CK20S Cold Weather Start Procedure

[RADIUM]

I've been following this post, curious is your fuel winterize? In upstate New York area average winter days 18ｰF and down to -5 at night my tractor starts right up sitting outside with two hits of the glow plug of courses different manufacturers but any modern diesel tractor should start quite easily. Try some power service in your fuel the white bottle I'm sure you will find that tractor will start right up with the fuel additive helps boost fuel's effectiveness in the winter not to mention it adds lubrication for your injector pump. One other quick thing your battery should have a minimum of 800 cold cranking amps for quick starts in cold weather, and also using synthetic oil helps the engine turn just some things to try. I posted a video after a debate in the new Holland forms on cold starting procedures it's still listed under new videos check it out I'm going to do another one when it's -5ｰ to show how easy a modern fuel injected tractor starts when properly prepared for winter no block heaters or other support. Take care

 

[jlsanborn]

So this morning that little motor didn't really feel any warmer to the touch as it did with the 4 hour toast. It definately starts easier, but just barely after two whirls and still gags out a ton of smoke for about 15 seconds before it starts to smooth out. I was at Napa today picking up a work light for the rear and spotted the power service mentioned. I haven't been using anything as I was under the impression that this stuff was strictly for anti-gelling in super cold climates. I thought the business on the label made it sound worth a shot so I picked up a bottle. Funny to turn this thing on tonight and find you folks recommending the same thing! I was surprised at the dilution ratio. Only hauling 5 gallons at a whack makes a pretty tiny amount of additive and difficult to accurately dose. I've been trying to sneak a measuring cup out of the kitchen so I can measure 1.6 measly ounces but the cop has had her eye on me. I think she smells a fart. Where did I put that Ratio-Rite?! Anyway, I'll juice her up tonight and run it for a bit while its still warm and let you all know how the cold start program goes tomorrow. We're expecting -7F in the next day or two.

 

[Dmace]

Only hauling 5 gallons at a whack makes a pretty tiny amount of additive and difficult to accurately dose.

Don't be worried about putting a little too much as it only gets better to a point. You can double the dose safely according to the bottle. I use the small scale on the side of the bottle and dump about 2 oz into each 5 gallons of diesel. You'll notice the difference! It's not just an anti-gelling additive but also boost the cetane of the diesel fuel which makes cold starts faster and smoother.

 

[malk315]

I forgot to mention I'm a regular power service user.

After reading up on additives for anti-gel and such, I decided power service was the way to go. The local wal-mart carries it on the cheap and I got the bigger bottle of it.

I snuck a purex glass tiny measuring cup from the kitchen that has oz increments on the side. I put the maximum 3.2 oz per every 5 gallons.

So the video of startup that I did was with my standard dose of power service which I do year round. I've got about 230 hours and never have had any fuel issues. Starts are always fine. I also think now that she has 200 hours on it she's got more power than the first 100 or so. I'm thinking my engine is "dialed in" now and I'm itching to get a snow blower for the rear -- I've been eying the 60" MK-Martin meteor. Though I've seen the video of Derek's blower in action and that thing really moves snow.

My worst case start was last year during 200 hour service I picked up the machine from dealer in Swanzea, NH and it was bone chilling cold (single digit Fahrenheit) where machine was sitting outside. My normal start procedure worked like a charm there too.

I was reading earlier in this post something about revisions to the CK20S engine for emissions. I'm dumbfounded that the glow system and whatever else is involved to get the machine started would be sacrificed in performance for emissions -- especially since the glow is only used on start. If it's a little less emission efficient just on start is that really a big deal? i.e. the tractor spends most of it's time running, not starting -- the emissions should be efficient when I do 1 hours of mowing at 3000 RPMs or whatever -- not when I start it. Oh well.

 

[jlsanborn]

We were -10F last night, but I'm parked indoors - not heated, but insulated. I dosed 5 gallons with about 2oz the previous day and plowed the neighbors out so the PS was completely through the veins. As an experiment, I did not plug in the pan heater. I went out today about 10am with the temp being about +4F. Absolutely miserable. Right of the bat I cycled the glow plugs twice. I cranked for probably 15 seconds before it even snorted. Thereafter it must of took me 10 attempts to get it going and once I did it effin belched smoke, rattled and rumbled for 30 seconds until finally cleared up. It is going to remain cold, although not as cold. I'll put the heat back on and try it again tomorrow. I'd expect single digits. I'm wishing now that I had gotten the line heater instead of the magnetic!

 

[RADIUM]

That's really interesting I think you need to use a little more power service, I usually add some before I start filling the tank that way it mixes better I'm wondering if your fuel has been winterized from your distributor where you purchased it? One other thing even if the battery is new I would still get a larger battery I'm running 1000 cold cranking amps glass mat battery $200 Sears diehard platinum it sounds like a lot of money but when the major storms hits I don't want to be playing trying to get the tractor to start in 6ｰF. So my best advice is add a few more ounces of power service and get a larger battery it will turn the engine faster giving a better result for starting, also check your cable connections at the starter are they tight? Also don't be afraid to hit the glow plugs three or four times to warm up the chamber before starting, I sometimes hit mine three times which automatically cycles about 45 seconds, when I was a kid we used to use ether and still do on some of the old deer to get them running "However Do Not Use It on Your Tractor Modern Tractors Have High Compression It Would Destroy the Engine Do Not Use Ether I Was Merely Explaining How Tough It Was in the Past to Get Tractor Started on Cold Mornings in the new engines you'd end up cracking a piston Absolutely Do Not Use Ether" now that we have that out of the way and I don't have the form police attacked me for giving bad advice ;-) I just remembered something look at the fuel in the sediment bowl is it white and cloudy? That could be the wax falling out of the fuel plugging your fuel filter which would also cause a starting problem, and don't be afraid to give the tractor little throttle to just get it started and then bring it back down, check out this video About : Cold Starting a Tractor

 

[JoelD]

It should just not be this hard to start your tractor

My 2004 starts everytime in the cold

Single digits f and I turn on glowplugd got 45 seconds or so then crank and when she catches I turn plugs back on and she smooths out in about 5-10 seconds

 

[jlsanborn]

I doubled the dose of PS and put about 4 hours on. I parked it inside and stuck the 200W pan heater on. About 24 hours later at about +20F its still crappy! I opened the throttle a bit, cycled the plugs three times...........crank, crank, crank, crank, poof! Thereafter I cycled the plugs once per attempt and it ended up taking about 6 or 7 tries. Each one was close, but not enough to catch. I'm going to get that line heater as thats what the dealer recommended in the first place, but I'd sure like to just leave it burning while the weather is cold. Waiting 30+ minutes to pre-heat just isn't my style!
Thanks IA for the info in your IM. I'll be headed that route and will let you know how it all pans out. That photo would be awesome if its not too much trouble.

 

[RADIUM]

I hate to be a defeatist, you must have a mechanical problem there is no way you should have that kind of problem starting a tractor a line heater is not going to help that much. The only other thing I can think of you must have a bad batch of fuel heavy with water I've had it happen a few times it doesn't really fall out of the fuel it just cause a lot of starting issues and smokes like crazy I hope you solve your problem you really shouldn't have any issues with a new tractor , my 1963 row crop starts easier even without either take care

 

[jlsanborn]

I would have to agree that something just aint right. Kioti suggested the line heater to the dealer and offered to pony up for that. I will do what they asked and also try some fuel from an alternate source. I did look at the filter bowl and noticed nothing unusual - clear and clean. If I'm still struggling I will contact the dealer again. Thanks!