Hi all.. first thread here and first owner of a Kubota L1801Dt... well I was mowing with it today and noticed tranny fluid coming up from the shifter, kept mowing. Then when I was nerly done, about 10 minutes after the fluid was noticed , I noticed a noise sounding like a power steering pump... then panic set in and I headed to the barn. Upon arriving st the barn I noticed tractor smelled funny... and then noticed a large amount of oil leaking from the left side of the front of the engine.... I know nothing about diesels and even less about Kubota. The only bing I did was routine maintenance... and added some sae80 to the transmission. What did I blow? I think , but am not sure, that it is now making oil. I have a manual for a 185 and consulted it... it went much help. Another note, the top radiator hose seems hot..the bottom seems cool, did I overheat it? I beleive it has a thermostat...any advice would be Awsome. Thanks in advance../
L1801dt issues
- Thread starter Kcampbell
- Start date
Looks to be leaking near the alternator bracket area...it’s kind of hard to tell. I let it cool down and fired it back up after draining some transmission fluid and it seems ok.... but I beleive there is an issue somwhere... just don’t know where yet. Right now I’m trying to figure out how to check the transmission fluid level..
Daren Todd
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There is a plug you remove on the side of your transmission to check transmission fluid level. Plug is located on the clutch side of transmission, about half way down. Its about even with you big toe with your foot flat on the floor board.
When you top up the transmission fluid, you fill till it starts to run out that hole. If oil gushes out, then your over full on fluid.
When you top up the transmission fluid, you fill till it starts to run out that hole. If oil gushes out, then your over full on fluid.
What would overfilling the transmission fluid do? I mean what ALL can it do? It seems like it was waaaay over filled at some point in time. I popped the fill cap off and took the bolt out as you described and fluid did indeed gush out. By the way, my bolt has red paint on it... easy enough to find now that I know what I’m looking for. Thanks for the information given this far..also is there position in which the 3point should be in while checking tranny fluid?
Daren Todd
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Doesn't really matter on the three point hitch. Some say up, some say down. It doesn't effect the fluid level enough to hurt your transmission.
Mine was over filled by about 5 gallons when I got it
There is a vent under the seat for the transmission. Mud dobbers love to plug it up. If vent is plugged up, oil will seep from around the shifting levers. After I cleaned mine, I cut a piece of an old sock and clamped it around the vent to keep the buggers out.
Vent looks like a side ways question mark. Just screws into the side of the transmission.
Mine was over filled by about 5 gallons when I got it
There is a vent under the seat for the transmission. Mud dobbers love to plug it up. If vent is plugged up, oil will seep from around the shifting levers. After I cleaned mine, I cut a piece of an old sock and clamped it around the vent to keep the buggers out.
Vent looks like a side ways question mark. Just screws into the side of the transmission.
Yes it was a bad idea... however, it has a small leak around the rear hub and I figured it was low on fluid like all the other fluids were. I had about half a quart of sae80 so I dumped it in before I mowed. I now know how to check the level of tranny fluid and no more guessing.
Update.... I drained, what looks to be, about 5 or so gallons out of the tranny to where it barely drips out of the check hole. It may have blew my pump seal and starting mixing oils in the engine... as my dipstick shows too much oil. I am going to change oil and filter and keep a super close eye on it. How hard is it to get a hydrolic pump seal? For this? An would anyone have a part number for me? Thanks again!
North Idaho Wolfman
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Also sae80 is a little much for that model.
My suggestion would be to drop the fluid, clean the filter screen and the vent, then use a UDT compatible fluid to refill.
Yes it's an older tractor, but it will still like the better quality fluid.
A good quality UDT compatible fluid is Mystik JT-5, there are others out there as well.
Avoid any non UDT compatible fluid like most Universal fluids.
You can also use that same fluid in the front axle and hubs.
RCW
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I run across 2 guys this week that also swear by the Mystik JT-5 fluid Wolfman points out.
Last I knew, you could get it at Tractor Supply, if you have one nearby. It's not cheap, but less expensive than others, and real good stuff so I hear.
Will do... I just went by what the manual told me.ill try the UDT and report back... hopefully there are no baskets or o rings blown.
Russell King
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There are several gallons of fluid in the transmission so I don’t think adding a quart makes lot of difference really.
I have a L185 and had both problems already mentioned, clogged vent tube and then later on blew the seal in the hydraulic pump so oil level was high.
Replacing the seal is easy-if you get the correct one. My hydraulic pump did not match the seal from using the tractor serial number so first seal would not fit. Second go round I just ordered all of the seals that were available for my tractor model since they are low cost. Also replaced all o rings in pump and on piping that attached to pump. There is also a gasket between pump and engine block to replace.
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I have a L185 and had both problems already mentioned, clogged vent tube and then later on blew the seal in the hydraulic pump so oil level was high.
Replacing the seal is easy-if you get the correct one. My hydraulic pump did not match the seal from using the tractor serial number so first seal would not fit. Second go round I just ordered all of the seals that were available for my tractor model since they are low cost. Also replaced all o rings in pump and on piping that attached to pump. There is also a gasket between pump and engine block to replace.
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So where is the filter and screen located? My manual is a little vague on the location. I found the vent and cleaned it accordingly.
Daren Todd
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Screen is located near the bottom of the transmission. Follow the pickup line for the hydraulic pump back to the where it ties into the side of the transmission. Directly on the opposite side of the transmission from the tie in is a cover. Remove the two bolts for the cover and you can access the screen.
Make sure and drain the transmission fluid first before removing the cover. If not you will get a face full of hydraulic fluid.
Make sure and drain the transmission fluid first before removing the cover. If not you will get a face full of hydraulic fluid.