Hello, first time writer here, and needing some help please. I have a 2022 svl 97-2HFC with 180 hours. Bought it new then husband got sick, so havent run it much. He was running it tho, and the machine shut down on him while using it. Just died. We checked the normal things to check, separator, filters, fuel lines, pumps. Fuel was coming into the separator and filter had clean fuel in it. I'm guessing the injector pump went out. Kubota is blaming it on us and bad fuel. Almost $8000. Replacing 2 pumps, idler, gear pump and all lines and things that go with it. My question is does it seem reasonable that bad fuel could tear up a pump, if it csnt draw the fuel up, as in the injector pump? why would the the gear pump need to be replaced? How does it play in there? wouldn't this whole incident ruin the engine? But only if the fuel was sent thru the injector pump? Below are the mechanics notes emailed to me. Maybe i t can shed some light. We did look at the fuel, no water in sep, no unusual smell or consistency. No codes ever came up when it happened. from kubota dealership: The Tech did not find any codes on the unit or any internal codes. Found the fuel was yellow and smelled like diluted varnish. Turn the key on and it would not draw fuel into the filler. Removed assembly, inspected inlet nipple - CLEAN. Removed filler and loosely mounted assy. connected fuel line and turned on switch and immediately it filled with fuel, order filters Pumped out fuel, added 5 gallons of new diesel and flushed line Replaced separator filter and fuel filter and pumped fuel through system. Unit still unable to crank. Battery run down - was unable to jump off - Removed Battery and charged Mounted Battery and tried to crank engine - nothing Broke line loose @ High pressure pump, not getting fuel out of pump Removed planetary gears, moved to wash rack and removed Radiator/cooler Removed fan and bothe belts, loosened compressor bracket and removed cover, found idler broken out (took picture) These are the notes from the Tech. Any advise will be greatly appreciated. They say no warranty. But I think I'll fight that. Sorry so long. thanks!
Skid Steer died, won't start 2022 svl 97 2
- Thread starter MissyD
- Start date
North Idaho Wolfman
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If contaminated fuel was run through it, then yes all of that damage is very plausible.
And sorry, but Kubota will not warranty it for contaminated fuel.
Yellow and or varnish smell is a classic Gasoline contamination.
But it could also be DEF contamination.
If you have KTAC, then put in a claim with them or if it was home use your home owners insurance might help.
And sorry, but Kubota will not warranty it for contaminated fuel.
Yellow and or varnish smell is a classic Gasoline contamination.
But it could also be DEF contamination.
If you have KTAC, then put in a claim with them or if it was home use your home owners insurance might help.
Just got the fuel test back that I ordered (Kubota was basing their "bad fuel" theory on just sight alone, not officially having tested it), the fuel was not contaminated. What else could have caused the pump so much damage that it broke gears? other than the pump itself being first inferior/damaged?
I see the OP had the fuel tested, and it was not contaminated. I could be mistaken, but I believe one of the exclusions under KTAC insurance if damage caused by contaminated fuel
North Idaho Wolfman
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There are mutiple reasons that pump could have failed.
All of it would be pure speculation on my part as I didn't see the pump.
Was the fuel that was tested, from the unit before they cleaned it out and refilled it?
Did they give you the sample?
If they did then, I would question them on their Fuel Contamination assessment.
And if the fuel was not contaminated then warranty should take care of it.
The fuel was give to me in a used Coke bottle ( what is fuel contaminate assessment)? I couldn't see or smell anything wrong with it, so sent it to Blackstone for testing. it came back noncontaminated and actually tested better than the average diesel fuel. It did say there were traces (defined as <0.1%, of insolubles. I went to the dealership yesterday and he first told me it had nothing to do with the fuel bc the high flow pump failed. This was bc he thought it wasnt covered under warranty (insisted it wasn't). After leaving to go call Kubota, he came back and now insisted it was due to comtamintated fuel and they would have to send the fuel off for testing. No sure where they intend to get the fuel since they drained the tank. Said my test was useless. He then told me the pump was damaged by not receiving fuel from the water sep filter and not likely covered anyway. Wouldn't admit it was covered under warranty, even if not damaged by bad fuel, said fuel system wasn't covered under emission warranty. He was shop supervisor. He's gonna "get back to me" after he talks to his mechanic and sends the fuel off. I either need to hire a good attorney, OR better yet, a good mechanic to talk their language (hinthint). There is no Ktac ins. This is type of mechanical failure probably happens more than we know, we just can't get everyone together to see how bad the problem is. very interested in any suggestions or what might have caused this.
