L3901 cutting out

monkey · Feb 13, 2019

Hi all! I have a L3901 tractor that will start, but after a bit will cut out and not start again for a while. Anyone have any ideas what could be the problem? We are new to repairing an would appreciate any help! Thanks

85Hokie · Feb 13, 2019

monkey said:
Hi all! I have a L3901 tractor that will start, but after a bit will cut out and not start again for a while. Anyone have any ideas what could be the problem? We are new to repairing an would appreciate any help! Thanks

How long does it run BEFORE it quits? And how does it quit? Sputter or off quick?

Need to know very specifics to rule out lots of things..... did this JUST happen or ...cold weather? or....

Have you rocked in the seat while trying to start? IF person is not in seat placing enough weight - it will cut off.

If fuel cap vent is restricted - it will run then slowly die.

In the cold climate that you are located ......could be gelling fuel, have you added any fuel conditioner to prevent gelling?

Have you changed the fuel filters lately? Have you ever bled the system?

Report back with very specifics of what is happening and how long it runs.

North Idaho Wolfman · Feb 13, 2019

Go to kubotabooks.com and download the wsm (aka Service manual).

You'll need to give us a little more to go on.

Do you start using the tractor then it dies?
Is it cold where your at?
How long have has this been going on, and did it just start doing it suddenly?
When was it's last fuel filter change?

Just about any and all info helps

monkey · Feb 13, 2019

My son had been doing some snow plowing and he said when it warmed up it started running really rough, then it died. I just had it running now to see if the warmer weather would make a difference but it was only five minutes before it cut right out.

We did add fuel conditioner and that didnt help.

It was warming up with no one on the seat.

The system was bled, however my son wasnt able to get the filter off at the time, as it was on too tight. He will do that though.

Thanks for any help!

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monkey · Feb 13, 2019

North Idaho Wolfman said:
Go to kubotabooks.com and download the wsm (aka Service manual).

You'll need to give us a little more to go on.

Do you start using the tractor then it dies?

Is it cold where your at?

How long have has this been going on, and did it just start doing it suddenly?

When was it's last fuel filter change?

Just about any and all info helps

The tractor starts fine.

The tractor only has 250hrs on it, its a 2016, i don't think the filters been changed yet.

It started just in the last week with the temps being around -20C Todays a balmy -12C

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85Hokie · Feb 13, 2019

monkey said:
My son had been doing some snow plowing and he said when it warmed up it started running really rough, then it died. I just had it running now to see if the warmer weather would make a difference but it was only five minutes before it cut right out.

We did add fuel conditioner and that didnt help.

It was warming up with no one on the seat.

The system was bled, however my son wasnt able to get the filter off at the time, as it was on too tight. He will do that though.

Thanks for any help!

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Based on what you are saying....

you have fuel issues or cap issues - take cap off and see if it run longer is an easy check.

Might need to get that filter off and start over with the bleeding

monkey · Feb 13, 2019

85Hokie said:
Based on what you are saying....

you have fuel issues or cap issues - take cap off and see if it run longer is an easy check.

Might need to get that filter off and start over with the bleeding

Ok thank you! Will do that!

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North Idaho Wolfman · Feb 13, 2019

monkey said:
The tractor starts fine.

The tractor only has 250hrs on it, its a 2016, i don't think the filters been changed yet.

It started just in the last week with the temps being around -20C Todays a balmy -12C

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Water in the filter / separator and / or just plain contamination!
You can't go 4 years between fuel filter changes!

monkey · Feb 13, 2019

North Idaho Wolfman said:
Water in the filter / separator and / or just plain contamination!
You can't go 4 years between fuel filter changes!

Yeah, we have just taken over caring for the tractor and are realizing it hasnt been cared for as well as we thought it had been[emoji51]

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thedevilyoulove · Feb 14, 2019

North Idaho Wolfman said:
Water in the filter / separator and / or just plain contamination!
You can't go 4 years between fuel filter changes!

My L3901 manual says 400 hours for the fuel filter. Unless his fuel was super dirty he should be fine with 250 hrs I would think.

Of course, the fact that it won't stay running might suggest otherwise.

