New owner questions G1800

[Roger Fowler]

Never had anything to do with a Kubota before, so just trying to understand it better:

1) When it starts I get a puff of black smoke. I suspect this is normal for a diesel? (Temperatures are in the 70's or 80's here now.)

2) My understanding is that the glow plug light is on a timer and doesn't know if the glow plugs are actually heating or working. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance,
Roger

 

[lmichael]

Puff of smoke is normal. Depending on temp it could be black or more grayish. IDK if a glow plug(s) fail if the indicator will light up or not.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Hey Roger, welcome aboard!!!

1) When it starts I get a puff of black smoke.
Yup, year round, hot cold, in-between.

2) My understanding is that the glow plug light is on a timer.
Others on here may know better - and if I'm blowing diesel smoke up your skirt - but here's my guess. According to the owners manual you turn the key to the pre-heat position and the light comes on. The light goes off when the pre-heat is complete. Then you can start the LT. So it's probably a sensor (bi-metal strip or thermistor like in your kitchen oven) that is closed when cold and opens when it gets hot (so yes it would know if your plugs are working). Not a timer (i.e. electrical timer).

If you're having issues with the glow plug light or glow plugs themselves there are older posts on OTT discussing this in-depth.