GC 2310 Block Heater

[DEWFPO]

I'm running the same Amsoil, with an oil pan heater, no block heater, and mine will start below 30F without that much glow time.

Are you sure you don't have carbon build up on your glow plugs, or possibly a weak one?

Good questions, I've checked for voltage at each glow plug when the key is turned and all 3 have full battery voltage. I don't know how to check for a weak glow plug. Two appear to be easy to get to and one looks like a bear. I've only got 81 hrs on the machine and it doesn't smoke when running unless I lug it down a bit. Overall a very clean running machine. I use an anti-gel additive/cetane booster in the winter. When it was new it wasn't this cold blooded. It started faster, better with less glow plug than now. Once it starts it runs fine, no sputter, no smoke. At 70F, on a cold start it will need 10-15 seconds of glow plug. I've never cranked it long enough to see if it will light without the glow plug at that temp.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

DEWFPO

 

[WilliamBos]

I'm running the same Amsoil, with an oil pan heater, no block heater, and mine will start below 30F without that much glow time.

Are you sure you don't have carbon build up on your glow plugs, or possibly a weak one?

I was thinking along the same lines, with one exception, has it been like that since new?? How much does your altitude affect starting? So far, ours has been great.

 

[DEWFPO]

I was thinking along the same lines, with one exception, has it been like that since new?? How much does your altitude affect starting? So far, ours has been great.

It started easier, faster, better the first year I had it (when new). I live at 7,200 ft so that may enter into it but it did start better when new.

DEWFPO

 

[WilliamBos]

It started easier, faster, better the first year I had it (when new). I live at 7,200 ft so that may enter into it but it did start better when new.

DEWFPO

I wonder if a plug is not heating up as hot as thew others?? What year is it? Warranty??

 

[DEWFPO]

I wonder if a plug is not heating up as hot as thew others?? What year is it? Warranty??

Even with a bad glow plug I would think the other 2 cylinders would lite up. But it either fires or it doesn't. I bought it in April 2006, warranty is gone.

DEWFPO

 

[jaybrad]

My 2310 came with the block heater installed. The dealer didn't mention that it was an option, so I figured that's the way they were all configured.

I also run Amsoil in my tractor - both engine and hydro. This is my first winter, so I don't have any first hand experience in cold weather in this tractor, but have been using Amsoil in many other applications for a couple of decades and like it a lot.

My tractor will be in an insulated (but not heated) garage that rarely gets below 40 degrees, so I wonder if it is *really* necessary to let it warm up before using? The garage is attached to the house, and running a diesel engine for even a few minutes is really going to stink (literally).

What say ye?

Jay

 

[DEWFPO]

My 2310 came with the block heater installed. The dealer didn't mention that it was an option, so I figured that's the way they were all configured.

I also run Amsoil in my tractor - both engine and hydro. This is my first winter, so I don't have any first hand experience in cold weather in this tractor, but have been using Amsoil in many other applications for a couple of decades and like it a lot.

My tractor will be in an insulated (but not heated) garage that rarely gets below 40 degrees, so I wonder if it is *really* necessary to let it warm up before using? The garage is attached to the house, and running a diesel engine for even a few minutes is really going to stink (literally).

What say ye?

Jay

40 degrees is still not operating temp. Start the tractor and pull it out of the garage and let it warm up a little.

DEWFPO

 

[ray66v]

At 70F, on a cold start it will need 10-15 seconds of glow plug.
DEWFPO

At 70F you should be able to start it without any glow plugs, after a few seconds of cranking.

At 81 hours its unlikely you have carbon deposits on them, so I would test them with an Ohm meter, to see if they are all at, or near zero Ohms. You can test them in place with the wire lead disconnected. Hold one test lead to the top of the glow plug, and the other to a ground.

One bad glow plug can cause your problem. Although; it would seem that is unlikely at 81 hrs., anything is possible.

If it started fast when you got it, something has changed.

 

[ray66v]

My tractor will be in an insulated (but not heated) garage that rarely gets below 40 degrees, so I wonder if it is *really* necessary to let it warm up before using? The garage is attached to the house, and running a diesel engine for even a few minutes is really going to stink (literally).

What say ye?

Jay

I agree with DEWFPO. I would put it in low, and slowly drive it outside. Then, give it 5 min. to warm up.

 

[ray66v]

Even with a bad glow plug I would think the other 2 cylinders would lite up. But it either fires or it doesn't. I bought it in April 2006, warranty is gone.

DEWFPO

The next thing I would check is compression. If 1 cyl. is off, that could cause starting issues.