Ford 1700 VERY VERY hard to start

[Justin84]

I know im new and yes ive searched for my exact problem and haven't had any luck. so ive hard my tractor for prolly a year now and its became very hard to start within the past 6 months even when its hot outside. I have fuel, hot batt, and glow plug indicator glows red but will only start with a quick shot of starting fluid. I'm open for any help and will try anything that i should try, i want to give a big thanks in advance. I have read up on pump timing and on and on but still not sure where to start. My next step is to try to jump the glow plugs to see if that could be it.

 

[Tx Jim]

Utilizing operating glow plugs & ether is a Big NO-NO that can cause an explosion!!!!

IMHO best way to check GP operation while still in cyl head is with an amp meter that has 2 wires attached. Attach one wire from amp meter to positive battery post & other wire end to each GP independently while recording ampere draw. I've seen posters suggest utilizing an ohm meter to test GP's but that test doesn't load the GP similar to the way the amp meter does. If GP's test fine then you probably have a faulty relay.

 

[Justin84]

defiantly makes since, i will check the gp this evening

 

[Jerry/MT]

I know im new and yes ive searched for my exact problem and haven't had any luck. so ive hard my tractor for prolly a year now and its became very hard to start within the past 6 months even when its hot outside. I have fuel, hot batt, and glow plug indicator glows red but will only start with a quick shot of starting fluid. I'm open for any help and will try anything that i should try, i want to give a big thanks in advance. I have read up on pump timing and on and on but still not sure where to start. My next step is to try to jump the glow plugs to see if that could be it.

What do you mean when you say you "...have fuel..."? Do you have fuel at the injectors when you are trying to start? How does the engine run after it's started? Does it develop full power and run well. Is the engine in good mechanical condition (good compression)? If it is and it runs well after it starts then I'd suspect the fuel lines are leaking down when the engine is not running and they have to be re-primed before it will start. Make sure all the fuel delivery lines are tight and that the return line is not plugged.
Be careful with starting fluid because you can break rings with too much of that.

 

[Justin84]

i ment have fuel in the tank, i was just ruling out the fact that it could be empty. once it does fire up it runs like a top. But i can bush hog for a solid hour then shut it off to clean screen out then after maybe 15min of being off it will not want to start back up, does the same as if im just starting it up from a couple days of sitting. I can crack the injectors and diesel will come out but not a hard stream as it should. I hate to use the fluid to get her to start just from stories ive heard. I will check the lines and the return today. Is there anything else i should check?

 

[Justin84]

so yesterday i check i the delivery lines and all were snug but i gave the 1/4 turn to make sure, return line it good as well. so i bled the injectors to make sure there weren't bubbles then re-tightened them, tractor still wouldn't fire. I'm wondering if it has gotten hooked on the fluid?

 

[Jerry/MT]

so yesterday i check i the delivery lines and all were snug but i gave the 1/4 turn to make sure, return line it good as well. so i bled the injectors to make sure there weren't bubbles then re-tightened them, tractor still wouldn't fire. I'm wondering if it has gotten hooked on the fluid?

have you checked the glow plugs as TX Jim advised? Is the fuel return line passing fluid into the tank when the engine is running?

 

[mostly_gas]

FYI 1700 Fords (Shibaura built) does not have GP timer, GP gets current as long as key is turned left.

 

[Billrog]

If there is the slightest air leak this is one of the symptoms clean everything up and check for damp spots between the fuel filter and ejection pump. A bad gasket on the fuel filter will do this as well.

 

[Justin84]

i did check the return lines yesterday, they are all clear. I didnt remove them with it running just because it started to rain on me. I haven't noticed any leaks at all but i do have a crack in my fuel filter housing that that i sealed up. Once this rain blows through i will fire it up and check that the return lines are moving fuel to the tank. Guys i want to give a huge thanks for all the help so far!!