cold starting

[cp1969]

A lack of hot, compressed air is as much of a starting problem as lack of fuel. It's got to have both.

Adding an additive that will up the cetane will help a little, not much.

Does your tractor have any kind of cold starting aid like glow plugs or an intake heating grid? If it does, and you're seeing white smoke (unburned fuel) then it must not be working.

 

[hudr]

that almost sounds like a compression issue. Like was said before.. hot, compressed air is needed for combustion in a diesel, plus a shot of finely misted diesel at just the right time. Could the pump be losing prime?
We have a 4320 JD (early turbo job) and it has to crank over quite a bit on a cold morn due to its decreased compression.

 

[kozak]

robison,

Ditto......incredible response. Thanks for the info !!

 

[MMM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 30 seconds or until it runs.)</font>

That's real hard on (electric) starters. Many manuals state if engine doesn't start after 10-15 secs to stop and allow starter to cool. The enginr should be at cranking speed in 5secs and if it takes much longer after that, there's a problem somewhere.

 

[nbennett]

My tractor went from easy starting to hard starting in cold weather with one tank of fuel from a different gas station. I drained about a gallon out and did not see any evidence of water . I think that it may be just a lower quality diesel than I have been using.

 

[Trev]

Is it possible that this is having to self-prime on each start.. do to, for whatever reason, with losing the prime while not running? My JD4300 is supposed to self-prime if I run out of fuel.. but I've never had to test that. I would guess it would take a while to do though?

Bob

 

[ccsial]

All tractors do not start the same. My Kubota starts like a gas engine but my Ford is very hard starting at 20 degrees and has been since new. A couple hours on the block heater makes a huge difference. In general, the newer tractors start easier.

Slow cranking may be your oil type. I'd run a good synthetic oil to help with that.

I would get a block heater even if you do find a problem. It's easier on the machine.

 

[kevincook]

My old L175 was definitely more difficult to start than my new tractor. I would have to let the glow plugs heat for about 60 seconds before starting it. When it got down below 20 degrees I would actually just run Kerosene instead of diesel fuel. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Don't tell anyone I said that!

Kevin

 

[trlong]

robinson (and Gunfighter),

Thanks for all the great info. I'm hoping I won't need it but. I'm filing it with my J.D. manuals, in the event my 4115 ever doesn't start w/i the blink of an eye...so far, so good.

Tom

 

[SteveM]

You are talking about a hard starting MF 231, right? witha perkins diesel? these are good, if someone old fashioned, engines. All tractors are not the same, especially if you factor in age and technology. I have a 25yr old mitsubishi compact that requires a lot of heat to start - I keep the block heater plugged in, and it still takes a full minute of glow plug, and sometimes 2 rounds of cranking, to fire up in sub-20 degree temps.

Let us know what your procedure is....glow plug, throttle level, etc. I often open my throttle wide when cranking, then back it off as it starts to take off. Lots of smoke, but that is what an expert told me long ago, and it works....