One question I have tho....there are 2 different versions of the Operator Manual for this machine. One version show this machine to have a filter in the filler pump. T escribes how to clean it at 500 hours. The other version does not mention it at all. Here is however, a part number for it. Kubota could not tell me why there are 2 versions and which one was correct for my machine. Dealership didnt know. I'm sure you guys would know...is there a filter or no in the filler pump? Is it serial number specific whether it has one or not? Thanks
One question I have tho....there are 2 different versions of the Operator Manual for this machine. One version show this machine to have a filter in the filler pump. T escribes how to clean it at 500 hours. The other version does not mention it at all. Here is however, a part number for it. Kubota could not tell me why there are 2 versions and which one was correct for my machine. Dealership didnt know. I'm sure you guys would know...is there a filter or no in the filler pump? Is it serial number specific whether it has one or not? Thanks
dealers claim is bad fuel. They have not tested the fuel.
You claim good fuel. You've got test results proving your case, they don't for theirs.
They've dumped all your fuel so where's their fuel test gonna come from? The fresh fuel tank out back or fill up another cup when someone goes to fill up their personal truck?
Get EVERYTHING documented, work orders, conversations recorded, everything.
KTAC (or kubota warranty) comes along and says where's the test results. You give yours, they come up with one for theirs both saying good fuel. So now what? Insurance is gonna say "mechanical failure" which is not covered by their end, and warranty is gonna say "we don't know". If they don't know, they can't prove it was a defect, you can't prove it was a defect, they can't prove it was a defect and neither can you. Thus nothing is black and white, only gray and gray. So with that, they (whoever) are gonna deny the claim because they reserve the right to.
So if you want it covered you're gonna have to find out WHAT caused it-and I know that's what you're doing, but prepare yourself for a war.
You claim good fuel. You've got test results proving your case, they don't for theirs.
They've dumped all your fuel so where's their fuel test gonna come from? The fresh fuel tank out back or fill up another cup when someone goes to fill up their personal truck?
Get EVERYTHING documented, work orders, conversations recorded, everything.
KTAC (or kubota warranty) comes along and says where's the test results. You give yours, they come up with one for theirs both saying good fuel. So now what? Insurance is gonna say "mechanical failure" which is not covered by their end, and warranty is gonna say "we don't know". If they don't know, they can't prove it was a defect, you can't prove it was a defect, they can't prove it was a defect and neither can you. Thus nothing is black and white, only gray and gray. So with that, they (whoever) are gonna deny the claim because they reserve the right to.
So if you want it covered you're gonna have to find out WHAT caused it-and I know that's what you're doing, but prepare yourself for a war.
whitetiger
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The operator's manual was updated, and one item included in the update was the electric fuel pump filter service.
All SVL95-2 & SVL97-2 machines have a filter at the end of the fuel lift pump.
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Here is the sad reality of it all,
The dealership sounds like they didn't dot there i's and cross their t's, and very well could have dropped the ball on getting it properly warrantied.
You will spend far more than the repair cost on a lawyer to try and sue them, and they have really good lawyers.
I would get the unit back at the lowest cost you can and never deal with that dealership again.
The dealership sounds like they didn't dot there i's and cross their t's, and very well could have dropped the ball on getting it properly warrantied.
You will spend far more than the repair cost on a lawyer to try and sue them, and they have really good lawyers.
I would get the unit back at the lowest cost you can and never deal with that dealership again.
Can I get further information on the "Fuel Contamination Assessment" please. Is this something Kubota would require or stipulate the dealership to do? Is it mandatory for coverage to be considered? Is there penalty if not done? Is it available to the customer? Also, do you know who Kubota uses to test their fuel in a situation like this?
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I'm sorry I can't answer any of these questions.
I don't work for a Kubota dealership, or for Kubota Corp.
But knowing how most dealers work, it's probably up to the dealership to assess what they need to do.
I would write corporate a letter asking these questions, You should get an answer.
Sorry wish I could give you better answers.
whitetiger
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Kubota dictates which lab the fuel sample is sent to for analysis.
A picture of the fuel filter is also required. That filter must be a Kubota filter or one that meets or exceeds Kubota filter specs. If either of the criteria fails, your warranty is void.
What would you do if the mechanic says there is no filter in the filler pump? Go open it up myself and look? Take his word for it? If there is, it could help determine if fuel was actually getting past the first filter. maybe? idk. They have since then sent the injectors off to be tested. Interestingly, the mechanic did say that there was no way they could test any fuel after him giving me that bottle, as there would not be a source of fuel to use. So in theory, they really don't have much to stand on, hopefully.
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Read what @whitetiger wrote, he would be the one that knows the process.
Your first statement does not make a lot of sense to me.
"No filter in the filler pump"
This would mean to me that they are saying that where ever your getting you fuel from is not filtering their fuel???
It is up to you to know how good the fuel is that's being used on the machine, but yes not easy to do.
Is that what they are saying?