Kubota Excavator - Official Work Thread

[Mike Fox]

Still being planned. Too many projects. Seat belt will be a must if Rollover Protection is built. But until then, it is actually safer without.

[Mike Fox]

IT'S ALIVE...well sort of. Got the motor restarted today, but have a compression knock. It was then end of the day at that point, so I left it at that, and will spend a few minutes this week discussing the issue with the motor guy I know. It is probably as simple as an adjustment. I adjusted the valves today, and perhaps need to adjust again. Getting plenty of fuel, so I may need to adjust the timing of the fuel injection pump. Like I said, end of the day and was time to reflect on the days accomplishments.

[Harold Downey]

Mike,  I once let my diesel tractor run out of fuel.  I bled everything like I should, but it knocked like a son of a gun for a while.  I guess any air affects the fuel delivery and caused the problem due to erratic combustion.  It sounded like some serious engine problem, like a bad rod bearing.  But it went away and was fine.    I hope something similar is happening on the Kubota.

Harold

[Mike Fox]

Oh, that is just about what this sounds like. But it is getting fuel. I need to double check a few things, bleed it again and try again.

[Mike Fox]

A little update. I did not have much time to trouble shoot today. But I did determine the injectors are spraying the mist they are supposed to. So I got thinking there is not enough pressure from the injector pump. So that was removed along with the injectors and will be dropped off Monday for servicing.

[Mike Fox]

Injectors and injector pump were dropped off Monday to be looked at. They called today and told me the injector cups were worn (imagine that after 30 years) and the injector pump distribution valves were also worn (see above note) and gave me an estimate to fix them. I told them to do it. Probably could have gotten away with just fixing the injectors, but only plan on doing this once. But am already planning for them to do it to another diesel we have...

[Mike Fox]

Sounds like new again...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJw1RLyjjX4

[Ira Schreiber]

What is that terrible knocking sound?

[Mike Fox]

It was just a cold diesel at an idle. After I ran it for a half hour or more checking various things, It sounded much better. Plus the sound is amplified from being in the building.

[Ira Schreiber]

I thought that it was opportunity knocking.

[Mike Fox]

It just wants to get out of the garage and play.

[Paul Uhland]

Congrats, Dr. Mike. The patient sounds ready for more dirty fun. 

[Mike Fox]

Proud to say, Kubota performed flawlessly today. I adjusted the valves again this morning after last weekends workout. Then also checked the return line to the fuel tank. I think it was clogged, but was able to clear it by blowing through the line. Last weekend, the motor would intermittently hog up and stall. Like it was getting too much fuel. No problems at all today.