Ford 1700 Starting problem

[Piper Pacer]

I'm in the process of trying to purchase a 1982 Ford 1700 4x4. They said it was in good condition but it's really hard to start. Someone told them that they needed new glow plugs and fuel injectors. They also said that after you get it started it runs fine, but it burps a little diesel out of the exhaust when running.

Does this sound like a major problem and should I stay away?
They don稚 know how many hours are on the tractor and I haven稚 seen it in person.

Thanks....

 

[JC-jetro]

I'm in the process of trying to purchase a 1982 Ford 1700 4x4. They said it was in good condition but it's really hard to start. Someone told them that they needed new glow plugs and fuel injectors. They also said that after you get it started it runs fine, but it burps a little diesel out of the exhaust when running.

Does this sound like a major problem and should I stay away?
They don稚 know how many hours are on the tractor and I haven稚 seen it in person.

Thanks....

With so little information it is difficult to pin point the cause. it may be fuel related. Fuel pump can be checked for flow or pressure or at the least you can crack open the lines that go to injector, you'll be able to see the flow and may be eject some air out of the pump if you have any. Do not expect a gosh of flow as the flow is in small and in bursts. Injector spray pattern can be checked by a shop or visually but I would myself take the injector apart unless I see no flow or bad spray pattern, it is a involved process. The injector has a little flow but with a tremendous pressure. High pressure fuel jet can easily break your skin and cause issues if you are not careful. Glow plugs n(two) are very easy to remove for inspection. I have not had a need to check for the resistance specs for the glow plug but NH dealer in your area most likely is able to give you that info quickly. At the least you can take the glow plug off, turn the ignition key left for 30 second to energize glow plug or directly jump it off of the battery and using an infra red thermometer you can read the temp. I have not had a need to figure out what temp it should be, NH can give you that info as well but simply by jumping it you can tell " if it gets hot". I'd look at the condition of fuel , water in the tank (condensation), condition of the fuel filter and the moisture in the sediment bowl. all of the stuff I mentioned can be done very simply with a very few tools. Let us know if you want to see and identify the mentioned components.

JC,


ps. Welcome to the TBN Blue.

 

[Piper Pacer]

Thanks for the reply. I know that I don't have much information and probably won't before making the decision to purchase or not. With what you know would you be afraid to make the purchase? It comes with a front end loader and brush hog. The tractor has new tires all the way around.
Price is $3,500.

 

[JC-jetro]

Thanks for the reply. I know that I don't have much information and probably won't before making the decision to purchase or not. With what you know would you be afraid to make the purchase? It comes with a front end loader and brush hog. The tractor has new tires all the way around.
Price is $3,500.

Once you add the loader to the mix, makes it sound like a very good deal. It's very difficult to find a Ford 770 loader. I wonder if they had this thing sitting in a barn corner for many years. it may be just be bad fuel. I think it is unlikely, but fuel injector timing can cause very hard start as well. I'll take a listen to the engine and any funny noise while it is running like rod knocking, crankshaft and etc. If it runs I'd be interested be it rough. You don't want to have to overhaul an engine right of the bat. Does the loader and the 3 point lift work? can you post pics. Adding a bush hog and 4 brand new tire ain't bad at all.

You might have a "diamond in the rough"... I hope

it certainly is good enough to look at it closely. It might just need some TLC. Keep us posted.

JC,

 

[Piper Pacer]

JC-jetro, yesterday I drove for 7 hours and picked up the Ford 1700 tractor. I couldn't wait to get home and start mowing and after getting here I went and bought a new battery because the tractors was advertised as hard to start. After replacing the battery it started right up. I'm not sure what the problems were or are but it seems to be doing great right now.

My question is, can you tell me where the best place, cheapest, is to purchase an owners manual for the tractor? I'm sure I will also need a service manual and thought you would have a good idea on where to find these items for the best price.

A proud Ford 1700 Tractor owner.....

 

[JC-jetro]

JC-jetro, yesterday I drove for 7 hours and picked up the Ford 1700 tractor. I couldn't wait to get home and start mowing and after getting here I went and bought a new battery because the tractors was advertised as hard to start. After replacing the battery it started right up. I'm not sure what the problems were or are but it seems to be doing great right now.

My question is, can you tell me where the best place, cheapest, is to purchase an owners manual for the tractor? I'm sure I will also need a service manual and thought you would have a good idea on where to find these items for the best price.

A proud Ford 1700 Tractor owner.....

Congrats on the purchase. I did not buy an owner's manual as the previous owner had itand gave it to me. I have scanned it in to PDF and it is about 33 megs. Service manual from Ford will be quite pricey and I do not have it. instead I have IT Fo-44from TSC Under $20. It does not include the loader as I do not have one.NH website has great parts break down that I really like a lot.I use the combination I mentioned above and so far I have found answers to all that i needed. I can email you some portion of what you need.

JC,

Let's see some pictures of your tractor.

