L2502 smoking on cold start

[Orange man]

Anyone have the bulletin from Kubota on the L2502 smoking on cold start? A number or copy would be great.

 

[jimh406]

Nope, but if it smokes more on colder weather start, you might try using the glow plugs a bit more.

 

[Orange man]

This has nothing to do with the glow plugs, it is a pump timing issue

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is it smoke or steam, I had a huge run around with a customer years ago where it was steam and not actual smoke.
I not saying your wrong, just that it's a possibility.
Get video proof of it smoking.

 

[Marky]

This has nothing to do with the glow plugs, it is a pump timing issue

I just got my 2502 back from the dealer. It only has 4 hours on it. They picked it up and repaired it after I sent them a video of it smoking during a cold start on a warm day. They removed a .20 shim from the pump.
I had opened a warranty case with Kubota after getting the run around from the original dealer. The Kubota rep told me there was not a service bulletin, but maybe she just couldn’t find it.
The dealer that did the work contacted a regional Kubota rep who advised them to remove the shim. Now I get just barely a wisp of gray smoke if I do not use the glow plugs. None if I do…. I can’t complain. They picked it up, repaired it, and returned it at no charge.

 

[Orange man]

Thanks, I am looking to buy one but want it fixed before I do, there is a bulletin now, one dealer read part of it to me but would not give me a copy of it. Another dealer says they have never heard of problem and says he could not find the bulletin?

 

[Marky]

Thanks, I am looking to buy one but want it fixed before I do, there is a bulletin now, one dealer read part of it to me but would not give me a copy of it. Another dealer says they have never heard of problem and says he could not find the bulletin?

You might try calling the Kubota Customer Satisfaction number in Texas. I still have the case open on mine. The contact is Annette. Very nice to work with. My dealer should have updated her records which may include the service bulletin info or she may be able to find it now. Heck, maybe they created the bulletin because of my complaining.

 

[Orange man]

Thank you, It has been a problem for a while, you would think they would have fixed it by now. Not sure why they made so many changes from the L2501 engine? Maybe I should keep the one I got,,,,

 

[Marky]

I agree. Apparently it varies in severity. Dealers, like the one i originally used, will tell you it is steam, water in the fuel, or to “let us know if it gets worse”. Even a “let us know if it does not get better” would be more comforting to hear.
Personally, I did not want to run mine as they told me to, and then get blamed for using bad fuel, additives or whatever and denied warranty coverage. Hope it works out for you….

 

[Orange man]

One salesman ran the glow plugs for a long time, They want me to buy it, then they will "fix" it. Any other problems besides the cold start? Thanks

 

[Marky]

One salesman ran the glow plugs for a long time, I told him Kubota says 2 seconds for the temp we were starting it in. They want me to buy it, then they will "fix" it. Any other problems besides the cold start? Thanks

No problems at all. I have been very happy with it. I will say it seems to have more power after the fix. Apparently removing the .20 shim advances the injection timing by 2 degrees. It has more time to burn fuel rather than spewing it out the pipe.
Got it back from the dealer last week and used it a good bit today hauling firewood with the grapple. I got the gear drive model with the revised R4 tires.

 

[Orange man]

Thanks, I wanted a gear drive but I need a live pto. I like the looks of those new R4 tires. I am sure the timing adjustment helped a lot. Just frustrating you have to pull a new tractor apart.

 

[The Evil Twin]

They want me to buy it, then they will "fix" it.

Uhhh, no.
Hopefully there is another dealer close enough to go to.