Tipped tractor wont start

johnecool · Mar 22, 2006

Hi,

I have a Kubota ZL1801DT diesel tractor that i managed to roll. I am now having problems starting the engine. When the tractor was turned upright it started for about 20 seconds & then shut off. It now will not start, the engine turns over but nothing. It lost oil which was replaced.

What can i look for to get it going again.

Thanks
John

goaliedad · Mar 22, 2006

Hope you are alright after the incident. No first hand experience here, but I would suggest bleeding the fuel lines. When it was tipped the fuel would have drained out and there is most likely air trapped somewhere in the system. Not familiar with your model, so I can't give you any details- check your manual?
Best of luck, and welcome to TBN.

Nasty135 · Mar 22, 2006

John, No engine likes to be upside down, least of all a diesel...
How long was it upside down? While in that condition oil is seeping past the rings creating a small pool in the cylinder and if you don't either A: give it a day or so the seep back past the rings or B: remove injectors to release compression and spin motor over to flush the oil out...

It could have blown the head gasket due to lack of free space in cylinder under compression stroke... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

This is a possibility, not what you want hear I'm sure but, if you take your time and check things over between air in fuel and compression you will find it.... Good Luck

TwinWillows · Mar 22, 2006

A neighbor experienced a "tipping" but not rolling (big woops!). While on it's side the engine ran until it quit & when righted would not turn over. I helped him pull the glow plugs & we bumped the engine 20 or 30 times. The first time great gushes of black engine oil shot out of the cylinders. Towards the end of the process only a mist of oil was coming out. We then reinstalled the glow plugs & it fired right up. Lots of white smoke @ first but it thinned out after the engine ran a while. Hope this helps. Don't forget to top off any lost oil & check for antifreeze in the oil. It might need a total change.

JerryG · Mar 22, 2006

As Nasty said "How long was it upside down?" If it was upside down very long it may have oil in the cylinders.

jinman · Mar 22, 2006

( When the tractor was turned upright it started for about 20 seconds & then shut off. )

If the tractor ran that long after being uprighted, then I'd say oil leakage into the cylinders was not your problem. I'd bleed the fuel lines as suggested. Probably air or trash, but I'd bet a trapped slug of air is your culprit.

john_bud · Mar 22, 2006

Yeah, It sounds like Jim has it nailed. 20 seconds is about how long you can idle with just the fuel in the pump. While it was "over", the fuel in the bowl went back into the tank. Then when you ran it, a slug of air got into the line and the pump isn't self priming. Read the manual on how to prime and you should be good to go.

Any chance you are willing to share the details on the roll over?

jb

johnecool · Mar 23, 2006

I will need to find the manual on the internet some where to find out how to prime the fuel line I have no idea. At least this info gives me something to try. It was over on its side for about 45 minutes. Oil had fallen out of the engine via rubber tube.

About how it happened I am new at riding tractors. It was my fourth time riding one.
I had the front tray a little too high & i was on very slight hill going side ways with a slasher attached on the back. I could feel the tractor was leaning over too much. I stopped the tractor & tried to reverse because i didnt want to go any further, once i reversed a little it started falling I jumped off. Not sure if it was the best thing to do but i didnt want to hold on to see what happens. As i was on the ground & the tractor feel the roll bar slightly clipped my ankle only suffering very minor bruising. I consider myself very lucky. I think my biggest mistake was I didnt lower the front tray while driving.

Thanks for the info.....to date.

Soundguy · Mar 23, 2006

Could have been bad.. wouldn't want the tractor or roll bar to crush you. Might have been better off seat belted in.

Soundguy

Henro · Mar 23, 2006

I think my biggest mistake was I didnt lower the front tray while driving. 

John,

Glad you came through that experience OK.

Since you are new to tractors, it may pay to take some time reading the safety forum. Tractors are wonderful tools and best buddies too, but they can hurt us if we let our guard down.

The rule of thumb is if the tractor has a ROPS, wear your seat belt. Otherwise if the tractor tips, the tractor becomes a mouse trap and the driver the mouse. Mouse traps don't catch every mouse, but they do catch their fair share.

Enjoy your tractor and all the work it will save you and your back. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif