bobcat 743 starting problem

   / bobcat 743 starting problem #1  

dirtdog44

New member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
7
Tractor
bobcat 743
i have a bobcat 743. It has to have a short blast of ether to start up. The glow plugs I have replaced and they seem to be working.. It runs great and has plentyof power once running. Any ideas?? It does not smoke after startup or while running it. If I try to start it with out ether white smoke comes out of the exhaust. Yep you guessed it my first bobcat.
 
   / bobcat 743 starting problem #2  
I would try a block heater of some type. Even a magnetic type would help. Cart before the horse. Does it start okay in warm weather? How many hours on machine? Search other threads in regards to the danger of either in Kubota engines. Is the engine turning fast enough when trying to start using glow plugs alone? Sorry for all the questions and no answers.
 
   / bobcat 743 starting problem #3  
Could be the glowplug controller. Simple test is to hook a 12v light to one of the glowplugs and watch how long it stays on. Depending on temperature it should stay on about 15~30 seconds. Another thought is how long do you wait before turning the key to start? Again the glowplugs have to have time to warm up the cylinders before starting.
 
   / bobcat 743 starting problem #4  
Do some more investigation on the glow plug system. The glow plug timer on a 743 is the person with their hand on the key, you should be able to hear a solenoid click when you turn the key to the left to activate plugs. The aluminum "wires" between the plugs get a black corrosion built up on them at the connection, wire brush works good. Ohm the plugs while the wires are off, there is a value but I cant remember. All should be close to the same however. White smoke and no start means it's trying to burn the fuel but it just not warm enough to light off.

All that being said I've saw many 743's that would not start on a 100 degree day without glow plugs. Kubotas are very sensitive about ether, just a whiff is often too much and will lock it up. Absolutely do not use ether and glow plugs together !!!
 
   / bobcat 743 starting problem
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I will check those things out guys and thanks a bunch. I am not sure how many hours but the hour meter says 1243. It is hard to start even when it is warm out. I will check out you suggestions and let you know. thanks all
 
   / bobcat 743 starting problem
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I ended up putting in an inline heater on the radiator. Starts great in the cold now.
 

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