Lx3310 Strong Exhaust smell/odor

Bish05

New member

Equipment
B7610, LX3310
May 25, 2021
8
1
3
Ontario Canada
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?
 

Roadworthy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
1,647
526
113
Benton City, WA
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.
 

SDT

Well-known member

Equipment
multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
3,263
1,060
113
SE, IN
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?
Was it performing a regeneration?

Heat and odor, especially when new, will be noticeable during regen.

SDT
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

jkrez

Member

Equipment
Gr2120, LX3310, bh77 hoe, 64 inch commercial snow blower, landpride pallet forks
Apr 16, 2021
85
84
18
Berks County PA
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.
 

Mlarv

Active member

Equipment
BX23S
Jan 19, 2020
227
179
43
Crossville TN
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.
 

Talasdc73

New member

Equipment
Kubota LX2620
Apr 27, 2025
2
3
3
East Aurora NY
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.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Old Machinist

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
May 27, 2024
264
269
63
NE FL
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.
 
Last edited:

Talasdc73

New member

Equipment
Kubota LX2620
Apr 27, 2025
2
3
3
East Aurora NY
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Old Machinist

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
May 27, 2024
264
269
63
NE FL
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.
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.
 

AOW162435

Active member

Equipment
'25 LX2620 / '79 B7100 / '03 JD x595
Jun 16, 2023
127
70
28
Ellicott City, MD
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
 

Mitjam

Well-known member

Equipment
M-108, M6-111, Lx3520, Rtv-520 and LandPride implements
Jan 14, 2013
323
372
63
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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.
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 messenger
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Old Machinist

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
May 27, 2024
264
269
63
NE FL
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.
 

Dusty71

Member

Equipment
LX3520, SCAG Tiger Cat 2
Apr 7, 2023
51
31
18
Warrenton, VA
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.

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!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user