CK2610 cold start… ALOT of smoke?

[S854]

I did my first, true Cold start on my CK yesterday… 17 degrees, after an overnight low of 8…

I didn’t have the block heater plugged in… but that’s another story…

Turned the key… waited for the glow plugs to do their thing, then cranked the engine… it started without excessive cranking but died in a second or two… repeated the glow plug/crank and it started again and kept running this time…

There was what I consider excessive exhaust smoke for maybe thirty seconds or so… so much smoke that I had to leave the area… kinda like the most dense fog you’ve ever seen… after a 10 minute warm up, I drove the tractor without any odd engine behavio…

Previous warm weather starts we’re pretty uneventful… a bit of smoke, a bit of clattering followed by smooth, clean running…

I only have 11 hours on The tractor… and one of the major reasons for choosing this model was the mechanical injection…

I can live with the cold start-up smoke, if it’s “normal”

One thing I did do was to add an additional dose of DieselKleen to the winter-blend, red dyed fuel before operating…

 

[K5lwq]

That sounds about normal in cold weather. Block heater would help but you could cycle the glow plugs several times on colder mornings. Just turn switch back off and on again allowing the plugs to heat each time. 3 times before starting will help.

 

[RjCorazza]

That's normal for a cold start diesel. It should clear up pretty quickly, like maybe 30-60 seconds.
Your block heater would go a long way in eliminating the smoke, clatter, and multiple glow plug cycles. Everything is just easier starting a pre warmed engine.
By "another story" I assume your block heater isn't working?

I pre warm my tractor at temps of 32 degrees f and lower. Overkill for me, but 8 degrees f is pretty dang cold!

 

[RjCorazza]

I should add that the diesel kleen additive you mention is not related to any smoking issues. PS Diesel Kleen is NOT an anti gel winter additive, most folks (myself included) use it in the warm months and add PS Diesel Fuel Supplement (white bottle) for winter use.
I do not rely on winterized fuel from the pump, and always treat winter fuel with an anti gel additive.

 

[S854]

By "another story" I assume your block heater isn't working?

on another, RV related web board I have a thread regarding a 50a to 20@ pigtail… I want to plug my block heater into my RV 50a plug… if you’re really bored: RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Tech Issues: DIY 50 amp to 20 amp pigtail

I should add that the diesel kleen additive you mention is not related to any smoking issues. PS Diesel Kleen is NOT an anti gel winter additive, most folks (myself included) use it in the warm months and add PS Diesel Fuel Supplement (white bottle) for winter use.
I do not rely on winterized fuel from the pump, and always treat winter fuel with an anti gel additive.

Yes… I used the “white bottle”… could’ve swore it said “DieselKleen” on the label… I may be wrong, wouldn’t be the first time… I KNOW it said “anti-gel” …

 

[ruffdog]

Turned the key… waited for the glow plugs to do their thing, then cranked the engine… it started without excessive cranking but died in a second or two… repeated the glow plug/crank and it started again and kept running this time…


One thing I did do was to add an additional dose of DieselKleen to the winter-blend, red dyed fuel before operating…

How long is the glow plug cycle would you say? How many seconds?

Do you know at what ratio the "winter-blend" fuel is? 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50? Are they just blending the fuel or are they also treating it?

 

[S854]

I visit the same (busy) fuel station for both my diesel pickup and also the red diesel.. my pickup runs fine on their winter blend… although the pickup sleeps in a heated garage and has a “winter front end” over the grill during the cold months…

My Massey 135 has been running on the winter blend, red dye fuel for 5 years now… no issues… the Massey doesn’t have a cold start system (glow plugs, intake air heater, etc) and requires a brief shot of ether to wake up when temps drop below zero… don’t bash me here… there’s actually a factory sticker under the hood recommending starting fluid for cold starts…

Anyway, the Massey actually started without starting fluid and with less drama (and smoke) than the Kioti… kinda surprised me…

P.S. I have no intentions of EVER using ether on the Kioti… in case you were wonderin…

 

[LouNY]

Untill it gets sub zero "winter" grade fuel is just treated with additives it is not a blended fuel.
Blended being a blend of #1 and #2 fuel, kerosene and #2 diesel.

 

[ruffdog]

Untill it gets sub zero "winter" grade fuel is just treated with additives it is not a blended fuel.
Blended being a blend of #1 and #2 fuel, kerosene and #2 diesel.

That is what I was thinking too but in Montana...who knows. I sure would like one station near me that did sell 60/40 early on so I could fill my machine and be set for the whole winter.

 

[Oaktree]

That is what I was thinking too but in Montana...who knows. I sure would like one station near me that did sell 60/40 early on so I could fill my machine and be set for the whole winter.

