L275 problems

[jesse.thomas.flooring]

I bought a Kubota L275 over a year ago. It is an 80's model and I use it for bushhogging, grading and planting food plots. Recently I was bushhogging some corn and the tractor would choke down and almost stop running. It will run but will not get over 1000 rpms if throttle it up it will some times get up to 2200 rpms but then will choke down and almost cut off. Changed fuel filter because I thought it was not getting enough fuel. Anyone have any ideas that might be a simple fix before I take it to a professional. I work on houses not machines don't want to take apart what I will put back together the wrong way.

 

[Lil Foot]

Clogged air filter? Sediment in tank plugging the pickup? Plugged vent on fuel tank? (cap?)

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[oldbeek]

black smoke= no air or to much fuel no smoke as dying= needs more fuel

 

[jesse.thomas.flooring]

I pulled the air filter out and it still looks brand new very little dust in it. It only has about 5-6 hours running time on it. There might be a little sediment in tank but has no problem releasing fuel when I changed the filter and turned the fuel line cut off back to the on position. bled the air out of line and it starts fine and runs in low rpms. Think the problem is somewhere between the fuel line past the filter. Only smokes a little after first started might be burning a little oil.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Are you 100% sure that gasoline did not get mixed in the diesel, it has the symptoms of that.

Does it start quick a smooth or does it struggle to start?

 

[jesse.thomas.flooring]

It never starts right up unless it has been running its always a pain but as long as the battery has been charged in the winter it will start. when it is warm it will start easier. I have two 5 gallon diesel cans that I keep farm grade diesel in. I don't see any way I could have. My next guess is the injectors. You have any idea ballpark what it cost to get them replaced?

 

[jesse.thomas.flooring]

Oh yea what is the solution to the gas in fuel problem? Drain all the lines?
and thanks everyone for the feedback so far.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes to get rid of bad or contaminated fuel drain and the purge all fuel out of the lines.
I personally would start with a cylinder compression check, pull the injectors and injection pump and get them tested.

If you just want to get new injectors they are P/N 70000-65208
http://www.colemanequip.com/Parts_Detail.asp?partID=16503

 

[olthumpa]

Recently, (about two weeks), I have been experiencing similar problems with power. My L275 has always been hard to start but it became even harder. Engine ran really rough during warm up. Did not sound quite right even after it was hot. If I loosened the fuel line to any injector the engine would die if I did not tighten it back up. Called around for places to have the injectors tested, cleaned, rebuilt or new injectors. What I found, at least around me, was that they wanted $10 each to have them tested, $54 to test and clean them, and like wolfman said $65 from colemans. Before I proceeded any further with the injectors, I decided to check the valve clearance, I had adjusted them this fall. To my surprise, they were badly out of adjustment and two more were also out. Adjusted back to speck, 0.008 and that made the engine run 95% better. The adjustment locking nuts were all tight before I made any adjustments, I can not explain how they got so far out in 3 - 4 months but they were.

I would follow wolfmans advice but check the valve adjustments before diving into the injectors and pump.

I am still going to replace the injectors but not until spring.

Good luck

 

[jesse.thomas.flooring]

Thanks guys this really helps, I know very little about engines much less diesel engines. I am always second guessing myself about taking stuff apart and not just letting a professional do it and paying. should someone such as myself be taking the injectors out? how bad can I mess this us. Not to mention Murphy's law follows me around.

 

[ShaunRH]

Murphy's Law follows all of us around... especially those that think it doesn't!

 

[jesse.thomas.flooring]

Fuel injectors were clogged up. 1 was fine 2 was 50% and 3 had nothing. Sorry for waiting so long to post.

 

[coachgeo]

Fuel injectors were clogged up. 1 was fine 2 was 50% and 3 had nothing. Sorry for waiting so long to post.

Thanx for the update. Glad to hear the old girl is ready for more work

 

[Tooljunkie]

The end of the story is at least a happy one. Someone my find this useful if they encounter a similar issue. Happy tractoring!