GC 2400 Hard Starting

[Don87]

I posted something about it on the Kubota thread in reference to someone else's problem, but I'll put it here also.

Since it has gotten colder here, I've been having increasing problems starting my GC2400.

I have no block heater. Tractor is stored in an unheated garage.

I just did the 50 hour service(starting problem existed before this).

Takes at least 3........sometimes 4 tries to get the tractor to stay running(fires, sputters some, then shuts off).

Trottle position make no difference as long as I'm above idle, I've tried 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, WOT.

Glow plug timing makes no difference, 15 seconds, 30, 45, 60.

What I have done, besides the service(oil change, all filters, Hydraulic oil), is pull the glow plugs.

I preformed 2 tests on them............first was with the ohmeter, which showed continuity(normal). Second was I individually tested each glow plug in the circuit, each one got hot instantly as soon as I grounded it.

The only other thing I can come up with now is 'fuel quality', so I'm going to change the place I purchase my fuel at.

But I will add, that on my 50 hour service, My fuel filter was 'black'. Which in my opinion is unacceptable.

 

[rjmack]

i bought mine in early may... had to use the glow plugs to get it going to move it off the trailer when i got it home.

it really does seem to be susceptible to cold starting problems... good thing i have a block heater

maybe a trouble light or 500w halogen under the hood on the injector pump side would make the difference?

 

[irvingj]

Don, I check my fuel filter every time I do service or poke around under the hood, but have yet to change it; it has always looked good... still does. Sounds like fuel may be --or may have been-- your issue. (My 2310 has about 200 hrs now.)

I get my tractor diesel at the same truck stop I go to to fill up my Jetta TDI- so far never a problem. I use Stanadyne in both the Jetta and the tractor.

Has the new one turned black? Do you use a fuel additive?

I will admit that my 2310 seems to like several glow plug applications before it will start well, if I don't use the block heater.

 

[MFRED]

I think you have pin pointed your problem with fuel issues. A little additive will do some good. Changing fuel stations will help too. Sometimes cracking the throttle a bid while cranking will help too.

You may want to try a little Biocide, that blackness may be algea waiting to screw up your injection system.

 

[Don87]

Thanks for the replies so far.

With an electric 'radiator type' heater, beside the tractor(under a blanket for an hour), it starts easy.

I'm using Power Service for the additive.

I thought about the algae aspect, could be.......not sure yet.

5 hours since the filter change, it has not turned black yet.

Several glow plug applications on the 2310.........maybe my tractor is normal.

I have about 5 gallons of fuel in my tank now(just emptied my fuel can yesterday). I will be trying the fuel from another station and see if it helps at all.

 

[ray66v]

Although many people use them, you should not need fuel additives. Your supplier should be putting in the proper additives before you buy it. We know they don't always.

Although, I will admit I use a small amount of Opti-Lube XPD, as insurance to increase lubricity, (about 1/2 of the recommended amount). Even before I did, I never had fuel issues. I buy off road ULSD, from a local supplier, who has a very good reputation, rather than from a gas station. They insist their additive package is top of the line, and up to the job.

Perhaps if you can do the same, your troubles will disappear.

Sounds like you've tried everything else, but sometimes it's still the operator. We have several aircraft, at the airport, that one guy will get to start right up when it's cold, and others can't, even though they supposedly do the exact same thing. Mojo? ::smiley_aafz:

 

[Don87]

Could just be me, and my son............you may be onto something though.

I'll have the wife start it from now on

 

[ray66v]

I can remember two times when my wife went out to start mine in the morning, and one time I asked her to start it when I was on the way home from work. So far, she is 3 for 3.

So, it's worth a try. :thumbsup:

 

[Gio]

I had to install a block heater in my GC. Starts like a champ now. I have the heater set on a timer for 3am to 6am daily...waiting for that big morning snow

 

[MF RED in MT]

Since it has gotten colder here, I've been having increasing problems starting my GC2400.

I have no block heater. Tractor is stored in an unheated garage.

