OldBulldogger
Bronze Member
I need some help.
I recently purchased a 1989 Ford 1720 with 3350 hours on it. I have used it for several weeks with no issues - all sounds normal. When it was cold (below 40 degrees), the previous owner would occasionally use a very small shot of ether in the air intake to get it started. I had to do this also and it would always start right up. He had replaced the relay to the glowplugs but still had trouble starting it when cold.
This weekend, I picked up 3 new glowplugs and replaced them. Before replacing I blew high pressure air around plugs to blow dust/debris away from falling in empty chamber. When I pulled the old ones out, I noticed that the center one seemed to have quite a bit of soot like black powder on it. The two outside ones seemed about the same and pretty clean compared to the center one. After replacing the glowplugs, I cycled the relay with the key until the indicator light went off showing the engine was ready and then started the engine. It was about 25 degrees out.
I had accidently had the throttle pushed forward to a near wide open position when it started. It instantly fired right up without needing any ether. I saw/heard that it was revved and I immediately (within seconds of starting) moved the throttle back to about 1000 rpms. I let it idle for while I went about cleaning up my tools to let it warm up. Everything sounded normal and it ran smooth. About 5 to 8 minutes after starting and idling, it all of a sudden starts making a loud knocking/clacking noise that it has never done. I did not notice any blue smoke but the knock continued. I shut it off checked the oil, everything is fine and to the level. I again started it and it knocks continuesly - no smoke. If I rev it up, the knock continues only faster. Hydraulics all work fine both the FEL and three point.
Let it sit overnight and started it again this morning while it was cold out- 25 degrees. It started great - again not needing ether so new glowplugs must be working fine now but again, it continues to have this loud knock coming from the engine. Engine does not run rough, seems to fire in rythm just a loud knock. I only let it run for a coulple minutes and then shut it down for fear of damaging anything further.
I am at a loss for why the sudden noise. Could I have knocked some carbon buildup inside the combustion chambers loose when I pulled the glowpugs? They appeared to be orignal - 22 years old with blue paint from factory. Even if I knocked some carbon buildup loose changing the glow plugs, could this cause this kind of knocking noise in the engine?
I really need some sound advice here before proceeding. I don't have a lot of tools to tear into the engine or check certain clearances etc. It will probably end up in the shop and I want to minimize my cost.
Please share your thoughts if you have any ideas! I would really appreciate it!!
I recently purchased a 1989 Ford 1720 with 3350 hours on it. I have used it for several weeks with no issues - all sounds normal. When it was cold (below 40 degrees), the previous owner would occasionally use a very small shot of ether in the air intake to get it started. I had to do this also and it would always start right up. He had replaced the relay to the glowplugs but still had trouble starting it when cold.
This weekend, I picked up 3 new glowplugs and replaced them. Before replacing I blew high pressure air around plugs to blow dust/debris away from falling in empty chamber. When I pulled the old ones out, I noticed that the center one seemed to have quite a bit of soot like black powder on it. The two outside ones seemed about the same and pretty clean compared to the center one. After replacing the glowplugs, I cycled the relay with the key until the indicator light went off showing the engine was ready and then started the engine. It was about 25 degrees out.
I had accidently had the throttle pushed forward to a near wide open position when it started. It instantly fired right up without needing any ether. I saw/heard that it was revved and I immediately (within seconds of starting) moved the throttle back to about 1000 rpms. I let it idle for while I went about cleaning up my tools to let it warm up. Everything sounded normal and it ran smooth. About 5 to 8 minutes after starting and idling, it all of a sudden starts making a loud knocking/clacking noise that it has never done. I did not notice any blue smoke but the knock continued. I shut it off checked the oil, everything is fine and to the level. I again started it and it knocks continuesly - no smoke. If I rev it up, the knock continues only faster. Hydraulics all work fine both the FEL and three point.
Let it sit overnight and started it again this morning while it was cold out- 25 degrees. It started great - again not needing ether so new glowplugs must be working fine now but again, it continues to have this loud knock coming from the engine. Engine does not run rough, seems to fire in rythm just a loud knock. I only let it run for a coulple minutes and then shut it down for fear of damaging anything further.
I am at a loss for why the sudden noise. Could I have knocked some carbon buildup inside the combustion chambers loose when I pulled the glowpugs? They appeared to be orignal - 22 years old with blue paint from factory. Even if I knocked some carbon buildup loose changing the glow plugs, could this cause this kind of knocking noise in the engine?
I really need some sound advice here before proceeding. I don't have a lot of tools to tear into the engine or check certain clearances etc. It will probably end up in the shop and I want to minimize my cost.
Please share your thoughts if you have any ideas! I would really appreciate it!!