Oil & Fuel Diesel more Maintenance than Gas (engine)?

awlchu · Sep 30, 2004

My Honda of 14yrs is getting old. I'm looking at several Kubota models that offer both diesel and gas engines as options. I've never owned a diesel before. Is it a high maintenance item or can I expect it to be free of problems and such?

Obviously there are more moving parts (injection vs carb) etc. so there is a greater chance of something going wrong....but that is probably an old rumor.

Does a diesel put out any more exhaust smoke or foul oders that might 'upset' my wife? Typically what can I expect from a diesel engine?

thanks, Brian

SkyPup · Sep 30, 2004

Super low maintenance -> change motor oil, hydraulic oil, and air filters: change motor oil and hydraulic oil. Continue working.

Jim_Becker · Sep 30, 2004

I will add that the diesel engine is far simpler than the gas engine...less parts, not more.

No smell problem. No smoke other than when starting on a cold day.

slowrev · Sep 30, 2004

Diesel will be more stinky when running. I recommend you and your wife go try one or several out and see what you think.

Maintenance over the long haul should be about the same. Diesels seem to require less or about the same amount of maintenance. However they can be more expensive to repair, but do seem to last longer as far as rebuilding goes.

Diesel will be more fuel efficient for the same HP.

Diesels can/will be harder starting in cold weather.

Ben

Cliff_Johns · Sep 30, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Diesel will be more stinky when running. )</font>

I would point out that some manufacturers exaust don't stink. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

If you can afford it, I'd go for the diesel, but there is some diesel fume oder and, depending on several factors, a puff of smoke on startup and sometimes under sudden heavy load.

If you are keeping the unit in an attached garage and want to please the olefactory of a spouse, make sure you close the door to the house, and leave the garage door open for a few minutes after starting the tractor and pulling it out. That should do it.

Cliff

slowrev · Sep 30, 2004

"I would point out that some manufacturers exaust don't stink. "

And which manufacturer might that be ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

Dargo · Sep 30, 2004

If you liked a high quality Japanese gas engine, you'll love a high quality Japanese diesel engine! On average, it will last 3 times longer, it will get better fuel economy, if you can buy off-road diesel, the fuel will cost less, you don't foul a plug very often, they are not hard to start in the winter unless you live in Canada or Alaska or buy a poor quality engine. I mow 10 acres of my yard each week. I'll never go back to gas. Other than oil and filter changes, I've never had to do anything to a diesel engine.

Unless the slight diesel smell is insurmountable, I'd not consider gas. The wife ought to like the fact that if you store a can of diesel in the garage, it will not have the chance to catch fire and burn your house down. To prove that point, yesterday I poured some diesel fuel in a small lid and challanged my brother in law to set on fire. We know what would happen with gas! He whipped out his Zippo and flat ran it out of butane and never got the diesel to burn.

slowzuki · Sep 30, 2004

Well the masseys stink worse than the Kubotas and the Jd's. The old international I use stinks worse than them all.

Ken

MarkLeininger · Sep 30, 2004

My wife gets sick from the smell of diesel fumes, fuel and molecules from miles away. Some people are just more sensitive to some odors. I would take her for a test smell of whatever you decide to buy.