New Kubota ZT Smoking on Start-Up.

[jezreel]

Hey Folks. . . I just picked up my First ZT Mower. Kubota Z422KW. Never had one before. Only push mowers. So, when I started it up at the Kubota House to load it, it billowed out quite a bit of smoke. Had to start it 3 or 4 times cause I kept forgetting the process of the brakes and handles. Every time I started it there was smoke. The sales gal assured me if she started any of the other new ZTs on the lot, they would do the same. She said we could talk to the service guy or start some of the others, but because she sounded so sure I said nope, that’s alright. I told her that any of my gasoline engines that smoked like that meant oil was getting past the rings. Once it gets running, I don’t see the big billows of smoke but i can smell it a bit.

So. . . Here’s my question and possible worry. Is this normal. Is the sales gal correct. I’m curious if this Kawasaki engine just need to break in a little and have the rings seated? I was gonna post a video, but didn’t know how. You can see the smoke a bit here.

I don’t wanna put any hours on it before I find out if this is normal.

Thanks Folks.

 

[RjCorazza]

Never had that happen on the Kawasaki 14hp on my walk behind. Diesels generally puff smoke on starting with age, but I don't think it's normal on a new gasoline engine.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have seen new ones do that. I wouldn't worry about it unless it doesn't stop doing it after several hours. I assume this is new with a warranty? If so I would assume it's fine and if it still does it after 10 or 20 hours take it back. Make sure there's a note in your file that you mentioned it when you picked it up.

 

[jezreel]

Yep. Brand new. Like, .03 hours. I took the gal’s word for it and just assumed it needs some break in. Thanks.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

You will like the Kawasaki. They are the bees knees up to about 30hp.

 

[rScotty]

First thought is that it has some two stroke oil in the gas. Or some other kind of gas additive either as a mistake or as a break-in lube that is making it smoke. Whatever it is, it has done its job by now..... if it even had one to do.

So drain the gas completely. Put in half a tank of fresh, run it for a few minutes and then drain off THAT and refill with known good gas from a fresh container.
All of this is because what you are probably seeing is oil or some contamination in the fuel and I don't know how it got there - That is, I don't know if it was your container or the seller's container of fuel.

Then I'd give it an hour of normal running and work , cool down, start it again tomorrow and see. If it is still smoking then there is a ring or valve problem and back it goes. No nonsense about break in. New engines break in immediately these days, and they don't smoke.
good luck,
rScotty

 

[jezreel]

Good to hear. . . I'll give that a try.

 

[5030]

Actually. all Kowlaski's under 30 horses share the same bad design trait and that is....

The crankcase breather hose terminates at the air horn in front of the carb and any blowby collects there and when you first fire them up, they will give off a puff. I ignore it. Besides. keeps the skeeters under control. Only way to eliminate it is to reroute the hose and put a rubber plug in the air horn.

 

[jezreel]

Okey Doke. . . It only had .3 hours on it, so I went out and drove it around for another .3. Got the engine hot and running well. I'm looking forward to figuring out how to use this thing. I doubt it will take long, but as a newbie to the ZT game, just starting it up with the sequence of the brake and handles is a process. And getting used to the steering.

Anywho. . . after driving around on it for a bit, I got back to the shed and turned it off. Let it sit for a few mins, and then started it up and saw very little smoke, if any. So, I figure it just needs to be run, and get that fuel out of there.

 

[gstrom99]

Double check that no "eager beaver" has over filled the oil. My Kaw powered JD does that a bit also. It doesn't need much choke, so I sometimes get a rich condition smoke if I'm not paying attention.

It's done this since new. I only have about 30 hours on it, though.

Fun way to mow, isn't it?