Kubota 3910 ran out of water and will not run

[ROUSTABOUT]

This is for everyone. Check your hoses, all hoses, for tightness.

I've worked on a lot of Kubota engines that were not near that hot, cracked head every time. I have put on several. From owners that the temp showed hot, shut it down, still ran good, but would not start up again. I have also seen a one year old tractor, ran out of fuel, put in fuel, tried starting fluid to get it to pick up fuel, engine was no good after that. It would not start on a hot summer day unless one guy was on tractor cranking and another was spraying constantly with starting fluid. This was at the dealership and I worked there.

 

[ruffdog]

He ordered a pressure test kit from Amazon before he wants to do anything else on it. Should get it in a couple of days.

Did he order a compression tester or a coolant system pressure tester? After getting real hot, if there is a cracked head/cylinder and water gets in a cylinder, don't crank it over with the injectors in. It might hydro lock and do more damage like bent rods.

 

[repete]

Many years ago my father in law was driving the E350 i yd dump with a 16' flatbed and tractor loaded sbound on I-5 in Washington. He got near his exit and then it started running rough and pulled over. The engine had overheated and seized.
When I pulled the engine I took the thermostat housing off as part of the "why did it happen" autopsy (I do a lot of these ). I discovered the thermostat works against a pin that pushes against a strap sitting, for lack of a better term I will use arm, over the top of the thermostat. This pin had pushed through the arm and the thermostat had slammed totally shut instantly.
The thermostat had worked perfectly up till this point.
Ya, if he had been watching the gauge he may have caught it but in this case he was watching his driving. Things happen...

 

[JWR]

... and I believe the 'Amazon' leak down / compression tester has the correct adapter. The adapters fit just about everything including my MF 2660, my BX2200, my kids BX, etc. No reason in the world to believe it lacks an adapter to fit the L3901 radiator.

 

[rScotty]

... and I believe the 'Amazon' leak down / compression tester has the correct adapter. The adapters fit just about everything including my MF 2660, my BX2200, my kids BX, etc. No reason in the world to believe it lacks an adapter to fit the L3901 radiator.

Checking the leak down seems a good first step. Lets see what that says before going farther.

I wish I could say that I check all the fluids and do a walk around inspection before starting the tractor or the pickup..... but honestly I doubt I do that once a month.
When it's running I do check the gauges sometimes. It would still be all to easy to miss a problem.

Water temperature means nothing if there isn't any.
Sounds like bad luck,
rScotty

 

[5030]

Kind of reminds me of an interesting and costly story about the Series 60 DDEC engines some years bac. We had them lined up in the shop, on stands, all DOA from the extended life coolant mixing with the oil and turning into goo. None of the owners had a clue what was happening (until they locked up) because the coolant temperature was always within range so even the electronic engine shutdown never operated

The engines kept on running until they locked up. Temperature sensors cannot sense anything when there is no coolant present.

Weren't even able to even short block them as the goo was everywhere inside. Detroit Diesel too a heck of a bath on that deal.

Sitting on engine stands with cardboard under them, catching the goo that was dripping out of them. Extended life coolant and engine oil makes a nasty combo.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I am surprise it even turns ... good engine

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Well, my L5030 that dad uses had a leaking water pump last year. Dad thought radiator was leaking so put stop leak in it. Course he never told me until after the damage was done. it eventually caused a cracked head. Cost $6K to have kubota dealer fix it, but that included new radiator, new hoses, new water pump, new head and labor.

 

[etpm]

Well, my L5030 that dad uses had a leaking water pump last year. Dad thought radiator was leaking so put stop leak in it. Course he never told me until after the damage was done. it eventually caused a cracked head. Cost $6K to have kubota dealer fix it, but that included new radiator, new hoses, new water pump, new head and labor.

Why did the stop leak cause a cracked head? Or did it not stop any leaks and the tractor overheated? I'm curious.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Why did the stop leak cause a cracked head? Or did it not stop any leaks and the tractor overheated? I'm curious.
Thanks,
Eric

The water pump had the leak, not the radiator. So tractor kept overheating. I also think dad (98 yo last year) was putting straight water in the radiator. By the time I found out and checked it out, head was cracked.