Price Check Value 1992 Kubota B1550 bad engine

[SDT]

Hi.
My husband has a 1992 Kubita tractor which he has kept in excellent condition. Only problem is that he now has dementia and put gas in the diesel tank! I took it to mechanic who worked on it and says the engine is shot and needs replaced. He offered me $1200 for tractor which includes mower deck, 2 grass catcher bags, a grass catcher box my husband built, the motor and chute that sends grass to catcher (don稚 know what it痴 called), the U shaped bar that goes behind driver, 3 metal hitches or whatever you call them to hook up an implement.
Anyhow, I知 just wondering if that痴 a fair offering price or if I should get it returned and put it up for sale. As you can tell I know very little about tractors!
Thank you so much for your thoughts.

I own a 1993 B1750, the big brother of the 1550. Though mine is exceptional and highly optioned, I would not sell it for $7,500

Putting gasoline in the tank may well have destroyed the injection pump and, perhaps, the injectors but likely did not damage the rest of the engine.

I think it's worth more. Always be suspicious when a "mechanic" offers to buy your car, truck, tractor, etc.

Might want to talk to another "mechanic" or even a dealer.

SDT

 

[SDT]

The engine should be ok even if the tank was filled with gasoline. Happens every day on highway vehicles.

The Kubota won’t have an expensive common rail system. The engine was likely run for only a brief time on the gasoline / Diesel mix, and the low cetane would have resulted in extreme ignition delay, lots of combustion noise, and plenty of white smoke.

I would suggest that you find another competent diesel mechanic and ask for a second opinion. Draining the fuel system, replacing the filters, and bleeding the system to purge gasoline contaminated fuel is a good place to start.

The injection pump is probably the most vulnerable component, but a new pump, if required, is cheaper than a new tractor.

Sounds to me like your dealer senses an imminent sale of a new high dollar tractor.

Bingo, FINN.

SDT

 

[RickB]

There is never any shortage of commentary on how big a check someone else should write or how bad a diagnosis is. It is a 25 year old 17 hp non running tractor. Whether it needs a short block or injection pump it has limited value.