ford 4500 tractor, not sure if my starter is up to par

[somanytractors]

The wires are 2 gauge.
I moved the pump to 0. I'll see how it starts in the morning.
The starter was pretty messed up when I got it. It was froze up and full of burnt crud.
I think they kept trying to make it turn while it was froze up.

 

[RickB]

Well I won't get too wound up about 2 gauge cables, at least they aren't 4 gauge. I'd use 1 gauge or bigger myself. Let us know if the pump timing helps.

 

[somanytractors]

It started a lot better set at 0.
But now the starter is getting worse. Most of the time the solenoid engages but the motor does nothing.
And sometimes the motor slows down while cranking and then speeds back up.
I'm done with this starter. Time to put a new one on it.

 

[RickB]

Good call.

 

[somanytractors]

update
New starter didn't help.
And now the problem has changed. Even hot it doesn't like to start, and it's always idled rough. Still runs great at normal speeds.
I'm convinced its a fuel problem.
I dumped the fuel and put in fresh but it didnt make a difference.
I'm going to put in an electric pump and see if that helps.
If not, I'm not sure. Probably check the injectors. I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't working right. I would imagine they would make it hard to start.
Only thing left is the pump.

 

[CoyPatton]

Any chance the fuel you dumped contained water?
It concerns me that you could have a diesel algae issue. If so you need to clean the entire fuel system, from the tank to the injectors. If you can get it started, there are additives that should do a good job on the tank and injector pump. Poor spray pattern on the injectors may require more attention. Also plan to replace the fuel filter a couple of times.

 

[somanytractors]

I don't think there was any issues with the tank, just really old fuel. It wasn't thick or gummed up or anything.

For whatever reason, yesterday morning it decided to start right up without either, and again this morning. I did use the intake heater. I don't think it will start without the heater but I don't really know. Maybe it did just need some fresh fuel.
I think Im going to run it a bit and get everything loosened up. I haven't run it much at all so I'm going to work it some and see if that helps.
I haven't installed the electric pump yet because I've just been too busy but I still might do that. I'm probably going to go ahead and check the compression too as I want to check the injectors make sure they are spraying correctly anyway.
I really dont think theres an issue with the compression but it only takes a minute to check it and then I'll know for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an issue with the injectors.
It really runs pretty good once it starts except for not liking to idle but I think that was even better today.

 

[MutantGenepool]

Starter motors work or they don't usually. Check the injectors.

 

[CoyPatton]

Starter motors work or they don't usually. Check the injectors.

Starters are like small electric motors and have lots of parts that have to work together to do its job.
I have seen starters that spin but do not engage the flywheel (not working) but sounds like it is fine. Likewise I have seen starters that have internal troubles that will engage the flywheel but not spin (not working).
I have also seen starters that have gotten week and will not spin the engine fast enough to fire, but are ‘working’
I have also seen battery cables that will not carry the needed amperage, but carry just enough to engage the starter and barely turn the engine, often with continued load, these cables start to smoke. Often this is labeled as a starter issue, but really is not.
So works are doesn’t dies not mean it is healthy.

 

[somanytractors]

I'm pretty sure its a fuel issue. I replaced the starter a few weeks ago but the new one worked several times and then screwed up and wouldn't stop till I disconnected the cable from the battery. Then after taping it a few times it worked again for a few starts and then screwed up again. Anyway, I didn't see any real difference with the new starter. I did replace the solenoid on the original starter. It works great now, and spins about the same as the new one did. I dont think its a compression issue because compression doesn't usually come and go either you have compression or you don't unless you have a valve issue, but it's never backfired even once, and sometimes it doesn't even want to start when hot. To me this is all pointing to some sort of fuel issue. I'm still going to check the compression while the injectors are out but I expect to find that it's fine.