wont start

[Atlfinfan]

Probably an easy fix, but I am not mechanically inclined.
This started late summer so it's not a COLD weather problem, I wouldn't think. I am having problems starting the tractor. It turns over but will not start, unless I put rpm lever about half way up and turn key at least 3 times to let glow plug cycle. As soon as the glow plug light goes out, I turn off key and turn it right back on 3 times. I can hear the fuel gurgling, if that helps. The other thing I have to do, most of the time, is squirt a short shot of starter fluid in air filter housing. I was told that wasn't a great thing to do, so spray as little as possible. Once it does start, it will crank as it should, the rest of the day, even after a couple of hours off. My local dealer has just closed up and the nearest one is probably 50 miles away.
Help is very much appreciated. It has been serviced as per warranty. A little more than 400 hours on tractor. Used very lightly except for garden tilling once a year.

 

[RNeumann]

Cold start issues are typically in two categories- electric intake manifold heater (I don’t think that model has glow plugs). Or for some reason the fuel is draining pressure out of the filter and lines between the tank and fuel pump. If it can sit for several hours when it’s warm out and restart fine I’d be leaning intake manifold heater. If you have a IR temp gun it’s an easy check. Otherwise you should be able to feel the manifold change temps with you hand. Or on a cold morning heat up the intake manifold with a heat gun or blankets and an electric heater.

The fuel draining pressure is unlikely. You would see the fuel and would likely notice a lack of power. But hearing fuel gurgling is an interesting observation.......I’d make sure the filters are good, the fuel lines and fittings aren’t leaking, you have normal power and that the fuel pump is kicking on when the ignition is in the on position. A check for this would be to cycle the ignition switch on and off 3 times when cold (like you have been doing) but don’t wait for the glow plug light to go off....on/off quickly. Then see if it starts after the 3rd try. If it does it’s losing pressure and or getting some air in the fuel system when it sits for a while.

 

[Sergei]

Biil' Tractor lists a glow plug relay on their web page, so I'd say you have glow plugs. I'd agree you may have a fuel issue. Now as far as the glow plugs they are used to preheat the air in the pre-combustion chamber when its cold. Since your problem started last year when it was warm you might rule them out. But since they list a relay there my be a high failure of them and might cause your starting problem, need a wiring diagram to know for sure.
If the relay is not the problem or in the circuit then I'd start looking at your fuel filter, fuel pump or injector pump and finally the injection nozzles, maybe the nozzles are dirty The injection nozzle has two purposes, injection and atomization..
Remember unlike a gaoline engine which utilizes a spark the diesel relys solely upon intense heat of compression., so you need air and compresion to run.

 

[Atlfinfan]

I appreciate the replies.

 

[RNeumann]

Btw- they make starting fluid that is safe for diesels

 

[Atlfinfan]

Btw- they make starting fluid that is safe for diesels

I did not know that. Thanks

 

[LouNY]

I would be leary of any starting fluid doesn't matter if it's compatible with diesels or not.
With a location in Ga. I am surprised that you have a temperature related starting issue.
Hard starting from a diesel can be from a number of issues.
Fuel quality, fuel injection timing, the actual fuel injectors and then the multitude of other issues.
Low compression, slow cranking speed, I have seen hard starting engines turned around by new starters especially
when they were upgraded to a gear reduction type, could be as simple as cleaning up battery connections and maybe new brushes in the starter.

 

[RNeumann]

I did not know that. Thanks

Here is a cheesy article about a few-

3 Best Starting Fluid for Diesel Engines (2) - The Drive

 

[Atlfinfan]

I would be leary of any starting fluid doesn't matter if it's compatible with diesels or not.
With a location in Ga. I am surprised that you have a temperature related starting issue.
Hard starting from a diesel can be from a number of issues.
Fuel quality, fuel injection timing, the actual fuel injectors and then the multitude of other issues.
Low compression, slow cranking speed, I have seen hard starting engines turned around by new starters especially
when they were upgraded to a gear reduction type, could be as simple as cleaning up battery connections and maybe new brushes in the starter.

I don't personally think it's a temp. problem since it started getting harder to start when the weather was warm, but I DO KNOW...... I don't know much. I just tried to include everything in my OP.

Lately, the battery doesn't stay charged so I am going to start there, as you suggested.....cleaning battery terminals, though they LOOK fine to me. Then, if nothing improves, I'll probably get a new battery. The original one is 4 years old, so I thought it would not be the problem.

I guessing most of the guys that posted suggestions DON'T REALIZE HOW MECHANICALLY DUMB I AM. It's hard for me to admit......:embarrassed:

 

[RNeumann]

4 years on the factory battery is about all they go on average. A good auto parts store can test it with a Midtronics tester.

 

[Sergei]

4 years on the factory battery is about all they go on average. A good auto parts store can test it with a Midtronics tester.

I've installed the Schumacher SE-1-12S on my Mahindra, garden tractor, truck and even the house generator plus each with a timer. This really seem to help extending the life of them.

 

[Sergei]

I've installed the Schumacher SE-1-12S on my Mahindra, garden tractor, truck and even the house generator plus each with a timer. This really seem to help extending the life of them.

Since battery charge and its conditions has been mentioned, does the cranking speed change when your trying to start it? Starts high and drags lower? You need a good cranking speed to generate heat within the cylinders.

