Kubot U17-3a stalled and won’t start again

[Steve Blackdog]

Any ideas? The low fuel light hadn’t come on. I have put another gallon of diesel in, and run the air purge, but it makes no difference. It does seem to be a fuel delivery problem. It‘s only got 165 hours on the clock, so it seems a little soon for a fuel filter.

When it first stalled, it started again - very smoky, but stalled shortly after. Then it started again about six times, but for a few seconds at a time. Now the starter turns the motor over, but no sign of ignition.

I had a look at the air filter, but it isn’t obviously blocked. No sign of water in the water trap.

it’s still under warranty, so I am nervous about getting the spanners out, but annoyingly, it’s right in the way of everything, just sitting there like a beached whale.

Is there anything obvious I might be missing?

Thanks, in advance.

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

Check all the 90 degree bends on the filter housings and tank,

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I am a boiler engineer not a plant engineer but some things are universal- a small amount of dirty fuel will cause problems regardless of the hours it has or has not done.

 

[Giles]

Have you cracked the injectors and checked fuel there then at all points from there, filters are only cheap On Kubota about £9 aftermarket for the paper one in fuel water trap worth changing regularly

 

[Steve Blackdog]

I am a boiler engineer not a plant engineer but some things are universal- a small amount of dirty fuel will cause problems regardless of the hours it has or has not done.

This is my thinking too. I know the chap who was last using it (farming stock) was using red diesel in it, no doubt out of a dispenser on his dad’s farm.

new fuel filter?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

This is my thinking too. I know the chap who was last using it (farming stock) was using red diesel in it, no doubt out of a dispenser on his dad’s farm.

new fuel filter?

Start with the easy stuff - be mad to not chuck a filter on it first.
My old Bobcat E27 (Kubota engine) was only ever filled directly from garage forecourt fuel pumps and was a nightmare for having blocked fuel filters - everything else we run never really have issues between services. I wondered if the Kubota filters are a finer micron than other machines possibly?

 

[V8Druid]

Start with the easy stuff - be mad to not chuck a filter on it first.
My old Bobcat E27 (Kubota engine) was only ever filled directly from garage forecourt fuel pumps and was a nightmare for having blocked fuel filters - everything else we run never really have issues between services. I wondered if the Kubota filters are a finer micron than other machines possibly?

would make a lot of sense - and quite possible

 

[doobin]

Start with the easy stuff - be mad to not chuck a filter on it first.
My old Bobcat E27 (Kubota engine) was only ever filled directly from garage forecourt fuel pumps and was a nightmare for having blocked fuel filters - everything else we run never really have issues between services. I wondered if the Kubota filters are a finer micron than other machines possibly?

The e27 and z had run of fuel filter issues due to the hoses being installed the wrong way from the factory. Thus clogging the smaller inner of the filter much quicker than it would normally the other way.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

morning all!

This is what I have done today:

1) Removed fuel filter and given it a good shake and poured off any fuel in it. I don’t think it’s the filter.

2) tried to start again. nada.

3) removed the water separator jar. There was a little gunk build up, but nothing too bad. Cleaned that and refitted.

However, the separator has not refilled with fuel. I waggled the tap on the separator, but made no difference. I had expected it to fill up when key in on position.

Next step:

Should I drain the fuel tank? Not sure what benefit. See photo of the manual. It says drain the Water? Is that a typo? It’s also says to dispose of the fluid you drain out. Normally I would pass it through a filter and reuse.

warranty : I don’t want to do anything to invalidate my warranty, so I don’t think I should dig much deeper - if there’s a fault, such as the fuel pump having failed, I would want it done under warranty.


As alway, your advice is invaluable, so thanks in advance.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

I think I have the answer. Looks like this has happened to others. Fuel shut off valve solenoids are failing quite often and are being replaced under warranty.

If it is that, I will be a bit pee’d off that no warning from Kubota. I will be on the phone to PV Dobson in the morning.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Well, ten out of ten to PV Dobson.

I called 8:15 this morning. I’m a good 45 minutes from the depot. By 10:30, the engineer had been, sorted to problem and was on his merry way again.

There was a recall campaign for the shut off solenoid, which he duly swapped. But, as it hadn’t popped its fuse, he thinks it hadn’t failed.

He traced the problem to muck in the fuel lines that had blocked the connection to the water separator. He gave everything a good clean and hey presto.

100% happy customer.

 

[Gecko]

Good result, but a blocked fuel line before the filter is a bit of a worry.
If there is any space available (highly unlikely on a machine this size), I'd consider adding a decent pre-filter so this doesn't happen again.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Good result, but a blocked fuel line before the filter is a bit of a worry.
If there is any space available (highly unlikely on a machine this size), I'd consider adding a decent pre-filter so this doesn't happen again.

the blockage was right at the connector to the water separator. It was a great lump of congealed gloopy fuel - like thick phlegm. All I can assume is that this was sediment from the fuel bowser the farmer used to fill his 30 litre plastic container he keeps his (red) diesel in.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

the blockage was right at the connector to the water separator. It was a great lump of congealed gloopy fuel - like thick phlegm. All I can assume is that this was sediment from the fuel bowser the farmer used to fill his 30 litre plastic container he keeps his (red) diesel in.

Clear 25l cans is my preference. I play with fuel (usually Kero) all the time and its bizarre where dirt finds itself even with good hygiene. Gloopy s**t would likely be fuel bug that lives on the interface between fuel and water. I would be cleaning my tank out and washing clean if that was mine - you may very likely be going to get a repeat incident if you haven't cleaned tank out.

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

I did say to check all the 90deg bends in the fuel system on Saturday

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Clear 25l cans is my preference. I play with fuel (usually Kero) all the time and its bizarre where dirt finds itself even with good hygiene. Gloopy s**t would likely be fuel bug that lives on the interface between fuel and water. I would be cleaning my tank out and washing clean if that was mine - you may very likely be going to get a repeat incident if you haven't cleaned tank out.

What’s your recommended way of cleaning a tank that’s been contaminated with fuel bug, and what fuel treatment (if any!) would you suggest to kill it off/prevent it from showing up in the first place?!

 

[Stroppymonkey]

What’s your recommended way of cleaning a tank that’s been contaminated with fuel bug, and what fuel treatment (if any!) would you suggest to kill it off/prevent it from showing up in the first place?!

Not so strong on fuel bug as you don’t really get it on kerosene. With derv I tend to steam clean a tank out or wash it with kerosene and then let it dry. I believe that you can spray the inside with biocide but logistics can be akwards.
On my forklift I wash it out with petrol then blow it out with leaf blower .