Ford 4000 won't start in cold

[DrPhil]

I've got a 1971 Ford 4000 3Cyl deisel that I've never had a problem getting to crank. But, now that it's cold, I can't get it cranked. One day I tried with no success, gave up....only to come back after the sun had warmed it a while and it cranked right up. Yesterday....nothing.

I live in Georgia so I never thought this would be a problem....I checked the manual, It said to try:

1. Ether and other heat accesories...Don't have any
2. Push in the excess fuel button...I don't have one...I looked everywhere.
3. Pull out the kill switch part way....Doesn't seem to help.

OK...any suggestions?

If I take a space heater out there to heat up a portion of the tractor....what part do I need to heat up?

There is a thing in the front of my engine that has electrical wires running from it. (It's never been connected to anything) Is this a glow plug?

 

[irwin]

Let's get the terminology straight.
"Cranked" to a mechanic means starter engages the flywheel and turns the engine over with electrical power. Starting is just that. No start means engine cranks but won't start.

If your engine cranks (fast enough) but won't start when cold it could be a few things, a common issue on diesel engines is "worn rings/cylinder walls or low compression"...another problem could be "glow plugs not heating up" or "injector problems"..either worn out or timing is off.

Start with glow plugs, pull one and see if the heating element is still there (they can rot/burn off), if itlooks okay (see picture) clip wire back on, with it out of engine, and cycle glow plugs, see if it/they get hot.Image:Glow plug.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If this is a true "cranking problem" check starter, and electrical components for the starter circuit.

Good luck....

 

[DrPhil]

Got it. It does crank, but will now start. I was told that my engine does not have glow plugs. Do all deisel engines have glow plugs...and how many?

 

[irwin]

Got it. It does crank, but will now start. I was told that my engine does not have glow plugs. Do all deisel engines have glow plugs...and how many?

No, not all diesels, but many..most even, not sure if your's has em'

If it doesn't have glow plugs, you could try a block heater..... many have benefited in cold start conditions with a good block heater.
Here's a link with descriptions of the several types..(I like the simplicity of the dipstick style) In praise of the lowly block heater - MetroMPG.com

 

[Willl]

Do all deisel engines have glow plugs...and how many?

No, but if they don't have GPs, they usually have an air intake heater.

Those with GPs, have one per cylinder.

 

[CCWKen]

It probably has the intake heater. Open the throttle to near full, turn the key to on for a few seconds then crank the engine. As soon as it starts, back the throttle back down.

 

[jimmysisson]

Did you figure out what the "thing" on the front of your engine was? Is it a house current wire with a plug? You may have a freeze plug heater or radiator hose heater already. A previous owner may have found your rig needed heat to start. If you don't have one, either kind of heater, plugged in an hour ahead of time, will probably cure your starting problem, though poor rings, etc. might be too much to overcome.
Jim

 

[Soundguy]

There is a thing in the front of my engine that has electrical wires running from it. (It's never been connected to anything) Is this a glow plug?

Be more specific. does it have a house electrical plug on it?

Look at your intake manifold. anything screwed into it with wires on it?

soundguy

 

[Doc_Bob]

Check the battery.
Bob

 

[IH3444]

I'm with Doc Bob, and what weight oil are you using? I went from 15w-40 rotella in my little diesel, to 5w-40 synthetic rotella, and what a difference in cranking speed it made. I was a bit surprised. Another thing to try is using either a hair dryer, or a cheapo harbor freight hot air gun, place it into the intake, and allow to run a few minutes. Then still with the hair dryer, or heat gun running, try and start the tractor. The compressed air in the cylinder must reach about 1000F before the diesel fuel sprayed in will ignite. Just a few hundred more degrees in intake temperature will make the difference. I also believe you have a direct injection engine. They start very well, even in cold weather. No glow plugs makes me think that.