New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions

   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #1  

RVbeemer

New member
Joined
Dec 16, 2019
Messages
17
Location
Brownwood, Texas
Tractor
Mahindra 1538 Ferguson TO-30
This is my first post since joining although I have been here before. I have now had my 2016? 1538 Shuttle for 2 weeks. It had 213 hrs. on when I bought it. It now has 220 hrs. Very happy with it but.... I did not get an owners manual with it so I have some questions. Yesterday I noticed the temp gauge is not registering. Actually, I didn't realize it had one! Wondering if the tractor is not getting hot enough or gauge is malfunctioning. Also, the fumes coming off the tractor are real bad, like when I get off and work in front of tractor or park it in the shed, the fumes seem excessively strong. Could this be an emissions issue?
What is the explosion looking icon on the gauge cluster when I turn on the key? Does my FEL have a float setting? I have an owners manual ordered, been 10 days, but from what I've read on the forums, I'm not expecting much from it. Thanks in advance for any answers.
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #2  
Yes it has float- push forward into the detent

The temp probably won’t come up this time of year- depends on your location. I block my grill (not radiator) in the fall so it will get to temp.

If it’s not getting to temp it will run rich and smell. Fix the temp and the exhaust will clean up- I don’t think you have any other emissions issue. Not getting it to temp is hard on the cat.

The intake manifold heater light comes on when you turn the key to the in position and stays on for 30” or so. I don’t know what the dash light you are referring to is....but the heater is my guess. Post a pic.
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions
  • Thread Starter
#3  
RNeumann, Thanks for the response. I did find the float detent.
The temps here in Texas are in the high 50's - low-mid 60's during the day. Would this be warm enough for the gauge to register after working the tractor around 4 hrs.? I keep the throttle around 1k rpm and use the foot throttle for moving up to around 1500 rpm.
You are right about the smell, it smells rich.
The light on the dash is an exclamation point with what looks like wind blowing across it. Something about regeneration?
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #4  
Yah that sounds like regen. That engine doesn’t like those low RPMs.....most emissions tractor engines don’t like low RPMs. The PTO RPMs on that thing are something like 2100 and 2300 RPM- it’s sweet spot! I’d try running at 1400+/- and add throttle beyond that. I have the HST and run it at 1700-1800 (no foot throttle) when I’m doing light tasks like snow plowing or just driving around and 2100ish when I’m doing heavier tasks like moving dirt etc. To date I haven’t had it regen or need to regen.


If it’s in the 50-60°f temps of Texas I’d say it should register temps depending on the tasks. Try upping the RPMs and see if it comes up. If not, try blocking the grill.
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #5  
The thermostat should be bringing the engine to temperature especially with 50-60F ambient temps.
Check or replace the temperature sender, that gauge and oil pressure are your engines vitals.
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Alright! I will try upping the rpms and see if that does it. If that doesn't work, anyone know approximate location of temp sender? Thanks!
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #7  
I can look for the sender in a few days. It’s sounding pretty normal to me....my gauge doesn’t come up too quick and not at all when things cool off. Blocking the grill is straight out of the manual....known thing with this engine
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #8  
I have the 1533 model and my sensor did not register when in use! The dealer had to do a reflash on the tractor and it has registered ever since they did it!
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #9  
I have the 1533 model and my sensor did not register when in use! The dealer had to do a reflash on the tractor and it has registered ever since they did it!

Forgot all about that! If it’s an older “2016” or the dealer didn’t do the flash before they sold it that is a definite possibility.
 
   / New (to me) 1538 Shuttle Questions #10  
I believe your tractor is a MCrD Tier 4 emmisions engine. You need to run it at higher RPM. A 'warm up' RPM of 13-1400, then crank her up to 2K or so an run it there. Since you have been working it at 1K RPM, your ECR is probably sooted up and needs to be cleaned. Then you will be good to go. Once it is warmed up, you can idle her at 1K, but she needs more RPM when working her. On my 2555, the EGR cleaning process is to unplug the electrical connector, remove the two bolts, remove the EGR being carefull with the reusable gasket. Then clean the exposed soot off with brake cleaner, blowing it dry at the end. Replace the EGR and you are good to go. I had a dealer mech clean mine once, when I abused my motor like you have. Never had a problem since. I believe the flashing of the CPU gives a little more voltage to the EGR to help it move. Once it binds up from the soot, you get the smells and poor engine running. Surprised you do not have a ' Check Engine ' light on.
 
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