New L5240 Starting Rough

[AJNF]

Hi,

I am a first time Kubota owner. I sold my JD and went orange last month and so far I am very happy. There is one issue I am concerned about and I would like some input from the members.

When I start the tractor it idles very rough and blows a lot of white smoke. I had the service tech back out to have a look at it and he said that was normal. At the same time he also noticed the coolant was low and topped it off. He said the coolant was low due to the addition of the block heater and there may have been a bubble in the system. I have owned several diesels (both tractors and trucks) and I know white smoke is never a good thing when it comes to diesels.

I took a video of the tractor starting so you can get a better idea of what I am talking about. It was about 65 degrees out and the tractor had sat all night. Here is the link YouTube - ‪New Kubota L5240 Starting Rough‬‏ or you can click here

Thanks for your help.

 

[TripleR]

My manual says to start at half throttle, I have no idea what it would do starting it at such low RPM. What does your manual direct on start up? Maybe your system is different than mine as you may have the new emissions controls.

 

[kuboman]

Hi,

I am a first time Kubota owner. I sold my JD and went orange last month and so far I am very happy. There is one issue I am concerned about and I would like some input from the members.

When I start the tractor it idles very rough and blows a lot of white smoke. I had the service tech back out to have a look at it and he said that was normal. At the same time he also noticed the coolant was low and topped it off. He said the coolant was low due to the addition of the block heater and there may have been a bubble in the system. I have owned several diesels (both tractors and trucks) and I know white smoke is never a good thing when it comes to diesels.

I took a video of the tractor starting so you can get a better idea of what I am talking about. It was about 65 degrees out and the tractor had sat all night. Here is the link YouTube - ‪New Kubota L5240 Starting Rough‬‏ or you can click here

Thanks for your help.

Funny you should post this. Your video is a exact duplication of my L5740. I believe it is to do with the emissions and the EGR. As near as I can determine they all start like that with this particular emission setup. If you could find a MX5100 I bet it would not fart around like these as it does not have the EGR setup.

 

[Grateful11]

My manual says to start at half throttle, I have no idea what it would do starting it at such low RPM. What does your manual direct on start up? Maybe your system is different than mine as you may have the new emissions controls.

I tried to get Kubota to answer why they say half throttle at start, couldn't get
an answer. We start at idle with our L3940 and it doesn't seem to be having any
adverse affect on it yet. It started at least once a day, everyday, 365.

 

[kuboman]

I tried to get Kubota to answer why they say half throttle at start, couldn't get
an answer. We start at idle with our L3940 and it doesn't seem to be having any
adverse affect on it yet. It started at least once a day, everyday, 365.

Because they want to sell new tractors. I start every engine at the lowest idle it will run at.
Try a half throttle start on an engine at -20 everyday and see how long it lasts

 

[arsenix2001]

Because they want to sell new tractors. I start every engine at the lowest idle it will run at.
Try a half throttle start on an engine at -20 everyday and see how long it lasts

Actually quite a few manufacturers reccomend advanced throttle starting. All three of my nh skid steers up to a 305 ci stated to start at 1/3 throttle. Ill agree 1/2 seems excessive, but ill also say that with the eg,r idle starts are rough as well with inconsistant ignition and coking. Try 1/4 throttle and back off upon smoothing out.

 

[crazyal]

I make it a point to set the throttle at 1500 rpm when I shut it down. I remember reading that cold starts at idle are not good as the engine is turning too slowly to pump oil to all areas of the engine before it starts.

 

[TripleR]

I guess it's just me, but I figure the people who spent millions of dollars in R&D and manufacturing know more than I just because I happen to own a couple of tractors. I doubt either way will cause catastrophic failure.

From another site on cold starts:"Let it Idle"
"In cold weather, after your tractor has started, let it stand and run for a good 20 minutes. Adjust the idle up to around 1500-1700 RPM and just let it sit. The reason we do this is so that the heat of the engine dissipates into the transmission, transfer case and gear drives of the tractor. If we went to work right away, the gear oil is so thick that the hydraulics will not work and shifting gears is problematic. A common service task is to repair a shifter fork during a cold weather season the gear oil is so cold and thick that when the operator grabs the stick to put the tractor into gear, the shifter fork breaks off inside the transmission costly. Let the tractor warm up for a period of at least 20 minutes when in cold weather."

I am no expert, so take it for what it's worth; don't mean to start a debate.

 

[arsenix2001]

I guess it's just me, but I figure the people who spent millions of dollars in R&D and manufacturing know more than I just because I happen to own a couple of tractors. I doubt either way will cause catastrophic failure.

From another site on cold starts:"Let it Idle"
"In cold weather, after your tractor has started, let it stand and run for a good 20 minutes. Adjust the idle up to around 1500-1700 RPM and just let it sit. The reason we do this is so that the heat of the engine dissipates into the transmission, transfer case and gear drives of the tractor. If we went to work right away, the gear oil is so thick that the hydraulics will not work and shifting gears is problematic. A common service task is to repair a shifter fork during a cold weather season the gear oil is so cold and thick that when the operator grabs the stick to put the tractor into gear, the shifter fork breaks off inside the transmission costly. Let the tractor warm up for a period of at least 20 minutes when in cold weather."

