Kubota zb1400 cranking but wont start

Bull2024

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Kubota zb1400
Oct 13, 2024
2
1
3
Inman, SC
Sprayed a lil starting fluid and it revved high ram's. It slowly cut off and now it cranks but won't start. I have used started fluid before so this is not new. Any ideas as to what it could be? Battery is good, and it's getting fuel to the injectors.
 
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85Hokie

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Jul 13, 2013
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The worst thing you can do for a diesel ............ throw starting fluid at it!!!!!!!

WHY, you might ask? Compressing air make the cylinder extremely hot, so when the diesel is spraying in the cylinder it burns immediately and quickly......AT the correct point in the stroke.

Starting fluid will light at much lower compression and burns quickly too - BUT it starts the burn long before the cylinder gets to top dead center which places a stain on the entire system.

Have you checked compression????

Give us some background on this tractor .......... hours......... and what has been done to it in the past.
 

Bull2024

New member

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Kubota zb1400
Oct 13, 2024
2
1
3
Inman, SC
What is the easiest way to check the compression? My dad passed and I am trying to get these two tractors running again. This one was fine the day before. I appreciate any help you offer BTW. Thank you kindly.
 

Russell King

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Jun 17, 2012
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First you need to get a test setup for checking compression on a diesel engine.

Here is a link to a comparison article on testers. You can probably get a free rental kit from the automotive supply store?

Make sure it has a fitting that fits your engine using the glow plug hole (easier) or the injector (more difficult).

I assume you have some history with the tractor so share a little more please. Has it been sitting for days, month, years? Do the glow plugs actually work? Was it running yesterday, last week, 10 years ago? What did it do before you used the starting fluid?
 

D2Cat

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Mar 27, 2014
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Your comment about regular doses of starting fluid indicates your lace of knowledge of these diesel engines. As Lugbolt mentioned when the engine explodes from the fluid usually one piston takes the most of the force and bends a rod, which means that rod is now shorter and does not develop enough compression to allow the engine to start.

It's a tough lesson to learn. There is a guy on-line that offers financial advise, and he calls situations like that a "stupid tax". Never fun to pay. ;)