Cold weather start problem

[ernemats]

We have had several days of cold weather lows about 5 above. Today got up to about 35 so I decided to get the 422 Power Trac ready for the snow that is to be coming Sunday, well it would not start turned over fine and would run at a slow idle for about 5 seconds then would stop , same thing happened several times. Tried with choke at different settings and same thing , to me it seems like a fuel problem. First I have had starting problem for a long time it usually starts right up. Any ideas what to check first

 

[ponytug]

Murphy strikes again. Not the time for it, is it?

The starting and then dying is suggestive to me of fuel starvation. Perhaps there is water in the fuel, even some ice in the fuel or fuel line? Have you looked in the tank? With all of the cold, water or condensation may have precipitated out of the fuel. Can you warm the engine /gas tank area up at all? Heat gun? Hot pad?

Regardless, a can of anti-icing additive probably wouldn't hurt.

All the best,

Peter

 

[m5040]

My PT180 acts the same way. It seems to me that the hydraulics start flowing in that time period and when pressure starts to build, the engine can't mange the load.

When I need to use the tractor, I put an old fashion incandescent drop light with 100 watt bulb as low as possible in the engine compartment and cover the engine hood/compartment with a blanket at least 24 hours before use. This is in an unheated building.

This will heat the engine, pumps and one wall of the hyd tank. Works for me. Just be careful with oils, gas and flammable products or use a smaller lightbulb.