Hey Don87, I had the same cold starting problems, but did not have the fuel filter problem. I bit the bullet and purchased the MF blockheater, simple to install, and solves the problem, :thumbsup:. When it is -20 degs F, I only plug it in for about 45 minutes and it starts right up and runs like it is already warmed up, :thumbsup:. Good luck, KC

 

[bakerg]

Bought new GC2400 in September, first snow fall went to start and it wouldn't. Found if I jumped the tractor with a bigger cranking amp battery the engine turned over quicker and started right up

 

[blackd]

Bought new GC2400 in September, first snow fall went to start and it wouldn't. Found if I jumped the tractor with a bigger cranking amp battery the engine turned over quicker and started right up

Don, bad battery, low battery, or it is just undersized for the demand at cold times. How long did you fire the Glow Plugs? When cold it takes nearly a minute on mine before the engine likes that added heat. I also have the fuel all the way on, then immediately lower it to ~1K-1,500 RPMs.

 

[bakerg]

Don, bad battery, low battery, or it is just undersized for the demand at cold times. How long did you fire the Glow Plugs? When cold it takes nearly a minute on mine before the engine likes that added heat. I also have the fuel all the way on, then immediately lower it to ~1K-1,500 RPMs.

Held glow plugs on as recommended by manual. Did however hold them on longer 1 day whenit was a little warmer and it started. Just might get a greater cranking amp battery when the original fails.

 

[Don87]

Bought new GC2400 in September, first snow fall went to start and it wouldn't. Found if I jumped the tractor with a bigger cranking amp battery the engine turned over quicker and started right up

I just went out to start the Massey. It's about 10 degrees here.

Turned the tractor over 4 or 5 revolutions, to start the fuel flow, as per the manual. Engine turned over slowly.

Activated the glow plugs for 15 seconds, attempted starting, it fired good, but sputtered and shut off.

Usually at this point, I wait until the glow plugs will activate again(as I think they may be on a timer, or heat sensor), but this time I didn't wait..........I cranked it again immediately, it sputtered and smoked for about 5 seconds, then continued running.

CCA of the battery is a good call here, I just need to get a meter to check it.

I should also note that I did one other thing differently, I worked the throttle up and down while cranking, as opposed to leaving in a set position.

 

[ray66v]

Activated the glow plugs for 15 seconds, attempted starting, it fired good, but sputtered and shut off.

Progress!!

My experience is 15 seconds is not nearly long enough for those conditions. The fact that it quit, would indicate that was the case. If it quits running, or runs very rough initially, you needed more glow plug time.

In that low a temperature, 30 seconds, or more, would likely be prudent. In time, as glow plugs get old and soot covered, these times may need to be extended even longer.

I have no idea why they suggest you crank the engine first? Simply turning on the ignition will energize the fuel pump, and "start the fuel flow".

If your moving the throttle, once you find the throttle position that it fires at, try just setting it there the next time.

 

[AMCS]

I think we need to establish how cold is cold. In my limited experiance:
Above 25 deg F I can start my 2310 using about 30 seconds on the glow plugs.
10-25 deg F I may have to use more time on the glow plugs and jump from another battery.
Below 10 deg F I need to warm the tractor with a forced air heater before even trying to start it.
Once started I allow plenty of warmup time before putting it to work.
My tractor sits in a covered non-insulated open shed so the outside temperatures can really affect starting.

 

[blackd]

I have synthetic oil in mine to lessen the effect of the cold. We seldom get as cold as you guys are describing, but as always it is in the coldest, snowiest weather when it wants to balk at starting.

 

[ray66v]

I think we need to establish how cold is cold. In my limited experiance:
Above 25 deg F I can start my 2310 using about 30 seconds on the glow plugs.
10-25 deg F I may have to use more time on the glow plugs and jump from another battery.
Below 10 deg F I need to warm the tractor with a forced air heater before even trying to start it.
Once started I allow plenty of warmup time before putting it to work.
My tractor sits in a covered non-insulated open shed so the outside temperatures can really affect starting.

That seems to be a good guide. The problem is, results seem to vary.

Unless you had the same person starting them all, in the same place, on the same day, you can't tell for sure if the difference is the machines, or technique.

For example, my 2310 has always started, even in below zero conditions, without any external heat, or additional power. :confused3:

 

[bakerg]

That seems to be a good guide. The problem is, results seem to vary.

Unless you had the same person starting them all, in the same place, on the same day, you can't tell for sure if the difference is the machines, or technique.

For example, my 2310 has always started, even in below zero conditions, without any external heat, or additional power. :confused3:

I agree, every tractor will have some variation on starting, I will just try different techniques and see what works best for my tractor. This has been the only glitch I have had with the GC2400 so far so I am quite please with its performance.

 

[ray66v]

I will add for scientific purposes, I do keep a Harbor Freight battery tender on my machine.

It's too small to make a huge difference at very low temperatures, but certainly better than nothing.