Kubota 2000 M4900 engine problem(s)

[tstex]

Hello to All,

My brother has a 2000 M4900 w about 1050 hrs. When he started it 3 days ago, he said there was a loud "breaking noise" and he immediately turned it off. The dealer came out to pick it up and the driver [that works on engines] said "a possible valve spring or injector cap..." He wouldn't comment further. My brother did not try starting it again. He's very mechanically inclined, but just doesn't have the space, tools and other to take it apart.

Does anyone have an idea of what might have taken place? If you have specific questions, I will ask him. I really appreciate your feedback and help.

Thanks again,
tstex

 

[rbargeron]

No idea what the noise is - but FWIW the 5-cylinder F2803 engine is known to have high build-quality and is very reliable (I've had 3) . It's been used since 1984 in several tractor models and many industrial power plants. Your brother did the right thing to shut it off. Even the most bullet-proof machine (which this is an example of) can have a rare problem. Hope this is not serious. Keep us posted. Take care, Dick B

 

[tstex]

Thank you very much Dick - appreciate the feedback. I know w my description was pretty tough to interpret.

The dealership is at least 5 days out before they can even look at it, and that was before they told my brother it would be 3-5 days before they could pick up the tractor. At least it's good to know some businesses are booming...hopefully it's more routine maintenance work rather than engine overhauls...stay safe, tstex

 

[tstex]

Dealer still has not looked at tractor.

 

[tstex]

The dealer attributed the breaking sound to a fuel-injector imploding, due to contaminated fuel. I have never heard this, but they are having to replace 1 fuel injector, cleaning out the fuel tank, fuel lines and all other f-injectors.

My brother buys 5 gal containers of diesel, then fills the tank. He can only attribute the bad fuel to the time his nearby brother in law used his tractor, then refueled it from his standing fuel tank. He also filled 1 5gal container and when my brother was using that, he stopped when it got down to 1/4 of the container bc he noticed "s\a sludge" started coming out. He never runs the tractor to a low fuel level, but his wife did...that must have picked up the bad fuel...

Moral of story: don't lend out your tractor or allow unmanaged fuel sources to be introduced into your tractor; make sure your wife knows how to fill-up the tank at 1/4 tank...

 

[Tx Jim]

The dealer attributed the breaking sound to a fuel-injector imploding, due to contaminated fuel. I have never heard this, but they are having to replace 1 fuel injector, cleaning out the fuel tank, fuel lines and all other f-injectors.

My brother buys 5 gal containers of diesel, then fills the tank. He can only attribute the bad fuel to the time his nearby brother in law used his tractor, then refueled it from his standing fuel tank. He also filled 1 5gal container and when my brother was using that, he stopped when it got down to 1/4 of the container bc he noticed "s\a sludge" started coming out. He never runs the tractor to a low fuel level, but his wife did...that must have picked up the bad fuel...

Moral of story: don't lend out your tractor or allow unmanaged fuel sources to be introduced into your tractor; make sure your wife knows how to fill-up the tank at 1/4 tank...

In my 50+ yrs of association with diesel powered farm equipment I've witnessed people putting fuel in fuel tanks in many different methods from different type containers. If M4900 had common rail/higher pressure fuel system I might believe your dealers theory(story) but I find this difficult to believe on the older style lower pressure fuel injection system such as M4900 possesses. I wonder what your dealer thinks the fuel contaminant was?? Was this tractors fuel system filter by-passed?

 

[big bubba]

Moral of story: don't lend out your tractor or allow unmanaged fuel sources to be introduced into your tractor; make sure your wife knows how to fill-up the tank at 1/4 tank...
tstex
also...equip tend to last longer w/single owner use hopefully easy fix

 

[tstex]

"In my 50+ yrs of association with diesel powered farm equipment I've witnessed people putting fuel in fuel tanks in many different methods from different type containers. If M4900 had common rail/higher pressure fuel system I might believe your dealers theory(story) but I find this difficult to believe on the older style lower pressure fuel injection system such as M4900 possesses. I wonder what your dealer thinks the fuel contaminant was?? Was this tractors fuel system filter by-passed?"

Thanks Jim. I have no idea if the fuel filter was bypassed or other...I am passing on what my brother was told by the dealer...I will forward your note and see if he can determine the answer to your question. Thanks too B Bubba

regards, tstex

 

[MHarryE]

Water in the fuel will cause injector tip breakage. If the tip broke in a wat that caused a breaking sound, it would appear the tip went into the cylinder. They can be difficult to get out. Is the dealer certain part of the injector is not still inside? I’ve heard mechanics say the moved engine to top of compression stroke (both valves closed) then inserted a compressed air wand into the cylinder to blow the failed tip out. Air rushing out the opening takes the tip with it. If you Google broken diesel injectors contaminated fuel you will find a lot of hits for all manufacturers.

 

[tstex]

Water in the fuel will cause injector tip breakage. If the tip broke in a wat that caused a breaking sound, it would appear the tip went into the cylinder. They can be difficult to get out. Is the dealer certain part of the injector is not still inside? I’ve heard mechanics say the moved engine to top of compression stroke (both valves closed) then inserted a compressed air wand into the cylinder to blow the failed tip out. Air rushing out the opening takes the tip with it. If you Google broken diesel injectors contaminated fuel you will find a lot of hits for all manufacturers.

Thanks Harry, very interesting...I'll ask my brother to determine if the dealer found the broken tip - tstex

UPDATE: My brother said the dealer did not state the contaminate in specific terms. The fuel filter will be replaced and the canister cleaned...