Kubota dealer says engine is shot on RTV500

Bill Ledford

New member

Equipment
2015 rtv 500
Jul 13, 2025
8
0
1
Eugene, Oregon
Looking for a new ,"used" engine. Wondering if it is worth repairing? I located this unit for a friend. He talked to the owner and ok'ed the purchase. Bought it home it started once and he drove it around the vineyard for a few minutes, shut it off, and it has not run since, Took it to the dealer and after $2100 in trying to locate the problem, we were told the engine needed to be replaced. We are in this over $7400 and have nothing to show for it except headaches. Need some advice. I can do a lot of mechanical work, if we can find parts to fix it. The engine will have to be overhauled. I have seen some rebuild kits for around $300, but don't know much about the quality. Any advise appreciated. Thanks. Bill
 

kevinj

Member

Equipment
L3940hstc - B7500hst - BX1860 - Farmall 560D - Farmall M
Jun 4, 2018
100
6
18
Michigan
I would perform some diagnostic tests to be sure what is wrong.

I also would never pay that kind of money for the diagnosis you got.

They should have given you a very detailed report as to why it needs an engine.

I just looked up that model & it is shows a small gas engine????

That should have been a very simple diagnosis!!
 
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GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
curious, found this...
is this the rig with the Subaroo engine from HELL ??
 

Bill Ledford

New member

Equipment
2015 rtv 500
Jul 13, 2025
8
0
1
Eugene, Oregon
curious, found this...
is this the rig with the Subaroo engine from HELL ??
curious, found this...
is this the rig with the Subaroo engine from HELL ??
 

GeoHorn

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Lifetime Member

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M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,229
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113
Texas
I thought the only RTV with a Subaru engine was the RTV 400…. and the problem really wasn’t the engine…it was the CVT transmission.
The engine was discontinued after that model anyway…so Kubota used their own 2-cyl gas engine in the RTV500.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
Here is a good link to working on it.