Cold starting

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> PTO switch was on </font>

Did it try to turn over, but was just too hard, or did it just do nothing with the PTO switch turned on? Just curious. I did that once in the summer with the mower on, but don't recall what happened. I do remember it started once I turned off that switch.

 

[MossRoad]

Ed,
That's one of the things that kind of bugs me about small gas engines... they can be identical, but not work the same. Very aggrevating, indeed. Mine seems to turn over very easily. I do notice it seems to turn slower in the cold, but is still fires up. Funny thing is, I have several small gas engines that are over 15 years old that I've never removed the spark plug from, never never changed the oil in, rarely clean the air filter and rarely start. But they all seem to start and run easily. Of course, on our PT, I follow all the guidlines for maintenance, because it is way more $$$ investment than a $150.00 lawn mower or snowblower. Maybe it has something to do with total hours. I only have about 180 on the PT since new in December 2001(that would have been about 600-800 on my 1969 Simplicity + a lot of back breaking labor).

Have you tried synthetic oil in the engine? That is the only modification from stock that I have made. I'm convinced it lets the engine spin much easier on cold starts.

Our little out building is just a wood shack one car garage away from the house. No external heat. In the mornings it is usually 5-10 degrees colder inside than outside. By afternoon, it is 10-20 degrees warmer if the sun is out.

 

[J_J]

Check the gap on the plugs. Wrong gap will change the timing If the plugs are set properly check ignition timing.

 

[Gravy]

J.C Whitney still carries a dipstick heater that might fit the engine. McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) likely has an immersion heater that will work.

 

[stray]

Guys the other day it was about 15 degrees F. I left the pt outside. It turned over and kinda tried to start but it wouldn’t. I then used the starter to lope it inside my shop. Let it set there for about 2 hrs, cleaned the spark plugs of fuel residue and charged the battery up. It then started. I see now that if I want a dependable machine I must keep it warm in the winter time.

 

[TanSprFarm]

I changed over to AMSOIL AFF in the engine and Amsoil ATH hydro fluid about a week ago. With full choke and throttle it starts consistantly as low as 5deg f after a short crank. As soon as it fires I move to 1/2 choke and throttle until it warms. With the non synthetics I had difficulty below 20deg f. and was using a torpedo heater to preheat for 10 min or so. I have become a believer in synthetics. The engine has 120 hours.

 

[pequeajim]

I'll probably move mine to synthetic in the engine by next fall. By then I will have over 100 hours on the tractor and it should be well on it's way to breaking in.

 

[PTRich]

A dip stick heater may work very good in the hydralic tank also. The warmer fluid is easier to turn over.

 

[PTRich]

It just went click. Like a car with a very dead battery.

 

[cqaigy]

Hey MR

On my 422, with the pto on, the starter doesn't go on. There must be a cut out on the pto switch so that the starter doesn't energize.