4035 Starting Issues

[tjus77]

I thought I saw this discussed somewhere before, but I can't find it. It has happened 3 times now. I go to start the tractor (twice it was after a number of days of rain, but the tractor is in a shed), and it turns over, but no fire. I press on the hand primer on the injection pump and let it sit a few minutes, then it starts. No problems after that starting and stopping. Unless it sits for a week while it is raining. Anything better to try or something needs replacing?

Thanks in advance.

TJ

 

[boudreaux81]

Check braided fuel line. Leaking allowing air in causing fuel bleed back to tank.

 

[RedFirstGen]

As mentioned above. If it's got the original braided fuel lines it's likely your culprit.

 

[Sysop]

+1 on the 35 series fuel lines. You won't see any fuel leak unless it is on the return side and that just gets slightly damp at worst. The pressures side sucks air into the airflow and causes the tractor to run lean and sometimes die, also causes hard starts cause of lack of fuel, and when not running, it can't hold fuel in the lines as air seeping into the lines allows all the fuel to return to the tank. It is a known issue on the 35 series with the original style fuel lines with the braided covering. They came up with a newer hose to use on the replacements which is dandy.

Below is a side by side, original braided on the left and the new style on the right. If your tractor came with the updated lines, you'll need to seek another solution.

 

[DavesTractor]

Ditto on the hoses, well known problem.

While speaking of hoses, I like to give a heads-up fairly frequently to all 35 series owners; make sure your power steering (hydraulic) hose is well away from your positive cable terminal at the starter. If not, move and secure it before you drive it again.

 

[dhaymon]

Better get it fixed quick! I reported it a couple of months ago to my dealer when I took my 5035 in for a 300 hr service. Told them I was having hard start issues. They gave me my tractor back without priming the pump. I called and they said I didn't know how to operate the tractor. I primed the pump but continued to have the issues. Finally lost the starter and had to have it hauled back to the dealer at my expense. They are replacing the fuel lines, but admitted they didn't check the recalls and would fix it. Today when I called for a status they told me the starter is a wear item and probably would have to be replaced at my cost. I reminded them of what I asked them to check when I first brought it in and they said no promises...

Guess who won't be getting the sale on the mPower 85p I was considering!!

 

[Sysop]

I think I'd call MUSA and explain that situation in full if the dealer tries sticking you with it. No way they should have let the hard starts slide then charge you for a starter.

 

[RaymondEdward]

Wouldn't the starter be part of the power train warranty?

 

[DavesTractor]

I think I'd call MUSA and explain that situation in full if the dealer tries sticking you with it. No way they should have let the hard starts slide then charge you for a starter.

I agree that a call should be made. I thought all dealers knew about the fuel hose issues. But we do not know the entire story, if the tractor starts poorly and you crank and crank on it there would be some responsibility on the owner to have the issue revisited even if the dealer's answers were not satisfactory at first. Not placing blame on the owner, but I don't want to throw the dealer under the bus either.

 

[Sysop]

Agreed, you shouldn't run a starter more than about 20-25 seconds at a time, giving it about 10 or 15 seconds of pause between tries to cool off. Too many folk these days do get in too big of a hurry, but I still say the dealer should have never let it leave their shop with the hard start issue still affecting it. Bad choice on their part and they should make that right. Beyond that, telling the customer "you just don't know what you're doing" is especially bad since the salesmen should always go over the operation of any new equipment they're going to be providing warranty on. If a customer isn't doing something right, instruct them rather than cast them off as some sort of idiot. From the story provided here, I don't think this is the sort of dealer MUSA wants and I'd gladly throw them under the bus...