My CK30 was having trouble starting with the recent cold weather we had here in northeast PA. My troubleshooting steps were to verify power to the glow plugs. Power was getting there and the relay timed out as expected. Pulled all glow plugs and tested resistance of each. Two were bad. I also tested each plug by applying 12v to each one right on the battery post. Found this method on youtube and it eliminates the need for a meter. Simple and quick. Since the tractor is nearly 13 years old with 1465 hours on it, I replaced all three. Everything back to normal now. Starts right up and no more smoke. Plugs were 36.50 plus PA tax (each). Fortunate to pick them up at a dealer about 20 minutes away. Never had a heater of any kind and the tractor is stored in an unheated shed. I always let it idle a while even during warm weather. Been thinking of adding a block heater, but after all this time I'm not sure because it starts fine at zero degrees or a few below. Much colder and I'm inside by the woodstove anyway.
2005 CK30 hard starting
- Thread starter hokirenry
- Start date
- Views: 816
thepumpguysc
Elite Member
Its always baffled me how/why only a couple of GP's will go bad, when they all have the same power & length of time on them??
Other than quality control, of course.
I guess I could understand that an engine cyl. could be slobbering oil & coat the ends??
& its a story told over & over.. "2 of my 4 gp's were bad".. or "1 or my 3"..
I could better understand the problem IF they were ALL BAD.. wrong voltage plug.. over-riding "burn time".. ect.. BUT just 1 or 2??
Other than quality control, of course.
I guess I could understand that an engine cyl. could be slobbering oil & coat the ends??
& its a story told over & over.. "2 of my 4 gp's were bad".. or "1 or my 3"..
I could better understand the problem IF they were ALL BAD.. wrong voltage plug.. over-riding "burn time".. ect.. BUT just 1 or 2??
DK35vince
Super Member
I guess I'm the opposite.
I would wonder why all the glow plugs went bad a the same time.
Your a pump guy, why do fuel injectors do the same thing.
We had a tri axle truck at work losing power. 550 HP Cat.
It had 2 bad injectors. Why only 2 ? Why not all 6?
They all used the same fuel and had the same hours and mileage on them, but only 2 were bad.
ritcheyvs
Veteran Member
Excessive carbon deposits around the glow plug tip provide insulation and allow it to overheat. Failure to clean out a fouled glow plug hole will shorten the life of the replacement plug. There are special tools for this cleaning but bronze bore brushes from a gun-cleaning kit will do.
thepumpguysc
Elite Member
Vince, There are several diff. factors w/ injectors.. multiple moving parts, fuel "quality", filter maintenance, injection pump adjustments & installation error & not to mention, quality control.
You wouldn't believe the "new" tips I've sent back for warranty because they wouldn't atomize, right out of the factor sealed package.
Now on the other hand.. a glow plug is just an insulated wire w/ no moving parts..
Ritcheyvs' explanation is feasible..
You wouldn't believe the "new" tips I've sent back for warranty because they wouldn't atomize, right out of the factor sealed package.
Now on the other hand.. a glow plug is just an insulated wire w/ no moving parts..
Ritcheyvs' explanation is feasible..
