Starting a Kubota L260

[bigmike0003]

Good Afternoon all:
I have purchased a Kubota L260 last year and it was starting good until winter hit and then it wouldn't. Prior to winter it wouldn't start without a slight spray of all. fluid- not much at all. Then it wouldn't at all.

Yesterday I replaced fuel and fuel filter and it started but not without a spray again. Any suggestions st all?

Thanks, Mike

 

[kevinj]

Good Afternoon all:
I have purchased a Kubota L260 last year and it was starting good until winter hit and then it wouldn't. Prior to winter it wouldn't start without a slight spray of all. fluid- not much at all. Then it wouldn't at all.

Yesterday I replaced fuel and fuel filter and it started but not without a spray again. Any suggestions st all?

Thanks, Mike

Get a manual???? Most Kubota have a glow plug system.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Not clear what you meant by "a spray", but if you mean some aerosol starting fluid like ether, please STOP. It will ruin a Kubota engine. It does sound like the glow plugs are not working or you have not used them? As suggested see if you can't find a shop manual or owner's manual to see what the correct starting procedure is for your model. Then if still not starting there are folks here to help trouble shoot. Welcome to the forum!

 

[D2Cat]

Once you get the glow plugs working if you still can not get it to start, continued use of your "spray" will eventually destroy the cylinder walls and other internal parts of the engine requiring rebuilding it.

You need to determine why it won't start and fix it. Ought to take a reading of the compression. That may tell you all you need to know. But get the glow plugs working first.

 

[bigmike0003]

It does have glow plugs and the indicator shows they heat up but still doesn't start. Glow plugs are inexpensive, should I try replacing them? Also what should the throttle position be when attempting to start?

 

[100 td]

Shop manual with wiring diagram here, feel the top of each glow plug to detect warmth.
Make sure you have the decompressor lever closed if it has one. It shouldn't matter because rack should go to full for a start, but set throttle to half JIC. Ensure stop rod is fully returned if it has one. Bleed each injector while cranking. YMMV

http://www.kubotabooks.com/AutoInde...uals/&file=L175 L210 L225 L225DT L260 WSM.pdf

 

[JerryMT]

Good Afternoon all:
I have purchased a Kubota L260 last year and it was starting good until winter hit and then it wouldn't. Prior to winter it wouldn't start without a slight spray of all. fluid- not much at all. Then it wouldn't at all.

Yesterday I replaced fuel and fuel filter and it started but not without a spray again. Any suggestions st all?

Thanks, Mike

It sounds like you are using starting fluid to start the engine. That's a good way to break piston rings and damage the piston lands.
If your engine is hard starting, make sure you have good fuel delivery to the pump and that your glow plugs are working. If you have good fuel delivery and the glow plugs are working, check the compression and the valve clearance.

 

[bigmike0003]

On Tuesday I will be replacing the glow plugs. I have one more question, as I follow the fuel line down it comes to a primer type deal. After the tractor is primed what should the position of the primer be? It pushes down and then can be screwed in.

I appreciate all your help

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm pretty sure it needs to be screwed down to seal it off.

If after glow plugs get changed and if it still has starting issues I would do a compression test, that will tell you where you next point of focus need to be at.

 

[bigmike0003]

Thank you, when I had it running the other day I closed it all the way down and it shut off eventually like it was out of fuel. Probably a stupid question but can I do the compression test myself?

 

[kevinj]

Thank you, when I had it running the other day I closed it all the way down and it shut off eventually like it was out of fuel. Probably a stupid question but can I do the compression test myself?

You still have not verified voltage to the plugs have you???

 

[bigmike0003]

No I haven't, I work away from home. Will be tackling everything on Tuesday. I love the tractor but just need to be able to start without spray.

 

[D2Cat]

Mike, you can test the compression yourself. You can purchase an inexpensive compression testing kit at Harbor Freight for about $30. It has several fittings for various situations. To test you can remove the glow plugs.