Most, if not all the places near me that sell off-road diesel are Jiffymart-type convenience store/gas stations. I doubt any of the employees would have a clue what I'm talking about if I asked if it was winter blend or not, or even when the last delivery was. I always keep 3 5gal jugs of fuel on hand and just use the oldest each time...very likely it's 6 mo. old by the time I use it. Always use the white bottle PS regardless of season.

As for the OP's question, my LK3054 is pretty cold-blooded too. Takes multiple glowplug cycles, and a lotta smoke for the first :30 or so in cold weather. No block heater, though in the winter I'll put a droplight with a 100W bulb under the hood to warm it at least a little. A few years ago I bought one of those magnetic heaters that you put on the oil pan...never thought to check if it was a steel pan...it wasn't. Oops!

 

[S854]

There is a seasonal label on the pumps I visit in Montana… I’ll paraphrase: “Fuel is guaranteed to -5 degrees“… something lIke that… the label usually shows up in October

You’re correct… it’s “treated” not “blended”… although blended is available at a different pump…

 

[Username Taken]

There is a seasonal label on the pumps I visit in Montana… I’ll paraphrase: “Fuel is guaranteed to -5 degrees“… something lIke that… the label usually shows up in October

You’re correct… it’s “treated” not “blended”… although blended is available at a different pump…

Can't you just pour some kerosene in it?? Along with some lubricating additives, of course. For the fuel pump.

 

[LouNY]

Can't you just pour some kerosene in it?? Along with some lubricating additives, of course. For the fuel pump.

Yes, 50-50 should get you good till around -20F of course around here now kerosene is over $7 a gallon.
Lucas or Power Serve in the white bottle are actually more cost effective. Lucas calls for the single dose to be good to -10F and
a double dose isn't really specified but it refers to -40, I would kind of doubt that.
Power Serve single dose is supposed to be good to 0F, with the double dose for -0 but with no referenced low temp.

Personally I have been using the Power Serve in the white bottle at the double dose and when its calling for -10 or colder I start adding K1.
I am tempted to try the Lucas as it cost less for supposedly a bit better protection.
But I have had the misfortune to ungell a system in the -20's and it is not fun.

 

[S854]

I snapped this pic from the station I routinely visit… I also use a double-dose of PS in my 33 gallon “fuel station” tank… I don’t have a cab on either of my tractors… when it gets to 20 below I watch the snow from in front of the fireplace…BTW… year before last we hit -33… fun stuff…

 

[BleedingOrange]

Are you 100 % sure your glow plugs are actually getting power ? Very easy to hook a test light up to them to check. Could be as simple as a blown fuse.

 

[S854]

I’m going strictly by the glow plug idiot light on the dash… when the ambient temp is warm, the glow plugs cycle rather quickly (3-5 seconds)… during this cold snap they have stayed on considerably longer (8-10 seconds)…

I have no idea what electronic sensor may be in the system to activate the plugs duration…longer or shorter, depending on temp… or if there is a sensor at all… it may all be in my head… 5 seconds in 8 degrees may just be measured in dog years…

 

[Farmer495]

White smoke like that perfect normal. It will be worse if your cold start assist isn't working good, i.e. glow plugs. If it started it's likely fine.

I had powerstroke with 2/8 working glow plugs and it would blow white smoke heavy until it touched off. Good batteries and starter Got the glow plugs fixed after being in parking lot all day at -10C and spending 10 minutes cycling glow plugs and cranking on and off before it went.

-5C today when I started the orange one, auto glow plugs kicked on for 3-4 seconds and it fired instantly when I cranked it, some white smock that cleared fairly quick.

 

[sd455dan]

S854
If you really want to verify Glow plug operation and can access the main power feed wire to the glow plugs and have or can borrow a Clamp style VOM With inductive DC current reading capability, it will give a more definitive current draw reading.
Glow plugs wired in parallel can have 1 or more fail but still show some current draw as well as the rail voltage.

At 17 degrees and no block heater It would surprise me if you did not have some smoke.
Being a new tractor doubt there is a problem it was just a Cold morning start without using a block heater.

Hope that makes sense

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

What RPM are you setting the throttle at when you start it?
My throttle usual set in the 1,400 rpm range or a little lower. range for cold starts.


Do you hit start as soon as glow plug light goes off?
I like to leave my combustion heater on for 30 to 60 seconds before I hit start to make sure combusiton area gets enough to warm up nicely.


do a lot of tractor work often when -20 or more so these tricks work best for my L series tractors

 

[S854]

My Kioti idles at 1,000 RPM… that’s where I start it and let It warm…

My MF135 idles a bit lower, I usually set the throttle to 1,000 just before I shut it down, so, on start up it too goes to 1,000…

I did turn the key as soon as the glow plug lamp went off… I try Giving it a few more seconds next time…

My 1980’s era, Radio Shack multi-meter is on it’s last legs… maybe I’ll jump headlong into the twentieth century (!) and purchase an induction style unit… I’ve seen them used and they seem handy enough…