Okay, I knew I was going to have to cut grass today, so I went out and made sure my L235 started okay. I went out and it started on the first try. I went and picked up my trailer this morning, the tractor again started fine and I loaded it on the trailer. I then hauled it to my rental property, to cut grass. While enroute, I stopped at the gas station and topped off the fuel tank. Once at my rental property, I attempted to start the tractor. It is currently in the 90's here and I heated the glow plugs for about 15 seconds. The tractor acted as if it was going to start and then died. I again heated the glow plugs, pulled the compression relief knob and attempted to start it again. It again acted as if it was going to start, then died and gave out a white cloud of smoke. From this point on, the tractor just turns over and doesn't even act like it is going to start. It is turning over fine/free. I just saw that you should not try ether, to start it. I did some research and found that it may be the glow plugs. However, I do not want to go spend money on them, if I don't need to. The question I have is, do glow plugs go out that quickly? Started fine last night, started fine a hour prior to not starting and now nothing. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated! I am not very familiar with diesel engines and or this Kubota tractor. I purchased it about 4 months ago and this is the first issue I have had. Thanks up front for any in put!
L235 will not start
- Thread starter DByers
- Start date
Lil Foot
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
You didn't put gasoline in it instead of diesel, by any chance? Seems odd the problem would develop so suddenly right after topping off.....
freewheel3
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Equipment
MX5000DT LA852, BX1800D, B6000DT, B6200HSTD, B7100HSTD, L185, T1700HX, ZD1211
Even if the glow plugs are NFG all of a sudden (doubtful), with Temps in the 90s it should still start without them, even if you have to crank it quite awhile.
You didn't forget the fuel shut off or something simple like that?
When was the last time the fuel filter(s) were changed?
Heat and humidity equals moisture when cooled. First thing I'd check are fuel filters for water... any whitish residue in the lower most part of either filter? Strong probability related to refueling.
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Does the L235 have manual fuel shut off like a B7100 or solenoid shut off like the newer models?
If it has solenoid shut off then I would check that that solenoid is getting power, simple test light with the key on will do that.
If it has solenoid shut off then I would check that that solenoid is getting power, simple test light with the key on will do that.
If it's anything like my L245, then it does have a fuel shut off valve, on the hot side of the engine at the base of the fuel tank. What I've noticed on mine is that if I turn off the fuel, whenever I go to turn it back on, the line has a substantial amount of air in it. It will then proceed to act similar to what you described. I then have to pull out the ~14mm wrench and bleed it at the pump. Starts right up after that. I'm thinking there is probably an o-ring or something in the valve which needs to be replaced. I resorted to leaving the fuel valve open all the time. I'd be curious if anyone has tried taking the valve apart for service?