GC 2400 Hard Starting

[DEWFPO]

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

Three hours is a long time for such a small engine block. How cold are you getting to? I find 1 hr at +15F was plenty for it to fire up easily and stay running. (I still had to use 45 seconds of glow plug and 1/4-1/3 throttle during cranking). You can probably save your self some money by cutting back on the timer use.

DEWFPO

 

[irvingj]

I'd agree; I find that one hour or less on the block heater is adequate to make starting pretty easy. If it's above zero, about a half hour seems plenty. (And yes, I still have to use a couple 30-second shots of glow power.)

 

[northwoodpower]

I find a lot of people are not using the glow plugs when they think they are. There is not a light or other signs the glow plugs are in use.

Your tractor should start with the glow plugs. The key needs to be under spring tension almost to the start, but just before the engine turns over is when the glow plugs are working.

Glow once and if the tractor turns over more than three or four times then glow a second time and the tractor should fire up after two or three cranks.

 

[jlsmith]

I find a lot of people are not using the glow plugs when they think they are. There is not a light or other signs the glow plugs are in use.

QUOTE]

The MF scut and cut do have glow plug lights on the dash.:thumbsup:

 

[AMCS]

Does altitude have any effect on starting? I'm up at 4300'.

 

[ray66v]

The MF scut and cut do have glow plug lights on the dash.:thumbsup:

First thing I did was add one. :thumbsup:

I didn't want to sit there holding the ignition on, waiting for glow plugs that weren't even on.

 

[ray66v]

Does altitude have any effect on starting? I'm up at 4300'.

You need a specific fuel to air mixture for the engine to start.

Temperature and altitude affect air density, so they do affect the ratio.

4300' air is thinner, but cold temperatures make it thicker. There is the possibility in your case, sometimes these could offset each other.

 

[Don87]

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.

That's what I was thinking, but I did exactly as my dealer did with a brand new 2400 on the lot. The only difference was that the one he started was sitting outside, covered with snow, and mine was in an unheated garage.(the dealer is only 13 miles away, this test was done the same day.........within 30 minutes of trying to start mine)

The new one fired up instantly(after 15 seconds on the glow plugs), and smoothed out after about 5 seconds.
Mine,(purchased last May), took three tries, holding the glow plugs in the on position, for 45 seconds to 1 minute or more(throttle smoothed out after about 20 seconds.


The "crank engine first" is because of the 'indirect fuel injection'. Takes a few turns to get fuel into the cylinders.

 

[Don87]

I find a lot of people are not using the glow plugs when they think they are. There is not a light or other signs the glow plugs are in use.

Your tractor should start with the glow plugs. The key needs to be under spring tension almost to the start, but just before the engine turns over is when the glow plugs are working.

Glow once and if the tractor turns over more than three or four times then glow a second time and the tractor should fire up after two or three cranks.

On my 2400, the glow plug light comes on when the key is in the on position, but the glow plugs don't work until I turn the key..........almost to the 'start' position as you described.

But on mine, I did notice that after using the glow plugs, and trying to start.................if I turn the key off,(or just release the key)the glow plug light will stay off for a while.(that's why I'm thinking the glow plugs are on a timer, or a 'heat cut-off' switch).

 

[Don87]

I should also add at this point............that when I tested the glow plugs...........they were hot enough to melt skin after being on for 1 second, then left to cool for 30 seconds while sitting on my log splitter.(I had removed them from the engine and tested independently).

 

[Don87]

But judging by all the comments here...........mine isn't acting differently than any others.


Soooooooooooooo, I'm gonna do what Ray said...............Make wifey start it from now on:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[blackd]

But judging by all the comments here...........mine isn't acting differently than any others.


Soooooooooooooo, I'm gonna do what Ray said...............Make wifey start it from now on:laughing::laughing::laughing:

It's obviously all in the touch

 

[ray66v]

I still don't get the, crank it first, step.

