Kubota B7800, Injector problems - I think!

tombodett · Aug 23, 2015

Well boys Ive done it this time... I was brushhogging on an incline, came to a fallen tree on the ground, tried to back up, couldnt. Tried to pull forward maybe a foot. Started to slide towards the ditch and like slow motion, I rolled over onto my side. Called a buddy he came over got me turned over real easy, not so much as a scratch on the tractor or me. THANK GOD.
I checked all fluids except the battery acid, everything checked right on. So I tried to start it. It turned over just fine for a couple of revolutions then battery clicked and wouldnt turn over any more. I took the battery out and took it home and filled it back up with acid and put a charge on it for a couple of hours. I went back out and got the battery in it and tried to start it. It turned over maybe a half a revolution and knocked and wouldnt turn over any more.
Then I got on here and figured out I did wrong trying to start it. Now Im letting it set over night and plan on trying again in the morning, Should I or should I just plan on getting it to the shop for a rebuild?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Update. I winched her up on a trailer, got it to the shop, pulled the fuel rails and the injectors. I put a half inch drive on the crank and hand cranked it a couple revolutions and it looked like an oil Geiser. Then I cranked it with the starter a few times and it spat even more. Put the injectors back on and the fuel rail bled the air out of the diesel lines tightened the injectors and she fired right up.
Well I got the oil changed and now it's only got what seems like %75 of the power. There is no noticeable knock, smoke, or vibrations.
I am at a total loss. I have heard that maybe I need to have the injectors re-calibrated, since I had them apart. Any educated guesses would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to take it to the mechanics at the dealer and pay $85 an hour.

Leejohn · Aug 23, 2015

Take just the injectors and have them tested and set.

Texasmark · Aug 24, 2015

Leejohn said:
Take just the injectors and have them tested and set.

+1..................

Texasmark · Aug 24, 2015

Leejohn said:
Take just the injectors and have them tested and set.

+1..................

dangier_VA · Aug 26, 2015

If you got that much oil out of the engine in your shop, you may have bent a rod trying to crank it in the field. It could still run with a bent rod, but have less power.

crashz · Aug 27, 2015

If you took the injectors out, and replaced them, they are still factory calibrated. If you took them apart, then they are not and do need calibration on a bench tester. Which, a typical tractor repair shop will not likely be able to do. Those are usually done by diesel shops that specialize in injector and injection pump repair.

I hate to say it, but I agree with the last poster.

Did it start easily? Will it cold start without glow plugs? Is it blowing any color smoke at all?

Low power could be a number of things. Could be junk in the tank has clogged the fuel filter in the over-turn. Something simple.

dangier_VA · Aug 27, 2015

"It turned over maybe a half a revolution and knocked and wouldnt turn over any more."
"should I just plan on getting it to the shop for a rebuild?"

I have a sick feeling that is where you are headed (if not already there). Your description sounds like a classic hydrolock.
Best of luck.

BertZegers · Aug 27, 2015

Don't assume the worst, go for the injectors. Diesel engines are built strong. With the starter you are not turning the crankshaft very fast. It is not as if you drive in the water with a running engine. If you had the injectors apart, this is probably the cause.

I had to work on a tractor once that had a coolant hose rubbing against the inlet pipe, creating a hole in both. I only found out after I removed the head and could not find any problem. Only a very clean inlet!
Overnight a cylinder would fill with coolant. It was hydro locked every morning. The owner was starting as long as needed to get it running for weeks! No damage to the engine found.

tombodett · Aug 30, 2015

Yes it cold starts. No long cranking no smoke at all. I change the fuel filter and instantly the tractor sounds and runs like before, no problems. Then it runs for a while and starts bogging down. So I'm pretty sure there was junk in the tank which clogged the fuel filter and then water got in the diesel. I ran out of time in the field so now I plan on taking some fresh diesel out there and another new fuel filter and seeing what that does. Will keep you updated. Thanks again for all your input.

dangier_VA · Aug 30, 2015

Wish the best for you on this. I know the feeling when the tractor is down. My 3130 ingested a metal screen into the hydraulic pressure relief valve this winter. Had no three point hitch operation below 2800 rpm, and had to plow snow with the loader only and no rear counterweight. Worked, but not what i have made best use of in the past.