Starting Kubota Engine #2

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2000

I'm glad I found this discussion forum. I bought this Ozark farm and inherited a
Kubota L245DT. There's no fuel indicator, and I ran out of diesel after a couple
hours. After re-fueling, the engine cranks but it doesn't kick over and start up.
Even after hooking up jumper cables from my truck (since the tractor battery
went down), it cranks and cranks but doesn't "jump" and get that sputtering
sound associated with engine startup.

*Maybe it's not getting any fuel. Do the fuel lines need bleeding?
How do you do that? I'm new to diesel.
*It looks like a glow plug-style switch; glow plug to the left and turn on
engine to the right. But the oil light doesn't go off in response to
holding the glow plug switch on; the light only responds to turning on the key.
*It has a decompression knob that says pull it a few seconds prior
to starting a cold engine. Is that like a choke?
*It doesn't seem to have a throttle, only a foot pedal for acceleration and rpm
*I went to the store to look for ether-style engine starter,
thinking that might be good to spray into the air intake, but the
product said don't use with glow-plug-diesel-engines.

Any tips on cranking over the engine? Fescue is waist high and
I'm itching to get back into brush-hogging.

Thanks!
Steve

fredoroberts · May 14, 2000

You guessed it, the fuel lines need bleeding. Since I am a novice tractor user I won't offer any advice on how to do that except:

look back in the archives, there definately is an answer there

or, wait until one of the pros takes mercy on you

Don't do anything until you figure out how to bleed the air out of the fuel lines

The good news is that it is easy!! Good luck

Bird · May 14, 2000

SteveD, yep, you'll need to bleed the air out of the lines after you run out of fuel. Click on the "archives" on the top bar of the main index, then use the search function and enter "+bleeding +fuel +line" and read the messages posted there. And thank goodness, you didn't use the starter fluid./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird

Kubota-monkey · May 14, 2000

Yes I do suggest the bleeding as well although i am a novice so look in the archives. The throttle is the foot pedal i would guess. That is the way it is on my tractor however i find it unusual that it also doesnt have a hand throttle. Look around some are in weird places. Also on starting see if the fuel injector is turned on. Sometimes they arent and will not allow any fuel to reach the engine.

Thomas · May 14, 2000

Steve.
Have you try bleeding your fuel,for in your operator's manual
it might show how?
I'm not all that sure about a L245DT, but most models to bleed the fuel line its somewhat like changing your diesel filter. Open your fuel cock than turn your bleed screws 2 turns open,than once the diesel fuel comes out and the air bubbles are gone tighten the screws.
Also never bleed the fuel system when the engine is hot.

Bird was 110% right,never ever use starting fluid or it will cost you $$$ in the near future.

Take care and stay safe.

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2000

Bleeding sounds like the ticket. One of the local farmers explained
a few places to bleed, and based on Bird's suggestion I went to
the archives and found some tips in there too.

The other Kubota I owned was gas, so maintaining this diesel
tractor will be a learning experience.

Steve

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2000

Steve I used to own a L245DT and was quite familiar with lack of a fuel gauge scenerio and occasionally getting caught with a diesel sputtering to an unexpected stop. All you need to do is bleed the system as mentioned. The first bleed screw to open is on the top of the fuel filter, once this one runs clear close it and follow the line to the pump. The fitting there is actually a bleeder too, open the small nut, I think it was 10mm, once it is clear up to here it may be worth trying to start, mine usually started by just doing this. If it still won't go you may have to crack the injector lines loose at the injectors. Set the hand throttle to maximum, pull your compression release and crank until you get clear fuel (no bubbles) and retighten the injector lines. It will definately start now. You might have noticed that there is a sight gauge on the left side of the tank, the small clear tube became discolored with age and can be replaced with a piece of clear tubing, you just need to remember to stop and look at it from time to time.