Fuel Gauge dead on my RTV

[Franko]

The fuel gauge on our 2005 Kubota RTV never gives a reading, and I want to get it going. I checked the wiring and don't see any problems. The electrical connector on the top of the tank looks like it is making contact. I unplugged the connector on the back of the gauge and read 12V between one lead and the black one, so I assume it is getting power. I suspect that the tank sending unit is bad or stuck. I see about 5 bolts on the top of the tank holding the unit in. Should I be able to remove those and inspect/replace the sending unit? From the parts pictures, it looks like it comes right out from the top. Any special precautions working with diesel?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Frank

 

[gwdixon]

This is a common problem with RTVs. If you buy a Kubota replacement part you'll likely have the same problem.

My neighbor bought a 900 and it has been back to the dealer 3 times under warranty. Replaced once, "nothing we can do" twice.

Check the "Similar Threads" at the bottom of the page.

 

[Franko]

Thanks GW. I see. I did a search but did not get those specific hits, so thanks much.

I might try a new sender, at least once - for $40. I think I need to take the RTV900 seat and underseat shroud off though. That darn vinyl shroud goes up the back, down the sides, and has about 30 attachment points. I hope that is all that is involved. I can almost reach in there without removing anything, but I would hate to drop a nut or screwdriver into the tank....

So far, I have not run out of fuel. I seem to get a few coughs and rough running on hills and that tells me it is time. That has been fine for trips to pick up the mail but I plan to do some snow plowing this winter and don't want to rely on that kind of thing. Plus, isn't it a problem when you run a diesel completely out of fuel? I seem to have read something about disconnecting hoses and priming and stuff, but I really don't want to have to go there! I hate to keep it too full because it tends to slosh out the top due to the poor fit of the tank cap. I had that replaced by the dealer under warranty but the new one does not fit any better than the old one. It gets too hard to turn before it seats. I swear it has the wrong threads!

Frank

 

[mikesee]

Franco: I think your problems are starting with your fuel cap. Under no circumstances should the fuel slosh out of the tank via the cap. Get the cap issue fixed when you get the fuel gauge parts fixed then keep the tank full. I have heard that the metal parts inside the tank can corrode if exposed to the air inside a partially full tank. Kubota manuals say to fill the tank each night after use and I bet this is why.

 

[gwdixon]

Re: running out of fuel

Running out of fuel can be a problem or not. Just last week my BX2200 ran out of fuel. The gauge indicated 1/8 tank but, admittedly, it has read that for a while.

I filled the tank and turned on the ignition key to let the fuel pump grind for a while. Then it started right up. Maybe just luck. It won't be running out of fuel again. Half a tank will be the indicator to refill from here on out.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The sender on my 2005 L3130 is screwing up also pulled once and got it going once now it is doing it again and have replacement to put in when I get time. When I had it out first time there was a lot of rust and I keep the tank full filling at the end of every day, this 5% biodiesel is not helping. For right now I just keep tank topped off.

David Kb7uns

 

[Franko]

Guys - thanks much for the advice. This is a great website and forum!

David - does the sender just lift out from the top when you remove the screws?

Anyone out there have specific advice on getting at the top of the tank on an RTV900?

Frank

 

[David_Kb7uns]

On the L3130 I had to take the hood off to get easy access to the sender. There was a rubber gasket under it. I think there were rivets or something contacting the ceramic pc board with the traces on it that were loose that I tweaked to get going again. The wiper for the arm is no longer contacting a nichrome wire winding but a circuit board with traces that are laser etched. Best done with less then half a tank also.

I had to drop the tank once to clean it out on the RTV1100 and it was strapped to a tray under the cab do not know anything about the 900.

David Kb7uns

 

[DennisArrow]

Frank.......YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT PM ...............God bless...........Dennis

 

[jpaeye]

Sounds like your RTV is running like mine did a few years back. It would sputter a lot, lose power, and sometimes stall. I removed the tank entirely, drained it, reinstalled and refilled. The sending unit does come out easily after removing the mounting screws. Essentially, I had water in the fuel. Runs much better now. Water doesn't burn very well.

It's been a few years, but I believe all I removed was the black cover surrounding the backside and undersurface of the cab on the right side near the tank itself. The tank came out pretty easily after that. This is a 2006 RTV 900 with factory Curtis cab, so may be similar to yours or not.

Finally, one of the big problems with these RTVs is that they do not have a fuel/water separator, only a simple inline fuel filter. Kubota has a kit to install a Kubota fuel/water separator. I do not remember the part #, but believe it is the unit they install on the B series tractors. There was a thread on TBN that discusses this part and provides the part number. This is where I learned of the fix, my dealer had not heard of it. This forum really is awesome and I have learned a lot from all its members.