Thinking of purchasing a LX3310 but I have a concern about the strong exhaust fumes that I experienced during a demo. I have also read of this same issue on another forum. Anyone have any info on what the cause/fix is?
Lx3310 Strong Exhaust smell/odor
- Thread starter Bish05
- Start date
Try for a demo on the LX2610. I don't know if it will make a difference but the LX3310 uses a diesel particulate filter and I believe the LX2610 does not. There will still be a diesel smell but you compare the two.
Was it performing a regeneration?
Heat and odor, especially when new, will be noticeable during regen.
SDT
jkrez
Member
Equipment
Gr2120, LX3310, bh77 hoe, 64 inch commercial snow blower, landpride pallet forks
I kept reading about this and it does have a how should I say it, a sharp smell, but it is not that bad to me. I used to be a painting contractor and spray almost daily. Maybe my smell is bad from that. Don’t think I have the rona.
Most likely a regen as stated above. After a few times the smell will be almost totally unnoticeable. I have an F250 after the first few times doing it, I haven't noticed the smell again.
I purchased a Kubota LX3310 in 2023. Trust me the odor problem is for real! I was so happy to buy this new tractor but every time I used it; I could smell exhaust fumes. I could almost taste them and my eyes would burn. As much as I loved the tractor I would get upset when using it. The local dealer installed a diverter but that only sent the fumes off to the side of the motor. It has nothing to do with regen. I wrote Kubota about it and had no help. The dealer service center basically shut me off. The smell problem of the LX3310 is real! I ended up trading it last year on an LX2620 which I love! I feel for anyone that has posted complaints about the smell of the LX3310 and people respond like you are nuts! You are not. I probably lost money on the trade in but in the end, I love my LX2620. Shame on Kubota for ignoring this problem.
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Old Machinist
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
They didn't ignore it but they weren't up front about the fix. There is a "fix as fails" TSB-2022-035-E-R2 your dealer and Kubota SHOULD have told you about. It covers the fix for 5 years from the in service date free of charge.
A corporate warranty person told me about 5 different "fix as fails" TSBs on the LX3310. I discovered later they try to keep it from becoming common knowledge and have them all labeled as confidential and proprietary.
Mine did it at first but I haven't had the TSB performed but I plan to before the warranty period expires.
I did get the dealer to apply the TSB for jerky motion and it made the tractor much more enjoyable.
A corporate warranty person told me about 5 different "fix as fails" TSBs on the LX3310. I discovered later they try to keep it from becoming common knowledge and have them all labeled as confidential and proprietary.
Mine did it at first but I haven't had the TSB performed but I plan to before the warranty period expires.
I did get the dealer to apply the TSB for jerky motion and it made the tractor much more enjoyable.
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I did call the dealer that I purchased the LX3310 from. He said there was a bulletin about a fix for the exhaust smell. I assumed they did the work. When I got it back it still smelled. Then I called a different dealer and they asked for the serial number and said that mine already had the upgrade for the smell done at the factory. Therefore, I took that as “Deal With It” Maybe my nose is more sensitive than others but the smell drove me crazy, before a regen, after, I hated the smell. Like I said before I traded it in on a LX2620. This time I got a cab which I love. The point I was making with my post is that those that have been turned off by the smell are far from alone. Maybe there is a fix, maybe not. I got sick of dealing with it and traded it in.
Old Machinist
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
That's not reassuring. I would like to hear from any that had the TSB performed and if it fixed the problem or not. It is apparently a pretty big service that pays the dealer over 9 hours labor.
Other than the normal diesel engine smell (which I happen to like), what is it with the 3310 engine that is causing an unpleasant smell?
I have a new LX2620 that sounds & smells correctly.
Andreas
I have a new LX2620 that sounds & smells correctly.
Andreas
My lx3520 has a similar smell to my old lx3310 just not as strong at all. Both seemed definitely worse closer to a regeneration cycle for sure. My service manager said on some they changed injectors as a service recall other times they replaced the dpf. Something to do with the rare earth metals inside. I dunno
that’s just what he said dont kill the messengernbryan
Well-known member
Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Old Machinist
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
The strong smell issue must not be a constant or all the time condition. The bulletin reads " During certain working conditions, the LX3310 may produce a strong exhaust gas smell. "
There is another TSB for injectors failing that reads " The injectors may become defective due to manufacturing variations and operating environment, causing engine power drop only when coolant temperatures are above 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). "
This one doesn't mention smell.
If mine had the TSB performed and still smelled I would suspect the dealer didn't perform the service and ask for verification that the prescribed parts were in fact installed on my tractor.
BUT, having been a mechanic in a former life I have trust issues. I never made a lot of money as an honest mechanic but I was acquainted with some that made double or more than I ever did. Most of them didn't do it honestly.
There is another TSB for injectors failing that reads " The injectors may become defective due to manufacturing variations and operating environment, causing engine power drop only when coolant temperatures are above 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). "
This one doesn't mention smell.
If mine had the TSB performed and still smelled I would suspect the dealer didn't perform the service and ask for verification that the prescribed parts were in fact installed on my tractor.
BUT, having been a mechanic in a former life I have trust issues. I never made a lot of money as an honest mechanic but I was acquainted with some that made double or more than I ever did. Most of them didn't do it honestly.
My LX3520 Cab HSTC does have a stonger smell during regen. Not a big deal to me.
This is just a dynamite tractor. I’m amazed at what this little tractor can do considering it’s such a small form factor.
I’m pushing 67 hrs on mine now. Had a few regens during winter while plowing snow and a couple more recently digging out a 30 x 30 garden for my wife and adding good top soil / compost mix (approx 3 yards).
Noticed the regen smell more so in the warmer weather.
Didn’t really notice it while plowing this winter.
I’ve got to be honest; was looking at the MX5400 (more than I needed 9 out of 10 times) and there’s been a cpl times when I needed it … that being said - the LX3520 HSTC is just a great compact tractor - no regrets.
Absolutely love it!
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Old Machinist
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
The smell we are talking about is eye watering and not related to a regen cycle. I have had times I was raking leaves into the bucket and had to shut the engine off to stand in front of the machine. Even then the smell would linger in the air.
Exactly what I am talking about!! I am sure I lost thousands of dollars trading it in. Burns my ass that the dealer would say to me "they all smell" or even when I traded it in when I brought it to the dealer that I purchased my new one from the salesman said I have to tell you I did not smell anything. Even though it sucks, it is nice to hear someone explain what it is like when it makes your eyes water. I was so excited to have the brand new tractor and the smell would just ruin every minute I used it. Thank you for your post!
Wow … OK, I’ve never experienced such a ripe smell that made my eyes water. Not sure what to say on that as I’ve never experienced that.
I've had my LX3310 for three years and when new it did have a strong odor but it went away after use. For the most part I only notice the exhaust odor is about an hour before a regen.
Old Machinist
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
I bought mine with 200 hours on it and it was constant when I got it. I have about 70 hours on it now and it seems better. I have a couple years left for eligibility so I am going to wait a little while longer before trying to get the fix as fails done. Maybe it's just something in the DPF that takes time to burn out.