Problems starting my ZG327

[LLC1255]

Hey everybody,
Im new to the site but have been reading alot and gathered alot of useful information already.. Thanks for that and im wondering if anybody is or has experienced the problems ive been having lately with my ZG327..
I have a 2008 ZG327 that has 475hrs on it. I recently started mowing yards for a living. Mower usually starts up in morning with little to no problem besides blowing out black smoke for about 10 seconds. When i use it for a couple hrs and get it warm then load and go to next job is when I start having my troubles. When shutting it off after mowing it will act like it wants to start back up then will backfire. Once I get to next job it takes me several times to start sometimes even 5 minutes and when it finally starts it puffs out black smoke and will hesitate when engage blade.. I changed both fuel filters at 300 hrs. I have done all recommended maintenance as Kubota recommends on schedule within 10 hrs give or take. Recently i changed spark plugs (black as coal) thinking this may solve problem but it didnt. Thanks in advance for advice and input

 

[LLC1255]

Hey I just learned today that there was a recall on several Kubota mowers carburators n 2008 and my unit just happened to be one of those. Now the tricky part is getting my dealer to warranty this since I didnt receive the memo and my mower is out of warranty through Kubota

 

[birddogger]

If your dealer doesn't cover it I would go kicking and screaming to Corporate.

If it is just replace a needle and seat then it is probably not a pricey repair, but if they want you to pay for a whole carburetor I'd raise a BIG dust cloud.
Complain about how "wash-down" has probably caused irreversible damage to the cylinders and will lead to premature demise. "It doesn't have that many hours on it and should still be purring like a kitten." "Is this thing gonna burst into flames while I'm riding it?"

 

[LLC1255]

Yes birdogger I was fully prepared to do that and let them know yesterday when they told me it was no longer under warranty and that they sent out warnings to customers about carb problems in over 9500 units in 2008(which I never received, though I have moved a couple times since 08). After getting a little run around they called me back yesterday afternoon and said if i brought it in this morning(which I just got back from doing) they should be able to replace carb in 3 hrs at no charge to me and will call as soon as its done. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes. Also, what type of cylinder problems or further engine problems could this cause? Since its been known by Kubota for 3 yrs now these units have had defected carbs you would think they'd cover more than just the carb if causes internal damage

 

[LLC1255]

Im pissed that my dealer who is a full service Kubota dealer didnt CALL me and make sure I was aware of this problem. I've seen where some dealers will call customers when warranty is almost up which to me is great customer service but mine didnt do that neither

 

[birddogger]

Glad to hear they are covering it.

"Wash-down" is when the excess fuel (black smoke-sooty plugs) thins out the film of oil in the cylinders during start up, before oil pressure comes up. This slightly increases wear since really the oil ring keeps oil from the top-cylinder anyway. It becomes a big unknown, how long would it last normally, how long will it last now? don't know. If it was only a short period this was happening it is probably no big deal. I was just giving you some catch-phrases to support your argument for a free fix.

Just be strict with keeping good oil in it and on time, give it a minute of "warm-up" before revving it up and putting it under load; and you should be good. These are normal things that help the life of any engine. If you are headed to mow a heavy "hay field" (overgrown lawn), really let it come to temperature before hitting it full power. This lets engine parts settle in to their full temperature, expanded positions, and ready to rock and roll. Think about how long tractors last, but they putt on out to the north 40, warmed up, drop the plow, come up to full rated RPM, and go to work. Putt back to the barn when done, cooling slowly.

It may be good to call them and have them change the oil and air filter since it is laid up this morning anyway. Throw them the bone for not putting you through the wringer over this. Then you know the oil is not diluted and loaded with soot.

 

[LLC1255]

The defected carburator has been replaced with a new one and I actually mowed until dark today to catch up.. Mower seems to be running more smooth and didnt have any problems with it starting today. On my last yard though it did act like it was gonna start back up when I loaded it up and turned off. Any idea what causes this?? Lean or rich?? Any possiblitlies or suggestions? As far as oil maintenance goes I always change it on time if not earlier than recommended on my Kubota L2900 and ZG327 as well as all my other equipment. I use fully synthetic Castrol for my truck. I grease my mower fitting daily, blow out outer air filters weekly and change tranmission fluid as recommended.

 

[LLC1255]

btw, I did put some sea foam in oil and gas tank before running it today to help with the "wash up" possibilities.. Thanks for the help and heads up birddogger

 

[birddogger]

was gonna start back up when I loaded it up and turned off. Any idea what causes this?? Lean or rich?? Any possiblitlies or suggestions?

If I understand correctly, you turned it off and it sputtered and ran-on for a second. That's not that unusual. Just let it idle for about 5 or 10 seconds before turning the key to "off." The sparkplugs will glow hot enough to cause the "dieseling" when shut-down after a long/hard run. If it keeps doing that even after a 10 second cool-down rest, you could try a "cooler" plug by 1 step. Carbs are usually fixed jet (by EPA rules) so they do run leaner than years ago to minimize emissions. Leaner equals hotter, that's what helps burn up the emissions.

 

[cmorningstar01]

Carbon deposits could also be contributing to the dieseling when you shut it down, The excess fuel from the defective carb could have resulted in carbon deposits and now that the engine is running correctly they may be getting hot and glowing red and working just like a glow plug even when the ignition is shut down. They should burn off with normal operation of the machine. Allowing the engine to cool down before shutting it off as birddogger has suggested is always a good idea with any engine.