3016 Not starting now that it's cold

[LeeWorm]

Morning everyone,

I have a 2013 3016 with 265 hrs on it. We had a cold front blow through over the weekend and now I can't start the engine. I am presuming it has something to do with the glow plug system as I can crank the engine but all I am getting is white smoke.

The glow plug light cycles as normal and I can hear the relay clicking as normal. However, I have been noticing that it has been taking a couple extra seconds to start even over the summer but this weekend was the first time I recall seeing the white smoke.

So does anyone have some advice or instruction on troubleshooting to determine exactly which component is the culprit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[George2615]

I'd say you need to check the glow plugs. I went through 3 sets of them on my 2615 before I installed the upgrade plugs and timer.
Pop the hood and use a DC volt meter to check for voltage to the plugs when glow plug timer is on. If voltage is there you'll need to disconnect the main bus strip that connects the top of the plugs together then check each one with an ohmmeter. If there is resistance they are probably good. No resistance means the plug is open, zero means a short. Either way they are bad.

 

[RNeumann]

Prob nothing to do with glow plugs. Odds are it’s just some jelled fuel in the filter. Warm the fuel and you will be fine......start with the easy stuff first. Btw an IR temp meter is under $20 on Amazon. Instantly tell you about the glow plugs, manifold heater or whatever else you want to know about.

 

[nybirdman]

Seeing that you are in Louisiana;what is cold?I mean is it 40 degrees F?Fuel is probably the culprit;I would add PowerService or Howes;maybe PowerService 911.I don't even need glow plugs up North when it is above 40 F.With winter blend and PS ours will start at 20F.with-out plugging in the block heaters.

 

[RNeumann]

Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~1022℉ (-50℃～550℃), Yellow and Black Amazon.com: Etekcity Lasergrip 1 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~122℉ (-5℃～55℃), Yellow and Black: Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[newbury]

Prob nothing to do with glow plugs. Odds are it痴 just some jelled fuel in the filter. Warm the fuel and you will be fine......start with the easy stuff first. Btw an IR temp meter is under $20 on Amazon. Instantly tell you about the glow plugs, manifold heater or whatever else you want to know about.

If his tractor is at the location listed, Houma, Louisiana, the coldest it's gotten is 41 degrees, diesel fuel clouds at about 32 degrees.
OP - what's your oil situation? Can you change to a synthetic like a 5W-40 Rotella T6?
Have you checked for water in your fuel? That is in addition to checking the plugs and adding some Power Service or similar.

 

[LeeWorm]

Thank you for the quick reply.

So no voltage when the relay is on when attached as normal.

Normal battery voltage when the harness is removed from the bus bar. (See attached photo.)

Pulled plugs and ohm'ed them out individually. 2 of the 3 could not register on the ohmmeter and all gave 0.1- 0.2 ohm readings during a continuity test.

So my main question is should I find a dealership, the nearest Mahindra dealer is 2 hrs. away, or can I check NAPA and give them the Mitsubishi nameplate information?

 

[LeeWorm]

Okay, I do have an IR thermometer; so forgive for having a brainfart with this but am I checking to see if the plugs themselves are heating up or am I checking the block?

 

[RNeumann]

I’d check right at the plugs. You should have a before and during glow plug operation. You should see at least a few degree difference- just from the conductive heat.

 

[LeeWorm]

Gentlemen,

She is up an running but it did take a couple of cycles on the plugs to get her to fire. I did put some Power Service in and let that sit for a little while. Used the IR to check the heat buildup at the injectors as I cycled the plugs. Started at 58F and cycled until I got #1 to 71F, which took about 6 cycles. #2 only got to 66F and #1 only picked up to 61F.

I do think that it helped that I busted everything loose and retightened everything to make sure that all components had a good electrical connection. However, I still question the plugs even though I think 265hrs is way to premature for them to be going bad.

Again, thanks for all of the assistance!