Kubota- Power Tech Generator Oil Pressure

[White Hat Guy]

Morning y'all:

My Kubota-Power Tech genny has been used less than a couple of hours in the last year. In fact it has been used less than 200 hours since new. I just recently noticed the oil pressure when up to speed stays between 20-25 psi. The BB manual Section 6-18 states oil pressure gauge should normally read between 30-60 psi. Had it serviced at BB in September 08 and received a clean "bill of health".

Is this an acceptable pressure level?

Thanks everyone.

[Bill Pape]

Sounds low to me,
First check the oil level, then change it to the Mfg. recommended oil weight. possibly the wrong oil was used in the past oil change.

[White Hat Guy]

Thanks, Bill:

I'm not sure what wt. oil BB used, I'll find out. I did check the oil and coolant level before I started her up and the levels were correct. One thing I forgot to put in my post, was the genney was not under any load. I just cranked it up and let it run for about 30 minutes. I'll try this afternoon with it under a load.

[yesmar]

My 94 Blue Bird also showed low oil pressure such as you described. It also showed low operating temperature. I checked with another 94 owner and his guages did not work. His answer was that the engine has built in cut off switches, so why worry.

I chose to live with the low readings (since I use it about 300 hrs per year and I had used it a year before reading the manual). I would not live with no working guages. In the 5 years I owned it, the only problem I had with the generator was a bad voltage regulator.

I have another friend that has a 93 BB and he uses his generator 300-400 hours per year and he serviced his generator every 2 or 3 years. I know, because his gen set would not run at one of the football games. I looked at it and could not believe he had not done anything to that generator in 3 years. I loaned him an air filter and it purred like a kitten. The point is that they are a great generator that is tough as nails.

I used straight 40 oil in the 8v92 and straight 30 in the generator. I also run my generator 1/2 to 1 hour per month under load. Even in the winter, I turn my AC's on to create load (but I live in Florida). With a clean Air filter, I burn about a gallon per hour under load.

91 to 94 coaches were some of the best Blue Birds Built.

Richard

[White Hat Guy]

Thanks, Richard

Kubota seems to be an almost "bullet proof" engine. I had a Kubota tractor several years ago with a little 17 hp 2 cylinder diesel engine. Except for oil and filters once a year, I put over 1500 hours on that little machine and it never had a wrench put to it in the 10 years I owned it.

[Randy Dupree]

put a gauge on the engine,and check it there.
most electric gauges are not accurate.

[BCRoamer]

While you certainly should follow the operating manuals specs, Kobota's are "nearly bullet proof".

I have a friend who owns a equipment rental business and he will not purchase anything that doesn't have Kubota power. He tells me it's the only engine that renters cannot wreck.

[White Hat Guy]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

put a gauge on the engine,and check it there.
most electric gauges are not accurate.

Randy:

Could you suggest such a gauge and where I could get one.

Thanks,

[Bill Pape]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

put a gauge on the engine,and check it there.
most electric gauges are not accurate.

Tommy, A mechanical oil pressure gage can be purchased from NAPA or any other auto parts stores. remove the existing oil pressure sensor , ( which are prone to erratic and improper readings). Then install the gage. On my three cylinder Kubota it looks like the picture John Finn posted.
http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/50053227

If you have the same sensor on the engine as we do on the 3208, it can be removed easily and substituted for testing.
The sensor is a high probability for your low reading, a lessor probably is the gage on the dash.

[fxdwg]

Tommy,
Any good parts house should be able to set you up with a "T" fitting that would screw inwhere the current oil sensor is, allowing the current sensor to be screwed into the fitting as well as a mechanical gauge. That way you'd have both still useable.