glow plug removal and testing on TC 29

[dqdave1]

As I said in my first statement; it was gettin a little harder to start. It still started but would take a couple of tries. I thought only two glow plugs were working; figured I would remove them for inspection. Never did get any of them out. I retightened them, cleaned up buss bar and glow plug ends and it seemed to start a little easier. If they are carboned up, I may have loosen up some of it to get a little heat to it.Now my question is; Is there a product that will remove carbon buildup? I use power serve in every tank. I did spray some seafoam deep crawl cleaner into air intake while it was running, thinking it may help with carbon removal, since it said it removes carbon. I was afraid the glow plug may break and drop into cylinder.

Another point I need to make. This engine has always needed glow plugs after it sits for more than 8 hours, even if it is 80 degrees out. I did ask dealer to get as much pto HP as he could when it was new. It did smoke a little more after that. Is this causing my carbon build up?
Thanks to all the replies; Much appreciated.

 

[jinman]

Another point I need to make. This engine has always needed glow plugs after it sits for more than 8 hours, even if it is 80 degrees out. I did ask dealer to get as much pto HP as he could when it was new. It did smoke a little more after that. Is this causing my carbon build up?
Thanks to all the replies; Much appreciated.

I think you are onto something, Dave. Your dealer probably turned up the "juice" and it is leaving lots of carbon deposits. I think the reason your tractor is a hard starter is that the glowplugs have so much carbon that the heat is not transferred to the cylinder. Do you use your tractor for a lot of short jobs where the engine might not come up to full heat? Cool running engines and short operating cycles are a sure way to build up carbon in a cylinder. If your glowplugs are that carbonized, you have to wonder if your heads and valves don't also have lots of carbon. If the valves get carbon deposits, it may lead to hot spots and early failure. I think you need to have a good diesel mechanic diagnose this issue with the buildup. That might be your dealer or a generic diesel garage.

The Berryman B-12 I mentioned is a good carbon dissolving agent. I used to use it to soften the carbon on spark plugs in a gasoline engine. I'm pretty sure there are other products that will do the same thing.

 

[JC-jetro]

This engine has always needed glow plugs after it sits for more than 8 hours, even if it is 80 degrees out. I did ask dealer to get as much pto HP as he could when it was new. It did smoke a little more after that. Is this causing my carbon build up?
Thanks to all the replies; Much appreciated.

I know on mine I can change and adjust fuel delivery rate at the mechanical injector pump. I never messed with it and the fact at the factory they locked it with a wire at required adjustment for proper engine operation. I think most probably the dealer increased the fuel discharge rate to get a bit more Hp and as a result you have a harder time to start and have a carbon build up issue. I'm sure having proper test equipment they can figure out right fuel amount at the required pressure by pump adjustment. I neither have the right equipment or experties to tackle the job unless I researched it. I would probably take it back to the dealer to check and adjust fuel delivery to required factory spec and not soup it up.

JC,