B5200 Spins over fast won't start

[bkeese]

Hey I'm new to this forum and need help.

I've had this B5200 for approximately 15 years and have had very little trouble out of it. So this is unusual. Recently the starter spins the engine over what seems and sounds like too fast. There is NO smoke of any kind. It seems to me that it is spinning over like it doesn't have a head on it, no compression. A month ago it first did this but after hitting the kep 5-6 times it caught and started and ran fine. It started several more times in the next few weeks, and now it won't catch.

I went to the dealer to talk to a mechanic I know, but he had quite a few months ago, so some other guys tried to help. They were convinced that it was the starter or the flywheel. I argued that the crank pully was rotating spinning the fan so how could it be the starter or flywheel. Needly to say I don't think I want to leave it there for them to fix.

So my question is, does the 18 hp B5200 have a compression release to aid in starting. I've read in other posts that that could be a problem on some tractors, I don't know about Kubota B5200. If not what else could I be looking for? Burned valves, blown head gasket, no pistions on the end of my rods?

It seems I may need to perform a leak down test, but no spark plugs so where to you do that? Do I need adaptors to connect the compression guage?

I think I want to work through this problem because I also have a B8200 4x4. I believe that both the B5200 and the B8200 have the same engine, Is this correct?

I know I've thrown alot of questions at you, but I thought you may be able to help.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[kuboman]

I can't say with any certainty whether you have a decompression setup on that machine or not but I would wager you do. You should be able to tell by looking at the engine. There should be some apparatus on the valve cover if it does.
I'll bet it is on.

 

[BrierPatch]

I think the 5200, 6200, and 7200 are similar machines, but I don't think it is the same as an 8200. Are you sure your 5200 is 18 hp? My 7200 was only labled as 17 hp. On my B7200 the compression release was a black knob on the lower left side of the dash that you pull out. It pulls on a cable (mine was frozen so I had to do it manually) that pulls the compression release on the firewall/back side of valve cover. It should be spring loaded to return, maybe the spring broke. Not sure what could be wrong with it. I just raised the hood and manually pulled mine and never got around to replacing the cable and never had any problems.

Let us know what you find.

 

[BrierPatch]

Oh, by the way. I got a diesel compression tester from harbor freight, pretty cheap that is supposed to have an adaptor to fit Kubota. Never used it yet though. They usually connect were the injectors go.

 

[Mac25]

Not familiar with this model....is it gas or diesel? I would check the fuel system....pump, injectors, relay and so on. No smoke is a good indication of a lack of fuel. Not sure if your model has an electrical or mechanical fuel pump.

 

[Mac25]

Not sure why you would have a compression release. Those are usually used on smaller diesels(higher compression ratio)that can be pull started if the starter fails. Check anything that screws into the head such as glow plugs/injectors or sparkplugs if gas fired

 

[Mac25]

If you do a compression test, make sure and remove all the glow plugs or spark plugs before testing the individual cylinders.

 

[Wolfy]

I used to have a B5200. Yes it has a compression release. It is to the left of the fuel shutoff. And it only has 13hp.

 

[Egon]

Figure out the compression release.

Then check and make sure there is fuel going through the injection pump.

 

[BotaBigot]

Figure out the compression release...

From description certainly sounds like decomp engaged...I second above advice...

 

[bkeese]

I will check tonight. It is a 3 cylinder diesel engine and it is 13 hp.

BrierPatch I think you are right on. That is the cable I use to shut it off and it has been sticking. The other cable, which may be choke, is frozen stiff. I intended to replace both until this happened, then I was think I may need a new tractor. I am familiar with compression releases, I had them on my motorcross bikes back in the 70s. It just spins over smooth and fast, no romp, romp.

Thank you Wolfy for the conformation.

Thanks for the responses. I will let you know the results.

 

[Egon]

If it's diesel there will be no choke.

 

[bkeese]

Well it is the black knob on the left side of the dash that is the compression release. The cable is tight and the compression release lever is frozen and is open. It will not return with hand pressure. So I'm going to open up the valve cover and see what makes it work.

BrierPatch what is the red knob on the lower right dash, if it is not a choke? It too is frozen.

 

[chiefchicken]

Before going through the hassle of opening the valve cover, disconnect the cable at the engine end and see if the lever can be moved without the cable connected. It may be that the cable itself is seized up. If that's all it is, you have an easy fix.

 

[kuboman]

Well it is the black knob on the left side of the dash that is the compression release. The cable is tight and the compression release lever is frozen and is open. It will not return with hand pressure. So I'm going to open up the valve cover and see what makes it work.

BrierPatch what is the red knob on the lower right dash, if it is not a choke? It too is frozen.

The red knpb will be the manual fuel shut off for the engine.

 

[varmint]

The 5200 is pretty similar to its bigger brother, the 8200. The earlier posters are correct about the right pull out knob being fuel cutoff, the left pull out knob being the compression release, for emergency stopping: you wouldn't normally use it. Sounds like the compression is released, causing the engine to spin but not start. Hopefully, by the time I post this 2 cents worth, it's fixed!

 

[bkeese]

Before going through the hassle of opening the valve cover, disconnect the cable at the engine end and see if the lever can be moved without the cable connected. It may be that the cable itself is seized up. If that's all it is, you have an easy fix.

While trying to open the valve cover, bolts and wasjers off, I unscrewed the cable stop and the compression release jumped 2 inches. Hit the key and it started. Bolts and washers back on and it is time to order a new cable, actually 2, the fuel shutoff is also frozen.

Thanks, guys I would never had know that little thing-a-ma-jig on the back of the valve cover was a compression release. The only reason I suspected a compression release was a google of my problem someone mention it.

Even better news, once it started my wife jumped on it and mowed the grass, life is good!

 

[srs]

Hit the key and it started.

That had to be a good feeling!

 

[Egon]

Good show.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

That compression release can allow you turn the engine over a few times and build up oil pressure just prior to starting or after an oil change.

 

[BrierPatch]

Here is an old thread about using the decompression. It was described as being for cold weather starting.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...200-cold-weather-operation-2.html#post1560846

I got an owners manual from my local dealer. I don't have the WSM or the Owners manual anymore, they went with the tractor when I sold it.

I am curious, once you got it started, how did you shut it down? I assume manuall releasing the decompression.

The other posts are correct the red knob is the fuel shut off and is how you should normally stop the engine.

Glad you found the problem and replacing the cables hopefully won't be too hard.:thumbsup: