2002 TC40 starting issues

[billyTC40]

I recently purchased a 2002 TC40 with less than 500 hrs on it. The lady I purchased it from was using carb cleaner or putting a small amount of gasoline on a rag and holding to the intake to help the tractor start. The price was right so I took the chance and purchased it.

She told me the tractor was running great but it sat for about 5 years after her husband passed away and when she decided to sell the tractor she got a friend to come get it running again, his solution was the "help" to get it started..

When trying to start the tractor it will continuously turn over but not fire off. As soon as I put alittle gas on a rag and hold it close to the intake the engine will fire and will run great. After it is started it will run perfect, I am trying to limit the amount of times I start it this way to avoid damage to the engine. I have used the tractor most of the day and when I shut it off and immediately try to re-start it still will not start with-out "help".

Since I have owned it I have pulled the fuel tank, dumped all fuel and cleaned tank, then replaced with fresh diesel. All fuel lines have been replaced, along with fuel filter. I have checked the fuel cut off solenoid and it seems to be working correctly. I pulled the fuel pump, injector pump, and all injectors to clean them. pulled the glow plugs and tested each one, all are good. I put a compression tester on each cylinder, unfortunately my compression gauge only goes to 300 psi, but each cylinder maxed out my gauge.

I am lost, I have searched and read through many threads trying to find a solution. I decided to try and get some help from this forum before I start throwing parts at it. Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

 

[Agvg]

Bad starter? To slow?

 

[thepumpguysc]

Its possible its turning to slow, but that can be "heard" & remedied by using a jump box or another vehicle to help.
Just how did you clean the pump & injectors?? did you pull the pump apart & look at the pumping plungers for wear??
Did you pop test the injectors for leakage, spray pattern & opening pressure??
Do the glow plugs have a "timer" or is it a manual push button type.. are you holding them on long enough??
The closer you get to 300 psi on the gauge, the harder its going to be to start.. 300 is about minimum for a diesel engine..
You may wanna see if your parts store has a tool rental program, to find out what the compression REALLY IS..
Cuz if your working w/ 300.. then you know its time to stop looking for problems.. BUT if you cranking out 350-400?? sure keep going..
Do you have ant way of T'ing in a small pressure gauge to the inlet on the inj. pump?? Just to make sure your getting the proper fuel pressure UP TO the pump..
PULL the sol. out & try to start it.. the sol. are a very weak link in the cranking system.. you just might be surprised on how it starts.
Good luck & post back w/ your findings..

 

[billyTC40]

I have used a jump box and believe the starter is turning the engine over fast enough.

I used carb cleaner and compressed air to clean the parts, but did not take the pump apart. I will try that next. I made sure all parts were dry before reinstalling them.

I don't believe it's the glow plugs. They are on a timer and I have also used the tractor for a few hours and it still would not start on it's own while the motor was hot.

I did not pop that the injectors, I will search for instructions on how to perform this test. All I did was visual inspection to make sure there was not any dirt/ gunk on the injectors.

I will try to get a pressure gauge to figure out the actual compression of each cylinder and also try to figure out what the fuel pressure is up to the injector pump. Where would I be able to find what that pressure should be?

I will also try to start with the solenoid taken out next chance I get. That's for the suggestions. I will post back with any findings

 

[thepumpguysc]

Thanks for getting back w/ us..
I DONT recommend taking the pump apart.. Things can go bad QUICK..
..the pump has to be taken apart in a specific sequence & reassembled the same.
& theres a few of VERY SMALL parts that can be dropped & overlooked, if you don't know they're there.
The injectors have to be tested on a "pop tester"..
Some folks opt to build one.. but the time & money it takes to TRY to build one, is a waste.