8 seconds. :-)

[pickeringchris]

My ck27 manual says the glow plugs heat for 8 seconds and that if the engine is warm I can turn the key over at any time during that 8 seconds. Since I keep my shop heated all the time to 18c do I need to let the glow plugs warm up or can I just turn it over right away? Thanks.

 

[mguitas]

My ck27 manual says the glow plugs heat for 8 seconds and that if the engine is warm I can turn the key over at any time during that 8 seconds. Since I keep my shop heated all the time to 18c do I need to let the glow plugs warm up or can I just turn it over right away? Thanks.

Even in a heated garage you still should use the glow plugs. But in the summer time in my garage, when it gets about 90 an humid, then i can just turn the key an start right up. I'm guessing because the engine is warm.

 

[Gittyup]

Wait for the glow plug light to extinguish before starting. This will ensure complete combustion. If it's warm in your garage, it won't likely take them the full 8 seconds. GP controls seem to sense temperature and adjust time according to temp.

 

[pickeringchris]

Ok cool. Thanks guys. As I may I already mentioned, I have never owned a diesel anything before.

 

[Army grunt]

I use mine all the time I feel it saves on starter .
Army Grunt

 

[Mousefield]

Wait for the glow plug light to extinguish before starting. This will ensure complete combustion. If it's warm in your garage, it won't likely take them the full 8 seconds. GP controls seem to sense temperature and adjust time according to temp.

Same here.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I agree with Army Grunt that it is a good idea to let the GP cycle before starting up. Having said that, I have occasionally absent-mindedly fired up my DK45 immediately (ie just turned the key all the way to start) even in below-freezing temps and it starts right up. I don't think this is a good idea to do routinely, but was impressed none-the-less.
BOB

 

[jonyyuma]

On my Kubota I count to 10, it will start without glows, but you really save the starter and it doen't blow as much smoke into garage?

 

[k0ua]

My kubota manual say anything over 32F glow for 2 to 3 seconds. (tho when it is 85 to 90 out I usually just bump the starter and it fires right up). from about 20 to 32degrees .. glow for 5 seconds, and below 20 glow for 10 seconds. If you dont glow for a bit on a cool day, it will not start reliably. but even 2 or 3 seconds of glow plug operation will make it start with just a bump to the key. Makes a big difference.

James K0UA

 

[KiotiDave]

Hey,
Let the glow plugs cycle themselves. They are temperature and timer controlled for optimum starting. Less smoke and longer starter life as has been mentioned. If it is extremely cold you can cycle more than once and also turn them on manually when first started to smooth out the coughing and smoke when cold.
Happy tractoring,
Dave G.
KiotiDave

 

[johnrex62]

Is the glow plug cycle a Kioti thing? On my Kubota L3700SU I can hold the glow plugs on indefinitely without the light going off. I thought it was a manual activation approach, on my tractor at least.

I am not used to diesel engines and sometimes dont think to use them, but I also mostly mow and use the tractor when the outside temp is over 75 degrees. I haven't noticed any difference in starting with or without using the Glow plugs at the lower end temps I have worked in, almost instant starts either way.

 

[k0ua]

Is the glow plug cycle a Kioti thing? On my Kubota L3700SU I can hold the glow plugs on indefinitely without the light going off. I thought it was a manual activation approach, on my tractor at least.

I am not used to diesel engines and sometimes dont think to use them, but I also mostly mow and use the tractor when the outside temp is over 75 degrees. I haven't noticed any difference in starting with or without using the Glow plugs at the lower end temps I have worked in, almost instant starts either way.

John I don't believe our tractors have a timer to cycle the glowplugs.. It is "operator timed" 2 to 3 seconds for over 32degrees and so on.. Like you in the summer time sometimes I dont hit them at all if it is hot. But even down to 60 or so. it helps to hit them for the 2 or 3 seconds. makes for an instant start.

James K0UA

 

[ritcheyvs]

There are two types of Diesels: direct and indirect. Direct engines have no glow plug or prechamber and fuel is injected directly into the cylinder. Indirect motors have a prechamber with a glow plug and the injector sprays into the prechamber. NEVER use ether to try to start a prechamber motor. Prechamber motors tend to run smoother but at slightly lower efficiency, all other things being equal. Compression is the key to Diesel ignition; more compression means more temperature means faster ignition. But if the head/prechamber is cold, it can suck a lot of the heat out of the compressed air so the glow plug is needed to insure a hot zone to start ignition; longer glow actually warms the prechamber surface. Many new, low-hour Diesels will start fine with little or no glow if it's not too cold although they may smoke (white smoke from unburned fuel) at first. But older engines that have lost some compression (or have bad valve adjustment/timing) may not start at all without glow if cold. In this context cold means ambient and hot means near operating temperature, although very low ambient temps are worse. In the extreme, low ambient temps cause wax crystals to form in the fuel which can clog filters. This is worse of you have left-over summer fuel which has a higher "cloud point". Distributors try blend winter fuels by region to help avoid the "wax" problem but there's only so much you can do with #2 Diesel.

