DPF problems..

[j23]

Hard to believe, I know.

2014 M-F 1734e model. 879 hours. Always serviced ahead of schedule, including the dpf diesel injection fuel filter changed every service.

3 weeks ago, I was running my finish mower, and it went into regen (light came on). About 3 mins later, orange check engine light comes on. I took the tractor back to the barn. Shut her down. Started her the next day, idled up to 1800 rpm, same thing.

Sent her off to the local AGCO dealer. 2 weeks spent "diagnosing," including calling a master tech, and requesting a different program from AGCO for diagnosis. As of Friday, they said they can't find what's wrong, and that the machine "isn't throwing any codes" per the service manager, however, the machine won't complete a regen. They're stumped.

Ironically, I just got my latest Blackstone report back from my last oil change and everything looks perfect. So basically, the tractor is just fine, except for the EPAs can o' worms sitting on top of my engine.

Anyone have any guesses/helpful experiences?

 

[JWR]

But look at it this way, you have saved us all from global warming and the climate will go right back where it was supposed to be because of your contribution...

 

[Yander]

Sorry to hear your dealing with that. Frustrating to say the least. Can't off you anything but to wish you good luck!

 

[Southernspeed]

The only issue I had with my 1739e was a bug in the fuel tank that would randomly partially block the fuel outlet. This would starve the system noticeable by the sediment bowl emptying but still letting enough through to run the tractor, however it wasn't enough to fuel a regen, resulting in failed regen and warning lamp. I found this, and fixed it myself after the tech had been out to me twice and my tractor taken to their shop (by me) for a couple of weeks. They couldn't fix it.
If something like this is the problem, you'll need to get the regen injector checked, apparently it's possible to burn them out when they don't have the fuel cooling them .... apparently.

 

[sea2summit]

That sucks. I’d make a joke but aside from my little tractor and my old truck I’m staring EPA barrels right in the face.

 

[j23]

The only issue I had with my 1739e was a bug in the fuel tank that would randomly partially block the fuel outlet. This would starve the system noticeable by the sediment bowl emptying but still letting enough through to run the tractor, however it wasn't enough to fuel a regen, resulting in failed regen and warning lamp. I found this, and fixed it myself after the tech had been out to me twice and my tractor taken to their shop (by me) for a couple of weeks. They couldn't fix it.
If something like this is the problem, you'll need to get the regen injector checked, apparently it's possible to burn them out when they don't have the fuel cooling them .... apparently.

Is there an easy way to drop and clean out that tank?

 

[Southernspeed]

I used a bore scope on mine to see the bug. On the 2016 1739e the two tanks are joined by a hose underneath. I drained the tanks, used a suction hose through the filler cap totally empty and inspect the left tank then took the fuel gauge out of the right tank to do the same. Then I removed the crossover hose to clean that out. I also had a small filter in-line down by the fuel outlet so I removed that as it is very restrictive and seemed problematic. The NH version of this tractor doesn’t have that filter either.
After I did all that I had over a thousand hours of trouble free use until I traded up.
You could put a hose from your fuel bowl inlet to a can of fuel and run it to see if you can get a regen. If the injector is damaged though I guess it’ll still fail. Worth a try though.
Initially I pulled the fuel line from the fuel bowl and try sucking fuel from the tank with a hand held vacuum pump. It could barely pull any fuel up.

 

[j23]

Update:

Spoke to the service manager today. Almost 3 weeks later and they *think* one or both injectors in the DPF unit are fried and need replaced. Not even 1000 hours yet. Absolutely pathetic. Keep in mind, the super secret hidden filter under the fuel tank has been replaced at each service.

In addition, they'll need to manually clean the DPF element as well. I'm waiting for the call to give me their final diagnosis (one or both injectors) and the estimate.

As soon as she's repaired, I'll be sending ole girl down the road. That'll be the end of Tier IV machines for this guy. I'm currently hunting for an older model to replace it.

 

[thclimer]

Update:

Spoke to the service manager today. Almost 3 weeks later and they *think* one or both injectors in the DPF unit are fried and need replaced. Not even 1000 hours yet. Absolutely pathetic. Keep in mind, the super secret hidden filter under the fuel tank has been replaced at each service.

In addition, they'll need to manually clean the DPF element as well. I'm waiting for the call to give me their final diagnosis (one or both injectors) and the estimate.

As soon as she's repaired, I'll be sending ole girl down the road. That'll be the end of Tier IV machines for this guy. I'm currently hunting for an older model to replace it.

Oh my that is disappointing.

 

[Southernspeed]

Update:

Spoke to the service manager today. Almost 3 weeks later and they *think* one or both injectors in the DPF unit are fried and need replaced. Not even 1000 hours yet. Absolutely pathetic. Keep in mind, the super secret hidden filter under the fuel tank has been replaced at each service.