North Idaho Wolfman · Feb 14, 2019

thedevilyoulove said:
My L3901 manual says 400 hours for the fuel filter. Unless his fuel was super dirty he should be fine with 250 hrs I would think.

Of course, the fact that it won't stay running might suggest otherwise.

The age of it says more than the hours in this case, it sounds like it's been sitting a lot of its life, water / condensation and algae and other crud love a tractor that sits!

monkey · Feb 16, 2019

Hello, so we changed the fuel filter, tarped the tractor and put heat under it to try an thaw anything that would be frozen. We also put in some gas line anti-freeze. I took it for a run and thought all was well but once i put the rpm up to the pto level, it stalled an would not start for 1-2 min. Its not as abrupt as i had thought, it dies out, fast but not instant. Any other ideas of whats up? Thanks

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CapnDean · Feb 16, 2019

Remove the fuel cap and see if it still does it. Sounds like you're starving for fuel, If the fuel vent is clogged it will pull a vacuum on the tank and starve that way.

Mine did something very similar, I would up disconnecting the fuel line where it enters the separator and blew air back through it..... Mine had a leaf in the fuel tank that was restricting the fuel to the filter.

monkey · Feb 16, 2019

CapnDean said:
Remove the fuel cap and see if it still does it. Sounds like you're starving for fuel, If the fuel vent is clogged it will pull a vacuum on the tank and starve that way.

Mine did something very similar, I would up disconnecting the fuel line where it enters the separator and blew air back through it..... Mine had a leaf in the fuel tank that was restricting the fuel to the filter.

Okay thanks! Will give that a try next!!

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Atlanta Panther · Feb 17, 2019

How did you get the leaf out? I have similar symptoms on my L3200.

monkey · Feb 22, 2019

monkey said:
Okay thanks! Will give that a try next!!

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Hello! I tried it with the gas cap off and it still stalled. Its a warmer day today and I had heat under it still, and if anything it was actually worse. It did smoke for a little bit before stalling. Any other ideas before calling a mechanic? My son wants to take off the fuel pump, is that a good idea??

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Newlyme · Feb 22, 2019

monkey said:
Hi all! I have a L3901 tractor that will start, but after a bit will cut out and not start again for a while. Anyone have any ideas what could be the problem? We are new to repairing an would appreciate any help! Thanks

monkey said:
My son wants to take off the fuel pump, is that a good idea??

Do you have a Kubota dealership that will work with you to talk you through troubleshooting?

If not I would suggest waiting until you talk with someone here to guide you along before just tearing into it. It will no doubt make it easier for you and the person helping you.

Unless you want to get a crash course and learn way more than you bargained for.

sheepfarmer · Feb 22, 2019

Messing with the fuel supply ln a 3901 is a bad idea if you don't know what you are doing. There are 3 fuel pumps to start with. Second that part of the tractor is or should be still under warranty. Third some of those parts are really expensive. I think someone in another thread mentioned $2700 for the high pressure pump. Get the WSM and also you can look at a parts diagram on the Kubota website. I'll add a link to that other thread if I can find it. He put a nice diagram in.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39624

Look at post 11.

These tractors hate dirty fuel.

rjcorazza · Feb 22, 2019

monkey said:
Hello! I tried it with the gas cap off and it still stalled. Its a warmer day today and I had heat under it still, and if anything it was actually worse. It did smoke for a little bit before stalling. Any other ideas before calling a mechanic? My son wants to take off the fuel pump, is that a good idea??

You have a lot to check before messing with the fuel pumps.
NIW mentioned the water separator... has this been checked for water contamination?

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North Idaho Wolfman · Feb 22, 2019

DO NOT remove any fuel pumps!

All you will accomplish taking them out is damage it further.

monkey said:
We also put in some gas line anti-freeze.

I worry if you used the right product with statements like this.

Get a bucket, open the fuel filter housing dump all the fuel.

Go get some fresh #2 diesel, do not add anything to it.
Put on a new fuel filter, follow the WSM and bleed the entire system.
Then try running it, report back what you have happen.

L3901 cutting out

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