I am no expert, so take it for what it's worth; don't mean to start a debate.

I agree, everyone worries alot about the engine when the hydrostatic pumps and transmission components are the most sensitive to cold starts. I always go easy on the hst for the first 5-10 mins of use and never over 1/3 pedal for the first 50 feet or so when its below freezing. Good point of interest trip.

 

[AJNF]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

I pulled out the owners manual and it indeed says, "Set the throttle lever to about 1/2 way". Seems strange to set the throttle to such high RPMs to start an engine but I will give it a try.

One would think if hi RMP's were required to start the tractor they would simply use some sort of automatic advance. But then I guess it's not a car, it's a tractor, although it did cost more than my last car ;- )

I will post a follow-up video with the throttle advanced.

Thanks again

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

I pulled out the owners manual and it indeed says, "Set the throttle lever to about 1/2 way". Seems strange to set the throttle to such high RPMs to start an engine but I will give it a try.

One would think if hi RMP's were required to start the tractor they would simply use some sort of automatic advance. But then I guess it's not a car, it's a tractor, although it did cost more than my last car ;- )

I will post a follow-up video with the throttle advanced.

Thanks again

The issue of "proper start up" like some others will never be fully settled on TBN. There are some pretty long and a bit testy threads on this.

Our farm renters often leave their tractors down at our barn and have owned Case IH and John Deere. I have never heard a one of their tractors or combines started up and let low "idle".

I am certainly no expert on this subject and operate in relatively moderate weather compared to some.

 

[ModMech]

Almost every car, pickup, SUV, van, and diesel truck has "cold start high-idle" in some form or another.

OEMs spends millions in R&D and if their testing indicates a 1/2 throttle start per the operator's manual, then that is what I would do.

Of course, if you are in Embarras MN at -45*F and are using 15W-40 when the OM calls for 5W-30, a half throttle start may do more harm than good. Cherry picking what portions of the OM you are going to follow is not a wise thing to do, unless you are prepared for the potential consequenses.

 

[kuboman]

I did not start this thread but I did start one with a very similar question so I will clarify a few things. Having had very little experience with the new EGR engines I wanted to confirm if mine was in fact operating as it should. My experience with Kubota's and any diesel was that mine had a timing or injector problem with the way it was acting at start up. I have since found that mine is like every other one.
As for OEM starting procedures, they are written for the most lay of operators. Manufacturers also do not always have the life of the machine as their primary concern. They do not like complaints about smoking on startup for instance so they will give a procedure to hopefully eliminate those complaints but because it is in the owners manual does not mean it is the best for the machine.
Everyone is free do do as they please. So I will start mine at low idle and put up with the 5 seconds of smoke rather than start at half throttle knowing full well I am causing excessive wear on the engine. Most owners never put more than a few hundred hours on their machines so they will never see the fruits of their actions. That is why I try to buy new if possible.

 

[AJNF]

I tried the 1/2 throttle start. Still blowing a lot of white smoke and running rough but it seems to get up and running faster.

I would have to agree with kuboman, starting the engine in that manner would put added stress on a cold and unlubricated engine.

Personally, I think there is something wrong and I plan to take it back to the dealer to have it tuned by a tech.

Let me know what you think.

Here is the link to the video of 1/2 throttle start, YouTube - ‪1/2 throttle start‬‏ or click here YouTube - ‪1/2 throttle start‬‏

 

[TripleR]

None of our tractors blow nearly that much smoke, I would want it checked out too.

 

[kevinj]

None of our tractors blow nearly that much smoke, I would want it checked out too.

I wonder if his glow plugs are working or if they are waiting for the light to go out before starting????

It sounds like starting a big truck diesel in the cold with no glow plugs.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

I am thinking a sticky or leaking injector, takes a few cycles for it to get pumped up and on line firing. My RTV1100 has one that bleeds down overnight.

David Kb7uns

 

[kuboman]

I tried the 1/2 throttle start. Still blowing a lot of white smoke and running rough but it seems to get up and running faster.

I would have to agree with kuboman, starting the engine in that manner would put added stress on a cold and unlubricated engine.

Personally, I think there is something wrong and I plan to take it back to the dealer to have it tuned by a tech.

Let me know what you think.

Here is the link to the video of 1/2 throttle start, YouTube - ‪1/2 throttle start‬‏ or click here YouTube - ‪1/2 throttle start‬‏

Watching your video I would say it runs better at idle JMHO. As there being something wrong, not so sure. Just to many units doing the same thing. Has something to do with the emissions crap they put on this model. But, I sure would be interested to hear what a dealer says about it and if anything can be done.
Keeps us all informed.:thumbsup:

 

[Grateful11]

Our glow plugs were not working when we got the L3940 but the dealer took care of that. It doesn't need the glow plugs in warm weather. One of our tractors has the Cummins 5.9 L 6cyl. diesel turbo and it's never been started at anything but idle speed that I know of, it's 20 years, no smoke at start up, it has no glow plugs either, hit the switch and it's running within 1-2 seconds.

 

[JimP]

Kubota 5240 cab. I start at 1300 - 1500 rpm after glow plug cycle is complete and get a lumpy idle for a few seconds that smooths out. I have black smoke during the lumpy idle but no lighter colored exhaust. Keep us informed of what the tech says.