Can't get it to start

[Johnzuki]

I actually have this unit for sale in the for sale area, but wondering if anyone might have any idea why I can't get it started. Good compression, I think the injector pump is overfeeding the engine. Any ideas? Blows dark smoke as it tries to start, but just will not make it over the hump. New larger starter installed, new rings in engine, great compression, just running out of ideas. Does someone rebuild these injector pumps at a reasonable price?
Thanks in advance.
John

[CADplans]

My experience is that the Kubota is a "cold natured" engine,,
and it REALLY needs the glow plugs operating properly to get that engine to do more than puff smoke,,

So, Have you tried actuating the glow plugs before attempting to start the engine??

[ol'George]

Try reading this, it might help.
https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...t=diesel+start

[finsruskw]

What's the temperature??

[Oak]

I'm not sure what a larger starter is but on mine that are hard to start here is what I did and now they start great.

Read this: https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1

If the new starter IS NOT a gear reduction type, you will need this starter.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Starter...sAAOSwOxJd0Goq

Yes, I know it looks like a piece of junk but I put one on my 882 8 years ago and it still works fine. When it fails, I'll throw it in the trash and buy another.

Was the GP up grade done? The original GP's can't take 12vdc and use the dash indicator to choke the voltage down.

Try this to get it started.

Crack each fuel line loose at the injector and purge out any old fuel. You may want to use a small bottle with good fresh diesel for testing.

Buy 3 of these.
https://www.amazon.com/NGK-Y103V-Glo.../dp/B001QITX3U

Replace the GP's with the new ones and wire them together.

Have a good strong battery.

Place the throttle lever WFO.

Turn your key to the first position and your fuel pump should be pumping.

Take a 10GA wire to one of your new GP's (they should all be wired together) and energize them for 20-30 seconds.

Roll the ignition switch to start and crank it for no longer than 10 seconds. If it fires off hurry up and back the throttle down to just above idle and pull your power off of the GP's.

I would try that a few times and report back.

Good luck.

[Johnzuki]

Temperature in shop is around 70 degrees. I checked the glow plugs while I had the head off, they all glow just fine. I have bled the injector line, getting fuel at injectors, maybe too much. I got a new starter for it, was larger than the original, so I had to make a little room for it in the engine cradle. No big problem. Engine acts the same with new starter, seems to be spinning plenty fast.
I am tempted to go ahead and try some new glow plugs, already got a lot invested, little more won't hurt. Tried starting on starter fluid, but just kills spin from too much stuff in cylinder.

Somebody come buy this thing, comes with lots of new parts as well. Listing is in for sale thread.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by Johnzuki

Temperature in shop is around 70 degrees. I checked the glow plugs while I had the head off, they all glow just fine. I have bled the injector line, getting fuel at injectors, maybe too much. I got a new starter for it, was larger than the original, so I had to make a little room for it in the engine cradle. No big problem. Engine acts the same with new starter, seems to be spinning plenty fast.
I am tempted to go ahead and try some new glow plugs, already got a lot invested, little more won't hurt. Tried starting on starter fluid, but just kills spin from too much stuff in cylinder.

Somebody come buy this thing, comes with lots of new parts as well. Listing is in for sale thread.

I'd come get it but it's over a thousand miles one way, dammit.
I like challenges, even at my age.
Did you try closing the throttle then lightly spray starting fluid in the intake while cranking? it should at least hit on 1 cyl.
I don't like starting fluid but sometimes it's necessary
Any white smoke
or just black.?

[greaseburner]

Some more questions. When you say good compression, what kind of PSI are you getting? Minimum spec is 250 PSI per cylinder, new spec is over 400 PSI. How did you adjust the valves after installing the head? There are markings on the flywheel, 1TC, 2TC, 3TC indicating when those cylinders are at TDC. When trying to start with starting fluid, which is not recommended, if the engine is hydrostatic locking, you are putting in WAY too much starting fluid. This is a 37 cu. in. engine (.6 of a liter or 600cc). 37 cu. in is less than 1/2 of the cu. in. of 1 cylinder of a 14 liter engine in a class 8 truck. Starting fluid does not burn, it EXPLODES. With that much starting fluid it will either blow the tips off the glow plug and then bury them into the tops of the pistons or the liquid starting fluid will sit between the piston and the cylinder wall, and when it ignites will melt the aluminum piston, break piston rings and score cylinder walls. I agree with the past post mentioned above. crack open the injectors and see if all three are getting fuel. Hang an injector off of a line and see if all three have enough pressure to pop the injector and have an adequate spray pattern. Diesel fuel has to be atomized in order to ignite from heat of compression.

[BCDSFCRET]

Do not use starting fluid on a Kubota engine! You will destroy your engine almost
immediately. What happens is the ignition is so violent it blows the ring skirts off the piston.
Brian

[Johnzuki]

My compression gauge only goes to 250, it pegged it, so I feel that is fine. I adjusted valves per the manual after rebuild. Only sprayed a mist of starter fluid over the intake pipe, was careful not to use too much. All three injectors are getting fuel.Only blows black smoke, not white when trying to start. I have a video of it trying I could send someone since we are tele-doctoring now. Hope everyone is staying safe with this virus thing. Thanks so much for the suggestions, I really am just tired of spending time on it, ready to move on to next project. I have plenty of projects.

Originally Posted by greaseburner

Some more questions. When you say good compression, what kind of PSI are you getting? Minimum spec is 250 PSI per cylinder, new spec is over 400 PSI. How did you adjust the valves after installing the head? There are markings on the flywheel, 1TC, 2TC, 3TC indicating when those cylinders are at TDC. When trying to start with starting fluid, which is not recommended, if the engine is hydrostatic locking, you are putting in WAY too much starting fluid. This is a 37 cu. in. engine (.6 of a liter or 600cc). 37 cu. in is less than 1/2 of the cu. in. of 1 cylinder of a 14 liter engine in a class 8 truck. Starting fluid does not burn, it EXPLODES. With that much starting fluid it will either blow the tips off the glow plug and then bury them into the tops of the pistons or the liquid starting fluid will sit between the piston and the cylinder wall, and when it ignites will melt the aluminum piston, break piston rings and score cylinder walls. I agree with the past post mentioned above. crack open the injectors and see if all three are getting fuel. Hang an injector off of a line and see if all three have enough pressure to pop the injector and have an adequate spray pattern. Diesel fuel has to be atomized in order to ignite from heat of compression.