Oil & Fuel 4100 Smokes

[Towmater]

I just purchased a used John Deere 4100 and this is the first diesel tractor I have owned. Is it normal at start up to have a puff of black smoke in the summer? I noticed when I advance the throttle fast it shoots out a good puff too. This may be totally normal but would like some support to make me feel better about it. Thanks!

 

[kennyd]

Yes, it is all very normal. Congrats on the new 4100.

 

[Towmater]

Yes, it is all very normal. Congrats on the new 4100.

Thanks Super Star Kenny! I appreciate it! I love my new tractor!

 

[DennisFolsom]

I just purchased a used John Deere 4100 and this is the first diesel tractor I have owned. Is it normal at start up to have a puff of black smoke in the summer? I noticed when I advance the throttle fast it shoots out a good puff too. This may be totally normal but would like some support to make me feel better about it. Thanks!

Towmater -

Congrats on the new (to you) tractor!

I recently purchased a used JD 4600 HST. Mine puts out a puff of black smoke on start up, and will also puff if you shove the throttle ahead quickly. I think all the diesel tractors do that. Certainly, the others I tried did it as well. It takes a few seconds for the combustion to get going efficiently enough to reduce the smoke.

 

[6dog]

Congrats towmater! As stated, it's totally normal. You are going to love it.

Also, something you should probably know, the glow plugs only work on these tractors when the key is in the start position. So in the winter, you will want to pull the PTO switch up before you start it and hold the key all the way to the right for 10 seconds or so to activate the glow plugs. Then push the PTO switch back down and and fire it up. Super Star Kenny helped me with that one when I first got mine. :laughing:

 

[kennyd]

Alright... you guys can drop the SSK crap:laughing:

 

[JD5210]

As others have said this is normal. My tractor was purchased used and was doing this. I started to use the JD fuel conditioner and after a few tanks it almost never does either of the items you mentioned any more.

Also check fuel sediment bowl and insure there is no water in there.

 

[Towmater]

Sounds like kennyd knows something! So your telling me when the pto switch is engaged before start up it kills the ignition switch to allow the glow plugs to warm up? And then push the pto button down to start the tractor after it is warmed up? Is this actually in the manual or is kennyd just a good friend to have?

 

[6dog]

Sounds like kennyd knows something! So your telling me when the pto switch is engaged before start up it kills the ignition switch to allow the glow plugs to warm up? And then push the pto button down to start the tractor after it is warmed up? Is this actually in the manual or is kennyd just a good friend to have?

Yes, or you can leave it gear and do the same thing by turning the key and then switching back to neutral. I don't believe it says anything in the manual about it. I guess Deere was just relying on it to heat as it cranks, but on cold days that can make for rough starting. It has been verified with a test light though, and I can tell you when it was in the "teens" last winter, it makes a huge difference. Also notice that you don't have a glow plug position on your ignition switch or a dash light like most diesels.

Oh, and Kenny is an excellent friend to have! :thumbsup:

 

[Towmater]

Yes, I noticed that there is no glow plug light in the dash display. I sell medium duty trucks and we always have a coil light that lights on the dash so I thought it was strange not to find one. The good news is I am aware of it now.

 

[DennisFolsom]

Yes, I noticed that there is no glow plug light in the dash display. I sell medium duty trucks and we always have a coil light that lights on the dash so I thought it was strange not to find one. The good news is I am aware of it now.

I don't know about this detail on the 4100.. However, my 4600 does have a light on the dash for the preheat. Also, on the 4600, you push in on the ignition key, while in the "On" (not Start) position for however many seconds you want to preheat. My manual covers that. Again, your 4100 may have a different system than my 4600.

 

[kennyd]

Again, your 4100 may have a different system than my 4600.

It does. The 4100, 4010, 4110, 4115, and 2210 (just off the top of my head) all had the setup with no manual GP control or indicators.

 

[adolphbell]

I keep my tractor in a garage (always above freezing, even with outside below 10 F) always starts right up, never have to wait.

 

[9973720wb19]

I don't know about this detail on the 4100.. However, my 4600 does have a light on the dash for the preheat. Also, on the 4600, you push in on the ignition key, while in the "On" (not Start) position for however many seconds you want to preheat. My manual covers that. Again, your 4100 may have a different system than my 4600.

my MY 2011 JD 4720 is the same way...turn the key one notch push it in for 10 to 15 seconds then turn to second notch to crank. durning this process ther is a led light icon in the dashbord. however, i can never get this tractor to fire up on a "typical" result. meaning, sometimes it fires right up and sometimes is needs to crank a few times. unlike my other engines which start and fire with the same speed and sound each time...this one has no consistency. even it i start it then move it then start it again...it fires differently each time. i've been playing with different methods have not determined anything yet.

 

[RalphVa]

You'll get A LOT of blackish blue smoke after a winter start (using the PTO button or range lever in L or H for about 4 to 6 seconds with key all the way to start). I usually park my 4010 backed in so the smoke goes out the door in the winter. Also, give it 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. Else it will start and die. Except for lack of a glow light on the JD, I learned all this on our 240D that we had for 25 years. They seem to be identical to the 240D technology, including the 17 mm plugs on the cooling system parts.

Guess it'll be a while before our tractors get the technology in our 2010 Jetta: instant starts, no smoke, no diesel rattle.

Ralph

 

[Towmater]

You'll get A LOT of blackish blue smoke after a winter start (using the PTO button or range lever in L or H for about 4 to 6 seconds with key all the way to start). I usually park my 4010 backed in so the smoke goes out the door in the winter. Also, give it 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. Else it will start and die. Except for lack of a glow light on the JD, I learned all this on our 240D that we had for 25 years. They seem to be identical to the 240D technology, including the 17 mm plugs on the cooling system parts.

Guess it'll be a while before our tractors get the technology in our 2010 Jetta: instant starts, no smoke, no diesel rattle.

Ralph

Thanks for all the great advice everyone!