Currently attempting to troubleshoot starting problem with our L2501 after running into issues during a winter start. Tractor has been kept in a covered shed with minimal exposure to the elements other than cold temperatures (this is in upstate NY, so consistently below 30 with a few days in the negatives). A few days ago we tried to get the tractor running, successfully started, but engine was weak and sputtering. Potentially due to my own inexperience, I had hoped that getting the tractor to move may help improve the circulation issues and so attempted to drive it (after letting it idle for a few minutes), but it only went around 50ft before sputtering, then stopping completely. Now the engine will not start at all, or even turn over. The battery is still working, and the starter will attempt to crank, but there is no other response from the engine, and our best guess is that fuel is not getting through.
Reading through online forums and guides, as well as the owners manual, my current best guess is that the issue could be coming from air in the lines or engine. When the issue first manifested, we assumed it was gelling in the fuel filter, and so removed it from the tractor in order to thaw it. My father has done this before and was the one guiding the process, however he never had us bleed the fuel line after reconnecting the filter, which I have since learned is an important step. Kubota says that the line should be bled by loosening the air-vent-shutoff-valve and starting the engine, but since our engine won't start at all, this isn't accomplishing anything. I've been attempting to limit my troubleshooting efforts in order to avoid causing further issues.
In case it wasn't obvious, we are both a little inexperienced when it comes to diesel engines, and I am learning from this process that we have definitely made some mistakes in how we have treated this machine, which I'm attempting to learn and rectify. In case it helps with troubleshooting, the tractor has not been kept with a full fuel tank, and is currently low on coolant. We also did attempt to charge the battery but with no success. Any advice for troubleshooting, or general winter care advice, would be greatly appreciated
Reading through online forums and guides, as well as the owners manual, my current best guess is that the issue could be coming from air in the lines or engine. When the issue first manifested, we assumed it was gelling in the fuel filter, and so removed it from the tractor in order to thaw it. My father has done this before and was the one guiding the process, however he never had us bleed the fuel line after reconnecting the filter, which I have since learned is an important step. Kubota says that the line should be bled by loosening the air-vent-shutoff-valve and starting the engine, but since our engine won't start at all, this isn't accomplishing anything. I've been attempting to limit my troubleshooting efforts in order to avoid causing further issues.
In case it wasn't obvious, we are both a little inexperienced when it comes to diesel engines, and I am learning from this process that we have definitely made some mistakes in how we have treated this machine, which I'm attempting to learn and rectify. In case it helps with troubleshooting, the tractor has not been kept with a full fuel tank, and is currently low on coolant. We also did attempt to charge the battery but with no success. Any advice for troubleshooting, or general winter care advice, would be greatly appreciated
