Longer crank /smoke plume

[Spudly007]

Morning, brand new Kubota owner and I was looking for a little info. My 2008 3030 has 650hrs and it’s been a while since I’ve been around NA diesel engines- a 10 second crank and a mushroom cloud of black smoke typical? It seems to run well after cold start up. I was just suspecting a leaky injector or possibly a fuel heater- if it has one -not working- thoughts?

 

[Russell King]

Are the glow plugs coming on and working properly? You may be in control of them or the tractor may be in control. Do you know how to “properly“ start the tractor?

The problem is a good description of needing more glow plugs operating or just not being used long enough. And I assume it is still cool there in BC

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Glow plugs are fine, white smoke on cold start is glow plugs or coolant.
Black smoke is over fuel or lack of air.
Have you checked changed the air cleaner?
If the air is good then injectors are the next choice.

 

[Spudly007]

Thanks guys got it figured, ran a little longer glow plug cycle and it cleans right up!

 

[imarobot]

I cycle my glow plugs twice in the winter before starting the engine and it does start quicker. Don't need to do that with warmer weather.
I do wonder however if it will overheat the glow plugs and cause them to fail sooner.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I've run them 3-5 seconds every startup (unless warm engine) for the past 7 years( 1500 hrs). Always starts up fine. Probably don't need to BUT it works for me......

 

[imarobot]

Mine are on a timer. I believe the ECU measures the coolant temperature and determines how long to have them on. I let go through the first cycle and once they go off, I then turn the key off and back on through another glow plug cycle. Once they go off the second time I start the engine. Definitely helps in cold weather.
Friend of mine has a similar tractor that he always had trouble starting in the winter, showed him my method and his started much easier.
So far so good

 

[RBsingl]

I have used my Deere 955 (Yanmar 1.4L 3cyl) for mowing and a lot of other tasks for many years but 3 years ago a new Kubota F2690 took over mowing duties. The Kubota has been great but one immediate difference I noticed was even in warm weather, the Kubota likes a bit of preheat before starting but the Yanmar in the Deere fires right off without preheat except during the winter.

Nothing wrong with the difference but I did have to adjust my behavior a bit, just like training myself to press the button in my Cadillac CT5-V to disable the stupid stop/start system when I initially start the car.

Rodger

 

[imarobot]

Even in the warmer weather my glow plugs will come on initially, but they won't stay on nearly as long as in the winter.