 

[dennis52]

There are two types of Diesels: direct and indirect. Direct engines have no glow plug or prechamber and fuel is injected directly into the cylinder. Indirect motors have a prechamber with a glow plug and the injector sprays into the prechamber. NEVER use ether to try to start a prechamber motor. Prechamber motors tend to run smoother but at slightly lower efficiency, all other things being equal. Compression is the key to Diesel ignition; more compression means more temperature means faster ignition. But if the head/prechamber is cold, it can suck a lot of the heat out of the compressed air so the glow plug is needed to insure a hot zone to start ignition; longer glow actually warms the prechamber surface. Many new, low-hour Diesels will start fine with little or no glow if it's not too cold although they may smoke (white smoke from unburned fuel) at first. But older engines that have lost some compression (or have bad valve adjustment/timing) may not start at all without glow if cold. In this context cold means ambient and hot means near operating temperature, although very low ambient temps are worse. In the extreme, low ambient temps cause wax crystals to form in the fuel which can clog filters. This is worse of you have left-over summer fuel which has a higher "cloud point". Distributors try blend winter fuels by region to help avoid the "wax" problem but there's only so much you can do with #2 Diesel.

My 45HP Kioti started fine, without having to use it's manual type glow plugs, when I bought it 10 months ago.
The tractor does operate in a sub tropical climate .
However after 200 hrs it is getting harder to start. I sometimes put the glow plugs on for up to20 seconds without getting it to turn over, then I'll try again and it's fine. The engine stop solenoid is definitely clicking on every time. Put new air and fuel filters in 30 hrs ago

From what's been posted it seems like it may not be a glow plug issue at all and I am thinking maybe a faulty relay ? Any ideas.

Finally, what is the maximum time I should leave the glow plugs on? The manual does not comment on this.

 

[kco]

Hey,
Let the glow plugs cycle themselves. They are temperature and timer controlled for optimum starting. Less smoke and longer starter life as has been mentioned. If it is extremely cold you can cycle more than once and also turn them on manually when first started to smooth out the coughing and smoke when cold.
Happy tractoring,
Dave G.
KiotiDave

I follow KiotiDave's procedure. If the engine is warm the glow plug will not come on and I start it right away. In weather around freezing or a little below, I let the glow plugs cycle, turn the key off/on so it cycles a second time, and then start it.

It's getting -5 to -10 (centigrade) these nights so I attached the electric cord that I had taken off for the summer back on the radiator hose heater. If it's cold I'll plug it in for 2 or 3 hrs before starting, and of course, still use cycle the glow plugs a couple of times. The other option is to hold it in the glow position for 15 seconds or so, but I prefer to use the automatic cycle a couple of times.

 

[kco]

My 45HP Kioti started fine, without having to use it's manual type glow plugs, when I bought it 10 months ago.
The tractor does operate in a sub tropical climate .
However after 200 hrs it is getting harder to start. I sometimes put the glow plugs on for up to20 seconds without getting it to turn over, then I'll try again and it's fine. The engine stop solenoid is definitely clicking on every time. Put new air and fuel filters in 30 hrs ago

From what's been posted it seems like it may not be a glow plug issue at all and I am thinking maybe a faulty relay ? Any ideas.

Finally, what is the maximum time I should leave the glow plugs on? The manual does not comment on this.

I think it must be some other issue. My DK35 has over 200 hrs and starts fine. The other day at about -5 C it started easily without glowing (I did not mean to skip that step). I've made the same mistake a few times around +5 or so and it starts instantly.

When you say it won't turn over, do you mean the starter does not turn the engine over the first time you try to start it? Or do you mean the starter works but the engine won't fire? If the former, it could be something to do with the safety stuff in the starting circuit. Such as the switches to make sure it is in Neutral, the clutch is in, and the PTO is off; or the relay they control.

