D950 won't start....need some help.

[Rellim51]

I recently bought an old Jocobsen T422D mower with a Kubota D950 engine. The previous owner said the engine was running great 2 years ago when the transmission went out on the mower and he parked it. I charged the battery and it turns over but I can't get it to run.

This is what I have done so far.

Bled the fuel system (bled at the filter, inlet hose at the pump, bleeder screw on pump, and injector lines at injectors)

Removed and checked glow plugs (all 3 glow red when touched directly to a battery)

Checked power at glow plugs using dash button (only getting 5-8 volts but the indicator will eventually glow red on the dash)

Before I knew better....I sprayed a little Ether in the intake but it still wouldn't fire off.

What's my next step to getting this engine to run??

 

[Grumpy560]

Since you have loosened all 3 injector lines at the injectors and bled all the air out then I assume you had fuel there? NEVER use either on these little engines.

If you cycle the glow plugs 30 seconds to a minute then it should have fired right off.

1) on the intake side of engine there is a stop lever mounted to the side of the injection pump. Make sure the lever is all the way to the right, towards the front of engine.

2) check the stop solenoid for correct adjustment and operation.

3) Air, fresh fuel, hot glow plugs and good compression and it should run.

My next move would be a compression test.

Stop lever..................

 

[Tooljunkie]

Does it have decompression lever?

 

[Rellim51]

Yes, I had fuel at the injectors. Not sure how you can tell if all the air is out but I cracked all 3 lines and cranked the engine until fuel was coming out.

Should I be getting 12 volts to the glow plugs? I'm only getting about 8v.

There is a lever there but it seems to want to stay in the middle.

If it has a decompression lever, I haven't found it.

I haven't put fresh fuel in it yet, it was full 2 years ago when it was parked but the fuel looks and smells good.

I think one of my problems is the engine isn't cranking over as fast as I think it should. I've tried different batteries I have laying around, jumping it off, and using my battery charger (140 amp boost) but nothing really makes a difference. The volt gauge always drops to about 10v when cranking.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Any smoke out exhaust when cranking?

 

[Rellim51]

Yes it does. Looks kinda gray.

 

[Grumpy560]

Dump the 2 year old diesel and put fresh fuel in. Clean the battery cables on both ends. Its been sitting for 2 or more years and I'm sure corrosion has built up.

Also, if the starter is weak its probably not spinning the engine fast enough to fire off. Try jumping it with a vehicle that has an 80amp + alternator and let the engine idle while cranking the D950 over. I limit my cranking time from about 10 to 15 seconds at a time.

You say the stop lever seems to want to stay in the middle? That's not right. It is spring loaded and should stay to the right(front of engine)in the run position. You might want to take the stop lever off, 4 10mm bolts and check the condition of the govonor assembly. The last thing you want is a run a way engine like I had with my D950 that sat unused for many years.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes it does. Looks kinda gray.

I'm betting the injectors are all gummed up, pull them out and take them apart and clean everything.

Also Agree with all of Grumpy560's recommendations too!

 

[Apogee]

I'd dump the fuel and replace the fuel filter. If there is/was any water in the fuel tank the fuel will float on top of the water. Once the fuel filter is contaminated with water it's toast...

Check the back of the key switch for corroded contacts. Also check the back of the glow plug indicator. Either will result in low voltage to the glow plugs.

Depending on the stop mechanism, if it's got an electronic stop solenoid and has been sitting outside, you may or may not being getting voltage to it. The key switches tend to fail when left outside in the weather and it could be culprit. Otherwise, make sure the throttle is open about half way and there isn't a stop cable on the dash that is pulled out. If it's like several of my older tractors, it won't start unless the throttle is opened part way.

I'd also check the air cleaner to make sure it's not plugged up somehow. No air = no run.

Lastly, don't forget to check the engine oil before you start it!

Good luck,

Steve