Kubota ZG222 smoking

woody · Jan 22, 2016

I have a Kubota ZG222 that started smoking 2 years ago and got worse this past cutting season. I checked with a couple of dealers on a rebuild kit, a new motor or maybe a short block. they said no on the short block, I have not been able to find a rebuild kit and a replacement Kubota motor is 2500 dollars and they want my old motor to destroy. I have not really checked the motor out but it is using about a quart of oil cutting one acre. My question is what do I need to check on this motor and where could I find a non Kubota replacement? the numbers on the motors are KGZ770-E2-M3

amigauser · Jan 23, 2016

No idea on the motor but I am curious how many hours are on it?

woody · Jan 23, 2016

it is a 2009 model and I'll have to look at the hours

woody · Jan 27, 2016

Does anyone know if a motor from a Kubota BX2230 would fit my ZG222 with out to much fabrication. I am having trouble find specs on them. I know one is diesel and one is gas. the BX2230 has a bad PTO gearbox the owner said. I have not seen it yet.

woody · Jan 27, 2016

amigauser said:
No idea on the motor but I am curious how many hours are on it?

the hour meter is only showing 80 hours on it but that has to be wrong. the mower look as good as new when I bought it and it only takes me about an hour to cut my yard but still that seams really low. I have always just changed the oil and filters after each cutting season. The Kubota mechanic said it sounds like I dusted the motor.

woody · Feb 12, 2016

well I all most fixed my z-turn today, I went and looked at an exmark, looked good and had a good price on it, told the guy I wanted it if he could produce the paper work from where he had purchased it. he said he could so we agreed I would run to town and get the money and my trailer, but then on my way back about two miles from his house he calls and said the mower was sold and just left his yard.

so now it's back to the Kubota.

MF283 · Feb 12, 2016

I hope you gave him a good cussing being there was an agreement:smiley_aafz:

davesl708 · Feb 12, 2016

woody said:
I have a Kubota ZG222 that started smoking 2 years ago and got worse this past cutting season. I checked with a couple of dealers on a rebuild kit, a new motor or maybe a short block. they said no on the short block, I have not been able to find a rebuild kit and a replacement Kubota motor is 2500 dollars and they want my old motor to destroy. I have not really checked the motor out but it is using about a quart of oil cutting one acre. My question is what do I need to check on this motor and where could I find a non Kubota replacement? the numbers on the motors are KGZ770-E2-M3

Have you tried "kubotapartsdealer.com" for rebuild parts?

I think that is a Kohler engine.

woody · Feb 12, 2016

I checked the compression today and the left cylinder had 175 psi but the right only had 135 psi and the plug on that side was full of carbon and oil.

woody · Feb 12, 2016

davesl708 said:
Have you tried "kubotapartsdealer.com" for rebuild parts?

I think that is a Kohler engine.

no I haven't still trying to decide what I need, but I will keep them in mind thanks.

woody · Feb 12, 2016

MF283 said:
I hope you gave him a good cussing being there was an agreement:smiley_aafz:

nope I think it was a sign so I started working on my Kubota.

woody · Feb 20, 2016

yesterday I tore into the z-turn and found what I believe is a blowed head gasket, it is not obvious but there was a spot about 1 inch long that felt rough to the touch like it had grit on it. thinking that it was sucking oil into that cylinder so I ordered the gasket and will put it back together next week. Also I just made a deal on the Kubota bx2230, the guy said the PTO was bad on it but it will still run and drive just can't engage the PTO just another project to post about.

Kubota 2350 · Feb 21, 2016

woody said:
I have a Kubota ZG222 that started smoking 2 years ago and got worse this past cutting season. I checked with a couple of dealers on a rebuild kit, a new motor or maybe a short block. they said no on the short block, I have not been able to find a rebuild kit and a replacement Kubota motor is 2500 dollars and they want my old motor to destroy. I have not really checked the motor out but it is using about a quart of oil cutting one acre. My question is what do I need to check on this motor and where could I find a non Kubota replacement? the numbers on the motors are KGZ770-E2-M3

What's up with this, if there is no core charge tell them your going to keep it.

woody · Feb 22, 2016

Kubota 2350 said:
What's up with this, if there is no core charge tell them your going to keep it.

yea I did not think it was right either but two different dealers said it.

woody · Feb 24, 2016

ok got the head gasket on and the motor back together, took a ride down the driveway and did not see any smoke!!! when the rain stops and I have time from my job I'll run it some more and engage the blades to see what happens but first indications are that the head gasket was the problem. thanks for the help.

David_Kb7uns · Feb 25, 2016

woody said:
yea I did not think it was right either but two different dealers said it.

There is a recall on some of the ZG units from a few years back, carb problems with fire hazard.

Kubota Recalls Riding Mowers Due to Fire Hazard | CPSC.gov

But unless they are giving me a new engine, pound sand my parts.

David

woody · Feb 25, 2016

Thanks David, I have the zg222 but I'll have to check the serial number tomorrow

woody · Sep 27, 2016

Okay I'm sorry for digging up an old thread but hey it's my thread. After I replaced the head gasket and cut the grass one time it did better but the very next time I used it there was smoke every where. I inherited a couple of craftsman mowers so I rebuilt the carbs and have been using them but the other day I tore back into the Z-turn and was going to replace the valve seals but the local Kubota shop had to order them so while I was waiting I decided to have a look a little deeper and pulled the piston when I put the rings back in the cylinder to check the gap I could not believe my eyes so I measured it. the gap for the top ring and the second ring was .250 yep 1/4 inch, no wonder it was using oil.

woody · Sep 28, 2016

picked up my parts today and of course the first thing I did when I got home was check the ring gap and with the new rings it measured .033 hopefully I will get the mower back together tomorrow. the mechanic said it sounds like that side got dusted, but I have not run it without a filter.