 

[Piper Pacer]

Thanks JC-jetro, I sent you a privot message.

 

[GasNSteering]

Congrats on the new purchase. Post some pics when you get a chance.

 

[Soundguy]

Clean up the grounds where the battery strap hits the chassie.

Also.. you mentioned burping some diesel out the exhaust.. could be things like wet stacking or slobber.

change the oil.. and run her good and hard... these things don't like to be ideled around and babied all day.

soundguy

 

[JB4310]

Piper, Ive got a 2wd 1700 and JC helped me alot when I first bought it, he seems to know this machine inside and out.
The fact that it started right up after just changing the battery is a real good sign, sounds like a good deal especially with 4x4! and the loader, there's not many of 1700 owners here but every thing I've heard about them is praise.
Did you do the glow plug procedure to start, did the coil on the dash get orange, with mine I do need to glow plug all the time unless it's a hot restart, my alternator was bad and I had to have it rebuilt, it gave no idiot light to tell me it was not charging, just drained my new battery, so watch for that.
How many hours on it? and get some pics, Good Luck!
JB.

 

[Piper Pacer]

JB4310, I had the injectors rebuilt and that fixed the problem. Like yourself JC has helped a lot and you are correct, he knows a lot about the 1700.
My tractor has a little over 1000 hours and although it needs some TLC I think it's going to be a great little tractor for my 3 acres.

Later

 

[ccsial]

I might add that my 1910 had been getting hard to start and the injectors had been replaced. All three glow plugs tested good but I replaced them anyway. Made a big difference. I guess the glow plugs can get weak.

 

[jstaicsu]

Thanks for all your posts. My husband and I bought a Ford 1700, 4x4, with loader at an auction a couple months ago for a great deal. The tractor runs great, but is also hard to start. We've replaced the battery, but still hard to start. My husband went to change the fuel filter and found that there wasn't one. When he put one on, it wouldn't start at all. So, we removed the fuel filter and found that if we put our hand over the exhaust to create a vacuum, when we remove our hand it fires right up. Any thoughts? (I'm sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but I'm a girl with no knowledge of engines and my husband is not computer literate ;-) Should we also proceed with inspecting the injectors/glow plugs? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Soundguy]

Put your hand ove rthe exhaust to make a vacume???

That lil 2 cyl diesel had no filter.. !ouch!.. bet the injector pump LOVES that.

When you put the filter on.. did you bleed the injectors?


soundguy

 

[JC-jetro]

Thanks for all your posts. My husband and I bought a Ford 1700, 4x4, with loader at an auction a couple months ago for a great deal. The tractor runs great, but is also hard to start. We've replaced the battery, but still hard to start. My husband went to change the fuel filter and found that there wasn't one. When he put one on, it wouldn't start at all. So, we removed the fuel filter and found that if we put our hand over the exhaust to create a vacuum, when we remove our hand it fires right up. Any thoughts? (I'm sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but I'm a girl with no knowledge of engines and my husband is not computer literate ;-) Should we also proceed with inspecting the injectors/glow plugs? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I see no relation ship by causing a back pressure on exhaust to help fuel pump pumping capability. On Diesel engines fuel by pressure is atomized in to the cylinder cavity much different than carburated engines. In the same vein as soundguy suggested I break two fuel lines going to the injectors and turn over the engine hoping to pass out any foreign stuff in the pump, same as passing kidney stone. I think there is a good chance of contamination and built up in the pump and with the injectors. If I see brown and mucky fuel is coming out of the fuel discharge line then I give it 10 -15 second run and with 5 minute interval to get all the bad stuff out. You do not want to burn your starter. I will additionally use a suitable Diesel rated injector cleaner in the tank when I put thing back together to continue with cleaning for a while. At a very least you need an inline filter from the tank to pump inlet.

JC,

By the way:
I had a small paint chip or plastic from the fuel cap that settled in the shut of valve when I cleaned my fuel tank. To my surprise it totally plugged the valve and had to take the tank off putting on it's side to remove the shut off valve to clean it by compressed air. See if you get full flow to the filter by taking the hose off with the valve in full open position. Need a cup to catch the diesel.

 

[JB4310]

I would just ad that a few folks have had trouble with these 1700's getting a fuel prime after draining system or like me running it empty.

Also, mine runs great but will not start with out full preheat on the glow plugs even in warm weather, I've learned to accept this and don't try to start it without the indicator coil full red.

Does he know how to activate the glow plugs? Turn the key full left and hold it till the little coil on the dash glows, takes 10+ seconds, then turn key full right to engage starter, I start with throttle full open, as soon as it starts I back throttle down to lower RPM's to allow warm up.

Never thought about it but I guess these don't have fuel filters just fuel/sediment bowls?

Hi JC. how ya doin?

JB.

 

[JC-jetro]

Hi JC. how ya doin?

JB.

Howdy john, fair to Midland I reckon

JC,