It has an electric fuel pump. Everything downstream from the pump, should still have fuel in it, even before you turn the key. Once the key is on, the pressure comes up, and it's ready to run.

My manual for the same engine, does not show the crank the engine step. It says to turn the key "on" for a few seconds, which makes sense, so the fuel system can pressurize, but does not list craning the engine.

They do suggest all starts be done with the throttle at 1/2 open. . That's a little excessive. :confused2:

Don, keep in mind all tractors, and computers, are female. Which explains a lot. :thumbsup:

 

[Don87]

I still don't get the, crank it first, step.

It has an electric fuel pump. Everything downstream from the pump, should still have fuel in it, even before you turn the key. Once the key is on, the pressure comes up, and it's ready to run.

My manual for the same engine, does not show the crank the engine step. It says to turn the key "on" for a few seconds, which makes sense, so the fuel system can pressurize, but does not list craning the engine.

They do suggest all starts be done with the throttle at 1/2 open. . That's a little excessive. :confused2:

Don, keep in mind all tractors, and computers, are female. Which explains a lot. :thumbsup:

LMAO:laughing::laughing:

 

[Don87]

I still don't get the, crank it first, step.

It has an electric fuel pump. Everything downstream from the pump, should still have fuel in it, even before you turn the key. Once the key is on, the pressure comes up, and it's ready to run.

My manual for the same engine, does not show the crank the engine step. It says to turn the key "on" for a few seconds, which makes sense, so the fuel system can pressurize, but does not list craning the engine.

They do suggest all starts be done with the throttle at 1/2 open. . That's a little excessive. :confused2:

Don, keep in mind all tractors, and computers, are female. Which explains a lot. :thumbsup:

Could have sworn I saw that in the manual, but, I can't find it now.

But it does say to use the glow plugs for 10 to 15 seconds for cold weather starting.(5 to 7 seconds for normal temps)

The tractor started a lot easier today. Outside temp was about 18 last night. I've purchased fuel at a different location, we'll see if it continues to work better.

 

[Don87]

Update:

5 below zero, Massey won't start. Pulled fuel filter just out of curiousity........fuel gelling even with Power Service in it.

Sometimes it really sucks to be me.........do things right, and it's still screwed up.

 

[Paystar]

Wow Don, that must be horrible fuel down there. You used the power service in the white bottle? You should contact them.....they claim they will pay all costs if you ever have a gelling/freezing with their product, lol.

I'm not sure where you get your fuel, but I've found in the States, I only buy fuel at the big, busy truck stops. Anytime I've gotten fuel at a gas station, i could never get ANY mileage from it?

 

[ray66v]

Update:

5 below zero, Massey won't start. Pulled fuel filter just out of curiousity........fuel gelling even with Power Service in it.

Sometimes it really sucks to be me.........do things right, and it's still screwed up.

I don't use Power Service, but I am sure it normally works. Have you tried contacting them? 1-800-643-9089

 

[Don87]

I don't use Power Service, but I am sure it normally works. Have you tried contacting them? 1-800-643-9089

Haven't contacted them, and probably won't. I dumped extra in the tank a few minutes ago, grabbed the rops and shook the tractor so hard I brought the right rear wheel off the ground. So I guess I got it mixed good enough.

I'm going to use my 'oil filled radiator style heater' and a blanket to warm the tractor up some, but I'll still need to jump start it..........battery is pretty low now.

 

[Don87]

Wow Don, that must be horrible fuel down there. You used the power service in the white bottle? You should contact them.....they claim they will pay all costs if you ever have a gelling/freezing with their product, lol.

I'm not sure where you get your fuel, but I've found in the States, I only buy fuel at the big, busy truck stops. Anytime I've gotten fuel at a gas station, i could never get ANY mileage from it?

Nearest truck stop is 13 miles away, and it's just a small one. The place I purchased the fuel at is owned by the local concrete plant/hardware store/lumber company, he puts it in his own trucks, so I figured it would be ok.