In addition, they'll need to manually clean the DPF element as well. I'm waiting for the call to give me their final diagnosis (one or both injectors) and the estimate.

As soon as she's repaired, I'll be sending ole girl down the road. That'll be the end of Tier IV machines for this guy. I'm currently hunting for an older model to replace it.

Don't you love it when you pay so much for 'professionals' to *think* !

 

[oosik]

That is just SAD - really SAD. I'm so very happy that I took the advice of the Kubota salesman and bought a 2009 Kubota M6040. I was planning on waiting for the M6060 version.

 

[j23]

Just got a call from the shop's service manager.

$2,606.12 for the repair. Two injectors which come in a kit (more on that in a minute). I just did the math, when I bought the tractor in 2014, i paid $22,764. This little debacle, not of my own making I may add, is costing me roughly 12% of the tractors original cost. Simply pathetic.

I remember reading one fellow's comment somewhere on this forum, defending these Tier IV machines, equating the DPF system as a wear item for a tractor, similar to a "muffler." Well buddy, I ain't never bought a twenty-six hundred dollar muffler after near 900 hours.

Now, onto the injector "kit." Apparently, and he was shy about telling me this, but I continued to prod, this is such an issue on the 1734 and 1739 machines that AGCO actually makes a repair and upgrade kit for when this happens. According to him, the injectors they are now supplying are "upgraded", and less likely to fail. How nice of them. Maybe the next owner will manage a thousand hours on this set.

I am so peed off, I can hardly see straight.

At any rate, I just wanted to give y'all an update.

 

[thclimer]

Yikes, a know defect.

I am clearly not a fan of regulation, but if the EPA is going to mandate this crap then they also need to require manufactures to honor a warranty of the emission control system/components for a significant number of hours, 5,000+??? Isn’t this they way it is for cars?

 

[5030]

In addition, they'll need to manually clean the DPF element as well. I'm waiting for the call to give me their final diagnosis (one or both injectors) and the estimate.

Should cost you zip as all the emissions components are warranted for 5 years, no exceptions and that is a Federal Mandate. You cannot 'manually' clean any DPF substrate element, Has to be 'cleaned' in a specialized machine and the machine also determines if the element is still viable as well. You might have to pay for that and cost is determined usually on the size of the element. Again, you might be stuck paying labor on the removal and reinstall but any sensors as well as any related components are warranted under the Federal mandate.

 

[Southernspeed]

Should cost you zip as all the emissions components are warranted for 5 years, no exceptions and that is a Federal Mandate. You cannot 'manually' clean any DPF substrate element, Has to be 'cleaned' in a specialized machine and the machine also determines if the element is still viable as well. You might have to pay for that and cost is determined usually on the size of the element. Again, you might be stuck paying labor on the removal and reinstall but any sensors as well as any related components are warranted under the Federal mandate.

His machine is a 2014.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

5 years for a hobbyist is 250 hours. Or maybe 5 regens.

 

[j23]

Well, just an update, back from the shop a few weeks ago. They replaced everything with that kit from AGCO. Cleaned out my DPF. Flashed the computer.

4 hours on the machine. Four. Regen kicked on today as I was working it. An hour later, and it won't shut off.

This is asinine. I just wasted 3 grand apparently.

Eff the EPA for mandating this crap and eff AGCO for building this junk. Not sure what I'm gonna do at this point. I should have sold this piece of crap the day it got home from the shop and found a 10 year old machine. Now I'm screwed.

 

[5030]

The inherent issue is.... Most dealership service department really don't know how to service this EPA mandated stuff and don't want to send their techs to learn about how to. I know my Kubota dealer has invested considerable expense in sending their head tech to classes that Kubota puts on so he has the knowledge to fix them and I just happen to know him personally and his attitude about it is well... all of that stuff stinks.

I saw that scenario at the heavy truck dealership I retired from as well.

 

[5030]

Why my 'vintage' Pre 3 tractors aren't going anywhere soon. if ever.

 

[Southernspeed]

Well, just an update, back from the shop a few weeks ago. They replaced everything with that kit from AGCO. Cleaned out my DPF. Flashed the computer.

4 hours on the machine. Four. Regen kicked on today as I was working it. An hour later, and it won't shut off.

This is asinine. I just wasted 3 grand apparently.

Eff the EPA for mandating this crap and eff AGCO for building this junk. Not sure what I'm gonna do at this point. I should have sold this piece of crap the day it got home from the shop and found a 10 year old machine. Now I'm screwed.

Sounds like you're at the stage to lawyer up. This is crazy. The 3k you just dropped must come with a warranty on the work surely? You should by rights get that back anyway as it obviously wasn't work that was needed. What a crappy situation.