2007 L3400 engine skipping

Northern

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L3400 HST
Dec 26, 2013
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Vermont
I have a 2007 L3400 with 314 hours. All maintenance was done on schedule including a 300 hr oil change using shell rotella T6. Immediately after hauling a wagon load of firewood the engine started skipping, lost power and began to blow blue smoke (the tractor had no load when this happened and had been running smoothly when hauling the firewood). I rechecked the oil level and it was a hair above the full mark. Have not restarted the tractor since. Any help would be appreciated as what might be the problem and what to do as am inexperienced with diesel engines. Thanks.
 

85Hokie

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I have a 2007 L3400 with 314 hours. All maintenance was done on schedule including a 300 hr oil change using shell rotella T6. Immediately after hauling a wagon load of firewood the engine started skipping, lost power and began to blow blue smoke (the tractor had no load when this happened and had been running smoothly when hauling the firewood). I rechecked the oil level and it was a hair above the full mark. Have not restarted the tractor since. Any help would be appreciated as what might be the problem and what to do as am inexperienced with diesel engines. Thanks.
Blue = is engine oil burning in one form or another.

Sounds as if a ring broke or is now allowing oil to come into the combustion chamber. Could be a valve seal too, or something worse.

I would do a compression test - and this will tell you IF there is a problem and or what cylinder has it.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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I'm going to say it sounds more like contamination in the fuel.
Sucked in something it didn't like, like water or debris.
Pull the fuel filter note it's condition and the fuel in the bowl, then replace it, then bleed the system all the way to the injectors.
If the problem continues check back, as the next step is to pull the injectors and have them checked and cleaned, and to check flow out of injection pump.
 

Northern

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L3400 HST
Dec 26, 2013
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D2Cat you are right, the tractor got topped off with gasoline by error. (also thanks to wolfman) Obviously need to drain the tank, change the filter, bleed the system, then do you think it would be OK to try to run it?
 

RCW

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I would pull a line near the engine to drain(maybe near fuel filter?), or siphon it out, or both.

Sorry, don't know enough about your particular tractor to make a better recommendation...

Looks like something near filter (or filter itself?) would work.

Go to this site - Agree to the terms, put in L3400 and go to "Fuel System" for a schematic.

https://apps.kubotausa.com/illustrated-parts/
 
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rentthis

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D2Cats suggestion shouldn't be overlooked. I have customers that have put gasoline in my diesel engines and they do exactly what you described. If that's the problem, don't feel bad. Heck, I've done it myself.
 

D2Cat

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Do what RCW suggest, get a fuel line off down low before the fuel filter and let gravity work for you. Be best to install and new fuel filter, then good diesel and go to work!
 

Northern

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L3400 HST
Dec 26, 2013
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Hi, as an update, I drained the fuel tank, cleared the fuel line from tank to filter, emptied the fuel bowl and changed the fuel filter. Had talked with the local Kubota parts man and he thought the tractor would be fine if I did not bleed the fuel injectors. The tractor started right up, sounded a little rough at first and poured out a little smoke until the remaining gas (past the fuel filter) was burned, then idled perfectly.

Thanks for the correct diagnoses!