 

[Atlfinfan]

Since battery charge and its conditions has been mentioned, does the cranking speed change when your trying to start it? Starts high and drags lower? You need a good cranking speed to generate heat within the cylinders.

Yes sir.

 

[fried1765]

I don't personally think it's a temp. problem since it started getting harder to start when the weather was warm, but I DO KNOW...... I don't know much. I just tried to include everything in my OP.

Lately, the battery doesn't stay charged so I am going to start there, as you suggested.....cleaning battery terminals, though they LOOK fine to me. Then, if nothing improves, I'll probably get a new battery. The original one is 4 years old, so I thought it would not be the problem.

I guessing most of the guys that posted suggestions DON'T REALIZE HOW MECHANICALLY DUMB I AM. It's hard for me to admit......:embarrassed:

"Lately the battery doesn't stay charged"

It is highly likely that a 4 year old battery used for "garden tilling once a year" is badly internally sulfated from just sitting, and thus is not providing proper voltage for required cranking speed.
You should buy a new battery, clean all connections thoroughly, including the battery ground cable bolt mounting surface on your tractor.
A Walmart Everstart Maxx is the best battery bang for the buck.
Write down the battery physical dimensions (and group # if it is shown on the battery), and take that info with you to Walmart.

When you get the starting problem sorted out, buy a "Battery Minder" (brand) trickle charger/desulfator, and keep it connected to your battery, and plugged in to 110v, whenever your tractor is not in use.
A "Battery Minder" (brand) is inexpensive, and has a built in desulfating function.
"Battery Minder" model 12117 is $24.99 on Amazon.

 

[Atlfinfan]

I guess I wasn't clear, my fault.......I use the tractor 5 times a week on average, but its for very light stuff, like moving a trailer a few hundred feet, but only put a load on it when doing things like tilling the garden, moving round bales of hay, etc. . I am headed to WM in a bit. Hoping to get everything changed out today......in the rain.....or breaks in the rain.

I will post the results of the new battery when I get done. All help is very much appreciated.

 

[fried1765]

I guess I wasn't clear, my fault.......I use the tractor 5 times a week on average, but its for very light stuff, like moving a trailer a few hundred feet, but only put a load on it when doing things like tilling the garden, moving round bales of hay, etc. . I am headed to WM in a bit. Hoping to get everything changed out today......in the rain.....or breaks in the rain.

I will post the results of the new battery when I get done. All help is very much appreciated.

4 years of lots of stops and starts ("moving a trailer a few hundred feet") with no time for the alternator to add a meaningful charge to the battery, is particularly hard on a battery.

 

[k0ua]

If you tractor has glow plugs and one or more of them are not functioning, this could cause hard to start problems. You can take a measurement for voltage on the glow plug buss to see if there is voltage (you will need an assistant to operate the key). And also a infrared temp gun would be handy to pinpoint a cold glow plug or plugs. These simple temp guns are less than $20 at Amazon and are useful for many things. I used mine just a couple of days ago to verify a cable modem in my house that was overheating. It was 168 degrees in one corner of the unit. Some sort of power supply failure. We have a lot of electronic equipment in the room, and it was helpful to track it down to this device.

Amazon.com: Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~ 716℉ (-5℃ ~ 38℃), Yellow and Black: Kitchen & Dining

 

[Atlfinfan]

Update, in case anyone is curious.
I replaced the battery and one of the cable ends/ connectors. It cranked right up...................the first time and the rest of the day.
Didn't crank it for a couple of days because of more rain, then tried, and it would just spin, no SOUNDS of it cranking, or firing. I used a very small squirt of starting fluid and it cranked right up. Yesterday was in the 40's and low 50's and I gave it a try again. It started out just spinning again until I put the throttle lever up to about half way.......turned the glow plugs on 3 or 4 times and it started up after just a couple of, what i would call, rotations, then it would crank easily again. So, to me, the only progress is not having to charge the battery anymore. Which I'll take for starters......
In my unejumacated opinion.........it doesn't seem to be getting fuel...hence the spinning but not firing. How off base am I?

and thanks for all the suggestions and help and......

 

[LouNY]

When you say spinning is the engine turning over?
or the starter is spinning but not turning the engine over?

 

[fried1765]

Update, in case anyone is curious.
I replaced the battery and one of the cable ends/ connectors. It cranked right up...................the first time and the rest of the day.
Didn't crank it for a couple of days because of more rain, then tried, and it would just spin, no SOUNDS of it cranking, or firing. I used a very small squirt of starting fluid and it cranked right up. Yesterday was in the 40's and low 50's and I gave it a try again. It started out just spinning again until I put the throttle lever up to about half way.......turned the glow plugs on 3 or 4 times and it started up after just a couple of, what i would call, rotations, then it would crank easily again. So, to me, the only progress is not having to charge the battery anymore. Which I'll take for starters......
In my unejumacated opinion.........it doesn't seem to be getting fuel...hence the spinning but not firing. How off base am I?

and thanks for all the suggestions and help and......

Replaced.... "one of the cable ends/connectors"

Did you take the ground CABLE END OFF the tractor, and THOROUGHLY clean the cable end, AND clean the cable mounting surface on the tractor, before putting all back together?