Rebuilt Engine on L2900

[tzimme]

I am looking at buying a 1995 Kubota L2900 that has 1000 hrs.; it sports a Kubota loader, GST and R4 tires. The dealer told me it is a trade-in on a new L3010 but that the previous owner used ether on the glow plugs which ruined the engine. They had to go in and put new rings in and one new piston. They wanted $11,900 for it but I offered them $10,000 if they would put an extended warranty on it. They have to send in oil samples before the extended warranty company will validate the warranty. They sent in oil samples but the sample on the engine failed. The dealer said that this sometime happens because of the new engine and potential for contaiminants to get in the engine. They have changed the oil are are re-testing it.

I have driven this tractor for about 8 hours already spreading 1/2 mile of asphalt millings on a road we built last summer. It seems to run great, no leaks, no grey or blue smoke. However, I haven't closed the deal yet and can back out.

I have several questions related to this:

1. How could using ether on the glow plugs do damage to the engine?
2. Is a rebuilt engine a good thing if it was done right?
3. What are my risks if the test comes back negative again on the engine oil sample? What does negative mean; does it mean that engine is no good?

Thanks!

TZ

 

[GlueGuy]

<font color=blue>1. How could using ether on the glow plugs do damage to the engine?</font color=blue>

It would only make a difference if someone overdid the ether thing. Shouldn't have been necessary in the first place, but there may have been something else going on.

That's all academic anyway at this point. The point is that the engine had to be rebuilt with only 1000 hours on it. It's probably more of an indication the previous owner abused it in some way or other, and the ether makes a great story. The engine on that tractor should normally last a lot longer than 1000 hours. I bet a dollar to a donut that the dealer really doesn't know what caused it, and is just giving a story that he's heard (or something).

<font color=blue>2. Is a rebuilt engine a good thing if it was done right?</font color=blue>

I think that question should answer itself. Of course, if it's done right. A better question is how long one that's not done right might last. or, put another way, how long might you run the engine before you notice that something is going wrong?

<font color=blue>3. What are my risks if the test comes back negative again on the engine oil sample? What does negative mean; does it mean that engine is no good?</font color=blue>

Part of this could be legit on a newly rebuilt engine. They still need to be broken in, and there is potentially a lot of blow-by until the new rings seat. That said, the warranty companies want to operate on a profit basis, and they do these tests based on experience. If the test comes back negative again (on a fresh oil change), then I'd run, not walk away.

It's possible that they did a minimum rebuild on the engine (rings only), no valves or bottom components. If the engine was abused (and we could speculate all day (or night) about what really happened to the engine), then it's entirely possible that there are other issues lurking and they won't show up for a while. I'd be very leary of this tractor, but you have to make your own decisions.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Kubota L2900

1998
Make Kubota
Engine Make Kubota
Engine Model
Serial #
Hours 1000
Miles
Color Orange
Price 12500


I feel you offered too high and maybe should walk away from a potential future problem(s)… For a few thousand more you can buy brand spanky new with a warranty…

 

[Egon]

Thoughts, not knowledge.

They have just repaired the obvious damage resulting from too much ether. All new rings but only one new piston bothers me. It's almost as though it had been run hot?? in the past and the compression was iffy prior to use of the ether. Ether is very hard on heads also.

Egon

 

[rbargeron]

I'm with Egon on this - they replaced stuff that was obviously damaged but can't really call the job a "rebuild".

That would mean all new pistons, maybe a block rebore or sleeves, magnaflux of the head, new bearing shells, etc. This would require removal of the engine from the tractor - many dealers will not go this far to get a unit back out on the lot for sale. Is the test for metals in the oil? If it fails again the engine has a shortened future life and your offer should reflect that. The engine probably won't fail in spectacular fashion, but can be expected to gradually consume more oil and eventually have a little less power and become harder to start (leading back to ether problems). The dealer may not accept a low offer - he could sell it to someone who he knows won't use it much and it will last "long enough".

Good luck.