RTV 500 Rattle Sound

[timswi]

Dealer said Kubota's recommending changing spark plugs to correct the rattle. What a joke. It has nothing to do with spark plugs, it's something in the alternator system? Any other 500 owners that have the rattle keep bugging Kubota to get a satisfactory fix. Changing spark plugs ain't gonna get it.

I concurr...No way it could be plugs. It's a metal to metal rattle coming from near or in the pully cover...Most likely the alternator, mine stops when I run the plow actuator, it really loads up the motor.

 

[Eagleview]

I hope they are not correct in saying a different spark plug will fix the rattle . That would mean one of two things , 1/ the plug is too long and hits the piston . Or 2/ the plug is the wrong heat range and is causing pre ignition which would make a rattling noise as well as sending harmonics through the crank which could also make ancillaries rattle (alternator etc.) . Either way , not good .

 

[737pilot]

Got reply from Kubota. Bring it in and let us look it over. We have no idea whats going on. What noise? Were not aware of any noise. Rattle, what rattle? Let us tear your 500 to pieces so we can find the rattle. What a joke.

 

[mtrain]

I sense some sarcasm in your reply, but seriously, are you going to have them check it?

 

[Eagleview]

They have offered to help , that's a good thing is'nt it ?

 

[timswi]

Got reply from Kubota. Bring it in and let us look it over. We have no idea whats going on. What noise? Were not aware of any noise. Rattle, what rattle? Let us tear your 500 to pieces so we can find the rattle. What a joke.

Dude,

You told me to calm down, now it's your turn...I doubt they will tear it apart...Give' em a chance....Know how you feel...Bought a generator the same day as my 500 showed up. Didn't need it until this wind storm went through today...Fired it up, the 220 worked for 20 sec and stopped with the 110 still working...$900 paperweight now...Grab a 12oz painkiller...That's what I am doing now

 

[737pilot]

Hey Im calmed down. I just get a little irritated when I and you and probably most people that bought the rtv 500 know about the rattle and Kubota seems to want to turn an eye and not admit to an engineering flaw that should be fixed. Now i really beleive that it will get fixed one day and am not loosing any sleep over the problem. To there defense I have not had my unit in for service yet but, the fact is, thieir is such an inherent low idle rattle in every unit I've listened to that they have to be aware of it and yet they send me the email like they are not aware of the problem. Now I have to say that I love the Little thing and it gets the highest marks all accross the board except for the rattle and would buy another one in a New Yourk minute. Have a great day guys and thanks for calmming me down.

 

[timswi]

Hey Im calmed down. I just get a little irritated when I and you and probably most people that bought the rtv 500 know about the rattle and Kubota seems to want to turn an eye and not admit to an engineering flaw that should be fixed. Now i really beleive that it will get fixed one day and am not loosing any sleep over the problem. To there defense I have not had my unit in for service yet but, the fact is, thieir is such an inherent low idle rattle in every unit I've listened to that they have to be aware of it and yet they send me the email like they are not aware of the problem. Now I have to say that I love the Little thing and it gets the highest marks all accross the board except for the rattle and would buy another one in a New Yourk minute. Have a great day guys and thanks for calmming me down.

Well, at least they got back to you..I filled out 2 surveys and haven't heard a thing.

 

[BSVLY]

Hey Im calmed down. I just get a little irritated when I and you and probably most people that bought the rtv 500 know about the rattle and Kubota seems to want to turn an eye and not admit to an engineering flaw that should be fixed.

You know;when I get a run-a-round like this I usually spend some time figuring out a way to get around all of the not-so-helpfull middle men/admins and look to find a person at the very tip-top of the company. If you can do this, and there are ways to get this info, then you can send the top dog a polite factual e mail or place a call. I have found that things happen a lot faster and often with favorable results if the orders come from "top down". I've done this very thing several times. Does the President of Kubota speak/read/write English?

 

[jimdan]

Hey 737 - I just installed the upper half of the windshield on my RTV 500 and am waiting for the lower half to come in. Looking at the picture you posted, I can't see how you can open the hood with the lower installed. How does that work?
r/JDK

 

[PSDStu]

Hey 737 - I just installed the upper half of the windshield on my RTV 500 and am waiting for the lower half to come in. Looking at the picture you posted, I can't see how you can open the hood with the lower installed. How does that work?
r/JDK

The lower half is made of Plexiglass, and it has 2 straps which hold it in place. You can remove the lower windshield to open the hood.

Stu

 

[737pilot]

PDSTU ditto. I find the factory windshield does an excellent job blocking the wind but also for $50 get a rear vinyl wind blocker that will keep the back draft and rain from getting in. DO a Google search and you'll find several companies that sell them. PDSTU is correct the lower Plexiglas is easily removable with rubber straps which is required to open the hood. It would be nice to have a solid one piece windshield but I'm happy with the factory setup. Taking it in next week for 50 hr check and telling them I don't want it back till rattle is fixed.

 

[timswi]

PDSTU ditto. I find the factory windshield does an excellent job blocking the wind but also for $50 get a rear vinyl wind blocker that will keep the back draft and rain from getting in. DO a Google search and you'll find several companies that sell them. PDSTU is correct the lower Plexiglas is easily removable with rubber straps which is required to open the hood. It would be nice to have a solid one piece windshield but I'm happy with the factory setup. Taking it in next week for 50 hr check and telling them I don't want it back till rattle is fixed.

737,

Did you take it back for the 50hr service?...If so were there any bullitins for this...Did they fix the noise?

 

[timswi]

Well I ordered the windshield and roof for it. Gonna install some work lights as well because the plow blocks the headlights...That should help. Guess i'm keeping it.
The Tech said that the rattle is HTV gear noise...Starting to believe that I guess.

As far as power, I found that after 20 minutes of continuous run time it seems to have much more power (I should known that, my bad)...The tech also said to run premium in it..Haven't tried that, but will on the next tank.

Me and my daughter spent most of last Saturday on it...She loves it, and that makes this thing worth every penny when I see her smiling in the passenger seat!!!

737...Where have you been???????

 

[mtrain]

Taking it in next week for 50 hr check and telling them I don't want it back till rattle is fixed.

What did they tell you about the rattle?

 

[timswi]

What did they tell you about the rattle?

They said it HST gear noise...Given that it's so quiet it's noticable vs the diesels...Possible I guess. I have no evidence to argue otherwise. There's a record of my complaint anyway...if I do have a problem down the road, I can refer back to that.

It's pretty much the same as when I got it, not getting worse, so guess I have to believe them.

Put a roof and windshield on it this weekend...It's not as quiet as it used to be due to the echo from the roof...But is is much nicer to cruise around on in cold weather...Doubt I'll hear that rattle now.

 

[timswi]

What did they tell you about the rattle?

Sorry, you were asking 737...Don't know what happened to him..He hasn't been around here.

 

[DLH]

I clamped a 1000 watt inverter across the battery and plugged in my 5th wheel. The engine dropped about 100 rpm and the rattle was gone. I tested several times, so it appears that a heavy load on the alternator puts tension on the belt. Kubota needs to install a tensioner or a idler pulley.

 

[mtrain]

If you turn the lights on and hit the brake it will quiet the noise also. It is definately something to do with the alternator.

 

[DLH]

I am going to try to spray some belt conditioner the alternator drive belt tonight-maybe it is something as simple as a squeaky belt.