Water in fuel causes $10,000 damage to my Kubota Grand L6060

[Surshot]

A diesel is a diesel, if you can not find a farm filter system, or a water in the fuel alarm, you might look at the marine supply folks. They sell multiple filter systems, stackables.
Being 90 miles out in the water, is not like a walk across a field. They have alarms for just about everything.

 

[Bob Rooks]

........ pic is of the rail and you can easily see the rust.

View attachment 752874

Looks like dead "bugs" to me.

 

[Chewwy]

A metallurgical analysis of the material in the OPs pic of the rail could determine what it actually is (rust, debris, and/or bugs) vs what it looks like.

 

[5030]

A diesel is a diesel, if you can not find a farm filter system, or a water in the fuel alarm, you might look at the marine supply folks. They sell multiple filter systems, stackables.
Being 90 miles out in the water, is not like a walk across a field. They have alarms for just about everything.

BluSea makes some very nice alarm systems for marine use that can be refitted for tractor- automotive use.

Was just talking to my Kubota tech at the dealership today (paid my account bill) and he agreed that Kubota is behind the curve as it pertains to fuel polishing before it gets to the common rail injection system and he agreed that it would be an excellent idea to add a Racor inline filter between the tank feed and the spin on filter and sediment bowl. The Racor's have built in water sensing and you can add an alarm or light in the cab as well. Not a cheap date but neither is a fuel system rebuild on a T4 final motor.

 

[5030]

Looks like dead "bugs" to me.

Looks like algae carcasses to me. Diesel fuel algae looks like small poppy seeds and those carcasses can destroy a fuel system quick.

 

[heyinway]

Like the title says, water in fuel caused me a $10,000 repair bill to my 2017 Grand L6060 with about 1200 hours on it. The water caused rust in the fuel rail which caused damage to the injectors. I have had fuel problems with this tractor since its new.

I have a 100 gal. nurse tank that I use to fuel my tractors. I assume that condensation is happening in this tank. I do add a fuel 'cleaner' to each 100 gallons I put in the nurse tank. I guess this is mostly my fault, because I don't monitor the water separator on the tractor closely enough. I will check it more often now after this.

High temperature and humidity will cause condensation and the resulting seizing of fuel racks and injectors. Kubota engines are stout. All they ask for is the proper fuel, clean air filter, and proper oil change intervals.
Their tractors lack proper filtration...they must have a aftermarket fuel/water system...AND you have to run those engines on a regular basis to keep the internal fuel system lubricated...diesel fuel will eventually dry and leave the rack and injectors to rust...it only takes a spec of rust to cause seizing.
Kubota dealers are way overpriced. Those engines are easy to work on and there are aftermarket parts available.
Remember to take your favorite personal lube when visiting Kubota for parts or service...you will need it.

 

[ruffdog]

Here is what a bunch of Bobcats run....

Fuel Filter with Water Separator and Mounting Head, 7400450

 

[stevem5215]

When I bought this house it came with a 100 gallon tank. This was once a farm and they used lots of diesel fuel. But in the small compact tractor I had it didn't use that much fuel or was it worth it to buy in such a large quantity. I ended up selling the tank and got fresh fuel regularly for it. There's too much risk with "bugs" and water in the tank unless you use a lot of fuel to make it worthwhile.

 

[heyinway]

Looks like dead "bugs" to me.

That's algae...only way to get rid of it is by using "biocide". Never had this crap until they started blending diesel with ag crops.

 

[Hay Dude]

High temperature and humidity will cause condensation and the resulting seizing of fuel racks and injectors. Kubota engines are stout. All they ask for is the proper fuel, clean air filter, and proper oil change intervals.
Their tractors lack proper filtration...they must have a aftermarket fuel/water system...AND you have to run those engines on a regular basis to keep the internal fuel system lubricated...diesel fuel will eventually dry and leave the rack and injectors to rust...it only takes a spec of rust to cause seizing.
Kubota dealers are way overpriced. Those engines are easy to work on and there are aftermarket parts available.
Remember to take your favorite personal lube when visiting Kubota for parts or service...you will need it.

Their engines are good, but their fuel systems are a joke.