I don't know the maximum time recommended for using glow plugs. My previous 30 year old Kubota L275 was hard to start and I had to use the glow plugs at least 60 seconds. In cold weather I would hold it on 90 seconds, it would fire but not start, glow again for 30 seconds, fire but not start, glow again, etc.. Perhaps the glow plugs were weak. I had a radiator hose heater that helped in cold weather and if it was quite cold (-30 C or so), I would sometimes tarp the engine and put an electric heater under it for a couple of hours. That made a big difference. But I'm sure you won't be doing that in Queensland.

 

[dennis52]

I think it must be some other issue. My DK35 has over 200 hrs and starts fine. The other day at about -5 C it started easily without glowing (I did not mean to skip that step). I've made the same mistake a few times around +5 or so and it starts instantly.

When you say it won't turn over, do you mean the starter does not turn the engine over the first time you try to start it? Or do you mean the starter works but the engine won't fire? If the former, it could be something to do with the safety stuff in the starting circuit. Such as the switches to make sure it is in Neutral, the clutch is in, and the PTO is off; or the relay they control.

I don't know the maximum time recommended for using glow plugs. My previous 30 year old Kubota L275 was hard to start and I had to use the glow plugs at least 60 seconds. In cold weather I would hold it on 90 seconds, it would fire but not start, glow again for 30 seconds, fire but not start, glow again, etc.. Perhaps the glow plugs were weak. I had a radiator hose heater that helped in cold weather and if it was quite cold (-30 C or so), I would sometimes tarp the engine and put an electric heater under it for a couple of hours. That made a big difference. But I'm sure you won't be doing that in Queensland.

Thanks kco.
The starter always works but the engine won't fire first time for a few weeks then seems to fire up first time again.
Like you , I was spoiled by having it start first time every time until recently.
I did have to replace my engine stop solenoid early on but when that malfunctions the engine will not receive any fuel and won't fire at all. I might try draining the fuel bowl.

How are the snowfalls in BC this season? My favourite place to ski.

 

[kco]

Thanks kco.
The starter always works but the engine won't fire first time for a few weeks then seems to fire up first time again.
Like you , I was spoiled by having it start first time every time until recently.
I did have to replace my engine stop solenoid early on but when that malfunctions the engine will not receive any fuel and won't fire at all. I might try draining the fuel bowl.

How are the snowfalls in BC this season? My favourite place to ski.

I have limited (i.e. almost zero) mechanic skills--but it does suggest a fuel problem. I think it should fire for your temperatures even if the glow plugs weren't operating.

I also encountered the engine stop solenoid problem a couple of times when the tractor was new. But each time it started after the initial failure and it hasn't happened since. So I wonder (and hope) if it was simply tight tolerances that fixed themselves with more operations.

Re: BC snow--I think it is far below normal for most of BC and definitely is below here (ski hill Silver Star, Vernon is 30 km south across the valley from me). I am in the hills midway between Vernon and Salmon Arm and we have a fraction (1/5 th?) of normal.

I think I put a curse on the area by purchasing a 75" snowblower this year. I have only been able to use it once on about 3" of snow.

But it may change. Yesterday the forecasts showed mainly dry and clear. Today they've changed it to snow/flurries/showers for the next seven days. So I'm hoping for that. Even without the blower I always enjoy lots of snow. It's prettier and healthier for the area.

Good luck with the starting problem.

And Merry Christmas.

 

[dennis52]

I have limited (i.e. almost zero) mechanic skills--but it does suggest a fuel problem. I think it should fire for your temperatures even if the glow plugs weren't operating.

I also encountered the engine stop solenoid problem a couple of times when the tractor was new. But each time it started after the initial failure and it hasn't happened since. So I wonder (and hope) if it was simply tight tolerances that fixed themselves with more operations.

Re: BC snow--I think it is far below normal for most of BC and definitely is below here (ski hill Silver Star, Vernon is 30 km south across the valley from me). I am in the hills midway between Vernon and Salmon Arm and we have a fraction (1/5 th?) of normal.

I think I put a curse on the area by purchasing a 75" snowblower this year. I have only been able to use it once on about 3" of snow.

But it may change. Yesterday the forecasts showed mainly dry and clear. Today they've changed it to snow/flurries/showers for the next seven days. So I'm hoping for that. Even without the blower I always enjoy lots of snow. It's prettier and healthier for the area.

Good luck with the starting problem.

And Merry Christmas.

Had a ball at Siver Star when I was a little younger. Bled the injector pump nut today and that seems to have sorted things out.

Merry Christmas to you.