OT, but someone here will know...

Howdy,

I have a Kubota tractor. It's a 4 cylinder diesel.

For many months, I have had a problem with it that had been confusing, but little more than a nuisance.

Then, yesterday, it became much worse:

Whether the engine is hot, or cold, and no matter what the weather, it starts easily, but then, less than a second of revving up to the throttle setting, the engine dies. The engine speed drops extremely quickly. It behaves as if (driving a gas vehicle) I started it, and then immediately turned off the ignition.

Since this hassle started, it might occur once or twice, but then the engine would start normally.

I will add that once the engine is running normally, it has never quit on its own.

Yesterday, rather than happening once or twice, it happened perhaps twenty times in a row.

And now, finally, my questions:

Because this thing is a diesel, the only way to stop the engine is to deny it fuel. Of course, I suppose it could have been designed with a shut off for the fuel pump, but with that approach, after turning it "off" it would take some time to run dry.

Instead, this engine has a "fuel injector solenoid" that cuts off the fuel supply immediately on turning the key to the "off" position.

My strong suspicion is that the solenoid has gone flaky causing the problem I have described.

Does that diagnosis make sense? Might you think of something else?

And, why would all this only happen on startup?

I have had the problem many times when attempting to start the engine after it had run for hours, and had been shut down for moments. Certainly, it was still at running temperature so that is not the issue. Yet, once it starts running, it keeps running... every time.

Thanks for your thoughts on this,

Reply to
Kenneth
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Change the fuel filter, WBMA

Reply to
Mike Hunter

Hello again,

I thank you for the suggestion, but that is not the solution...

All the best,

Reply to
Kenneth

Hi again,

My message was unintentionally cryptic...

I had removed the filter and reassembled the cartridge only to find the same starting problem.

Thanks again,

Reply to
Kenneth

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