L4701 discharge leak ?

[Mshannon]

On the left side of the engine (as you are in the seat) the round tube where the loader bolts to the frame.
This area keeps getting black discharge, residue on it coming from above.
Not like a full oil leak, but thicker like residue.
It comes off of the black plastic/rubber shield just behind the starter
So it it originating from somewhere above and behind that.
Really puzzling ..
46 hrs in
When I clean it off..it reappears in about 2 hrs of operation

 

[mcfarmall]

I'd start by power washing the area with some degreaser like purple power. Makes finding the source easier.

 

[Mshannon]

I'd start by power washing the area with some degreaser like purple power. Makes finding the source easier.

The reason I posted here is to see if anyone else has had the same issue on this model and had an explanation.

 

[mcfarmall]

The reason I posted here is to see if anyone else has had the same issue on this model and had an explanation.

Okey dokey, welcome to the forum!

 

[Dave_eng]

If your tractor only has 47 hours on it you need to be giving the symptoms to a Kubota dealer.

Old engines generated oily fumes in the engine crankcase as a result of combustion products getting by piston rings and into the crankcase. In early days these fumes were just allowed to drip on the ground.

Modern engines incorporate emission systems to burn up these fumes. I have attached a page on one such system EGR for exhaust gas re-circulation. Another page on After Treatment systems.

My point in providing this is to give you an idea of how complicated these emission systems are and in your case perhaps something is disconnected resulting in the oily deposit on your loader frame.

Dave

 

[Bark]

Mine has about 60 hrs and is spotless in that area.

 

[bikerdib]

Around 280 hours on mine and nothing like that.

 

[NCL4701]

230hr on mine and spotless in that area. With it still under warranty probably something for the dealer to address as a warranty issue.

 

[Mshannon]

If your tractor only has 47 hours on it you need to be giving the symptoms to a Kubota dealer.

Old engines generated oily fumes in the engine crankcase as a result of combustion products getting by piston rings and into the crankcase. In early days these fumes were just allowed to drip on the ground.

Modern engines incorporate emission systems to burn up these fumes. I have attached a page on one such system EGR for exhaust gas re-circulation. Another page on After Treatment systems.

My point in providing this is to give you an idea of how complicated these emission systems are and in your case perhaps something is disconnected resulting in the oily deposit on your loader frame.

Dave

Thank you
I'm gonna take it in soon

 

[Mshannon]

Mine has about 60 hrs and is spotless in that area.

Good to know..ive got something going on for sure that isn't correct

 

[Mshannon]

Thanks for all the replies
I had done a Google search a few weeks back and some people have had oil leaks on some kubota engines.
This is disappointing because my last tractor a L3901 had no issues and I traded up at 100 hrs to this L4701

Looks like I'll be taking it in soon.
I need it back this fall and hate to drive it 45 miles into the dealer, but it is what it is.

Hopefully it's a fast easy fix without a major engine teardown

 

[William1]

'Looks like'zerk drips from grease squeeze from a TEL.

 

[Bark]

'Looks like'zerk drips from grease squeeze from a TEL.

I was thinking the same thing but after examining mine I couldn't see how it could slop over like that.
Also the pictures of above the starter on the back and front side of the engine show (I think) some sort of gunk.

I am wondering if the globs are composed of oil mixed with chaff powder and dust? If it is it could even be diesel. You smell anything?
This is just me (since my dealer doesn't make house calls and I cant wait until fall) but after taking as many pictures as possible and after clearing it with my dealer, I would probably clean that whole area above the tube using a paint brush with solvent. Than finish cleaning it with soap and water.
Every 15 minutes of operation I would inspect the area to see if I could detect where it is spreading from.
Like I said, that's what I would do but only because it is a real hassle for me to get mine to the dealer.

 

[Mshannon]

'Looks like'zerk drips from grease squeeze from a TEL.

Looks like it yes...but not grease

 

[Mshannon]

Guys I had time to really look it over today and I'm feeling much better about this.
I got to looking above the starter and kept finding more residue..and traced it all the way up the fuel tank to the top of the tank.

About a month ago..I overfill the tank and some fuel came out the clear tube on the right side that drains the round catch area for the fill opening.

What it now looks like is that there was fuel that got out of that round pan and down the tank and has been working its way down ever since
I've been spreading limestone alot and the fine dust has been attracted to the fuel and made this residue.

And as we all know 1 pint of fuel can cover a football field

I cleaned off the residue from the top down and now I'm going to run a couple of hrs and see.

But after inspecting the valve cover and back of the engine..I just don't think I have an oil leak..just left over fuel from that overflow a few weeks ago

As the fuel was partially absorbed by the limestone dust..it made a paste like residue that would fall off in clumps. That's why it looks so much like excess grease from greasing.

I'll report back after a few hrs of operation.

Thanks again to all.

Mark

 

[Mshannon]

Guys I'm happy to report things look fine. No more leak.
It must have been the constant migration of the spilled fuel from a while back.
After cleaning all of the fuel staining from the tank sides it has stopped appearing lower on the frame

Again, thanks to all who chimed in.

 

[bikerdib]

Happy days!