows 1200 hours but the cable was broken for an unknown period of time before he owned it. Knowing and disclosing that it needs work he has it priced pretty cheap. It starts ok using the glow plugs and it's still usable besides the smoking at startup and doesn't seem to be losing oil.

Here are a few videos of it cold vs warm running and he think it's running a bit louder than it's supposed to. In the first video I hear something rattling but I'm not sure if it's the resonance of the room or the throw out bearing or such. I haven't seen it in person since I plan on driving down to get it this weekend.

YouTube - Kubota L245DT smoking on startup

YouTube - Kubota L245DT

What am I in for to get it to tip top shape? is it likely to need a bottom end rebuild or is the startup smoke somewhat normal? Is a louder tractor usually due to a worn out muffler or could it be caused by more serious problems?

Like I mentioned the owner is selling it knowing that it needs work and I want to buy it knowing that it needs some work but I'm just trying to feel out how much work it will need.

Thanks!

 

[nybirdman]

All diesels smoke at start-up:may just be a burnt out glow plug.Have it checked out by a diesel mechanic.Videos were too short to really hear much.

 

[LT1Pat]

He also mentioned that it seems to not have the power it should. Does this sound more like a fuel delivery issue than a blowby issue?

All diesels smoke at start-up:may just be a burnt out glow plug.Have it checked out by a diesel mechanic.Videos were too short to really hear much.

 

[jonyyuma]

How about the compression???, that is a older model tractor..Figure heavy on the engine noises, above normal. Kubotas are not know for the parts being cheaper, but there are a lot of sources.

 

[LT1Pat]

I guess I won't know until I bring it home. I found a rebuilt kit if it is poor compression for ~$800 but that's not including the valve job and boring/honing or honing.

These engines seem pretty simple right? I've built plenty of car engines and even a VW diesel engine but I've never done a tractor.

How about the compression???, that is a older model tractor..Figure heavy on the engine noises, above normal. Kubotas are not know for the parts being cheaper, but there are a lot of sources.