Kubota RW25 backhoe loader problem

[Whitlock 505]

Ok here goes! I’ve been looking at a Kubota RW25 machine that will not start for a mate, I stripped off the starter motor which was dead and got it working so it will turn over the engine, on inspection the brushes and armature that the brushes contact? Were in poor condition but it did turn the engine over some shape but it did not turn over fast and even whipped 24v through it in desperation.
Returned to the engine and dismantled injector pump, injectors thinking that it wasn’t getting diesel but it was pumping.
Today I returned and stripped the head off and removed the valves and tried to bed them in with grinding paste, some were pitted but not sure if that would lead to poor starting?
Poured a cupful of oil in the pistons to see if it was leaking passed but nothing evident.
Still would not start but the engine sounds really slow turning over and my question is could this be why the engine is not starting? Mind it won’t even fire with the dreaded jungle juice (easy start)

[essexpete]

Odd that it won't attempt to fire with ether. Where were you spraying the ether?

[Whitlock 505]

Odd that it won't attempt to fire with ether. Where were you spraying the ether?

Taken the air intake pipes off and spraying it direct into the head, it’s really slow turning over on12v though

[gecko.cx]

Can you beg/borrow/steal another starter to try as cranking speed makes a vast difference to starting.

[essexpete]

Has the rocker cover been off?

[agrimax]

You need plenty of cranking speed and the glow plugs must be working... Working glow plugs and good valves are vital in these engines.

[essexpete]

You need plenty of cranking speed and the glow plugs must be working... Working glow plugs and good valves are vital in these engines.

What do you reckon on no fire with ether?

[agrimax]

Probably not enough cranking speed and poor compression.If the valves are pitted,they need replaced and the seats can't be good either.These indirect injection Jap engines very often don't respond well to ether. It's better kept away from them. They must have decent compression, fast cranking speed and all working glow plugs.

[Whitlock 505]

Thanks for all your replies
I’ve ordered a new starter as that was my next stab in the dark that she wasn’t throwing over quick enough to aid compression, the glowpiugs are working as i leant on them and burnt my hand!
I’ll keep you updated of progress
Ian

[Whitlock 505]

This was the state of the commutator