Glow plugs JD 4200

[gregmartin]

How do you check glow plugs & block heater on a John Deere 4200. I got it started at 15 below zero ( barely ) I'm thinking it should have started a lot easyer. My diesel vw sits at work 11hours a day not pluged in and it starts no problem.

 

[RG1]

There are no glow plugs in your 4200. It is a direct injection engine. I have the same exact engine in my 4115.


If you don't run it every day, it can be a bit hard to starting temps that cold. Make sure you have a good battery in it. I replaced mine a couple years ago when it was getting hard to start and it made a huge difference.

 

[gregmartin]

There are no glow plugs in your 4200. It is a direct injection engine. I have the same exact engine in my 4115.


If you don't run it every day, it can be a bit hard to starting temps that cold. Make sure you have a good battery in it. I replaced mine a couple years ago when it was getting hard to start and it made a huge difference.

Is it ok to use starting fluid.

 

[RG1]

Is it ok to use starting fluid.

I know some guys do, but I never do. I don't think it's wise to do on thee little diesels. Make sure your fuel isn't gelling on you. take a look at the fuel in the filer bowl and see if it is solid looking or still nice a clear and liquid. I always use a cetane booster/anti gel treatment in my fuel once temps get to 40 degrees or below

 

[gregmartin]

I think fuel is ok, I use blended fuel from holiday station. I usually don't use it all winter, I can get by with a regular size snowblower. But this year I needed the front end loader.

 

[RG1]

Well, it sure won't hurt to check it. I never trust anyone else to make sure my diesel fuel is ok.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I don't know what year your vw is but they have an automatic glow plug system that works very well. Your 4200 does not have glow plugs but has a heater in the intake manifold. If you push in on the key in the on position you should have a light glowing in the dash. You should then also have power to the wire going into the intake manifold heater which is just below the fitting that the intake manifold hose from the air cleaner attaches onto. If you push the key in long enough and the manifold heater is working it should get warm to the touch. If you plug in your block heater it shouldn't take too long before the block starts to get warm. You can also use a volt meter to check the wires for continuity. If you have to replace the block heater it's not to bad a job. I take off the alternator to give myself a bit of extra room. Have the new one ready with Teflon tape or some other sealer and just unscrew the old one and screw in the new one. I do it with a cold engine and I don't drain the antifreeze. If your half ways quick you don't really loose enough antifreeze to warrant draining it. Hope that helps.

 

[gregmartin]

I thought pushing in the key heated the glow plugs,I will take your advice and check those out. It does sound pretty easy to check. thank you very much.

 

[Egon]

I thought pushing in the key heated the glow plugs,I will take your advice and check those out. It does sound pretty easy to check. thank you very much.

If you're using the inlet manifold heater using starting fluid may make for a big surprise.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I agree with you Egon. I have never used starting fluid on my 4410 so I never even thought of that. My 4410 starts very easily at temperatures as low as 0 F (-18 C) without being plugged in and just glowing for about 30-45 seconds. It's very rare that I have to crank more than 3-4 seconds to get a start. gregmartin I looked in the parts book for glow plugs. Just found a manifold heater.

 

[gregmartin]

I like suprises

 

[diesel lover]

I like suprises

haha!! I have seen the surprises when brake cleaner is sprayed into a 2 liter Yanmar engine on a thermo- king reefer! Boom boom and did I say boom haha!

The engine manifold heater they are referring to is a grid heater just like on cummins engines. It is a heated element placed into the air intake to preheat the incoming air. They work well when they are working correctly. This is NOT to be confused with a thermo-start in older Yanmar engines that makes a flame inside the intake manifold off diesel fuel from the tank.

Grid heaters and glow plugs do draw a lot of amperage off the battery. Before attempting to start your tractor you could put it on a trickle charger overnight or a battery charger just before using your grid heater. This will help top off the battery and may make a more successful cold start. This is strongly recommended if you do have a weak battery.

Check your battery connections and clean. All connections, grounds and even connections at the starter need to be shiney clean. Ground and starter connections can be coated in spray paint and battery connections can be coated in battery protector or dielectric grease.

 

[gregmartin]

Is the manifold heater yellow light suppose to shut off when it get hot enough,because it doesn't. Maybe I'm not holding it in long enough,less than a minute. ( I get impatient ) it got a new die hard on a trickle but still cranks a long time. Hopefully we will get some warmer weather before I need it again. I would like to thank everybody for there comments, I'm a new member and I find everybody so friendly. Thank you.

 

[diesel lover]

Is the manifold heater yellow light suppose to shut off when it get hot enough,because it doesn't. Maybe I'm not holding it in long enough,less than a minute. ( I get impatient ) it got a new die hard on a trickle but still cranks a long time. Hopefully we will get some warmer weather before I need it again. I would like to thank everybody for there comments, I'm a new member and I find everybody so friendly. Thank you.

Cummins engines are automatically timed. There is a sensor that tells how cold it is outside and the timer starts. I believe the longest setting is 40 seconds.

Grid heaters last a long time. On your John Deere to my knowledge it is a manual controlled item. 30 to 40 seconds below zero is easily expected.

Try this : plug your battery into a trickle charger over night, or into a charger/ jumper cables just before use to top off the battery, hold the key for the manifold heater for 30 or 40 seconds, crank the engine for 10 maybe 15 seconds. Just after you stop cranking the engine go back to preheating for 10 or 25 seconds, after preheating crank again for 20 or 25 seconds.

If I knew your engine I would know exactly what has to be done to get everything going. But I do not. That is just something I roughly do on any engine cold start I'm not familiar with. I Never crank a starter longer than needed. For most starters over 30 seconds can be considered harsh on them without any cool down time

 

[RG1]

Is the manifold heater yellow light suppose to shut off when it get hot enough,because it doesn't. Maybe I'm not holding it in long enough,less than a minute. ( I get impatient ) it got a new die hard on a trickle but still cranks a long time. Hopefully we will get some warmer weather before I need it again. I would like to thank everybody for there comments, I'm a new member and I find everybody so friendly. Thank you.

I forgot all about the pre heater. The light does not go off from it getting warm enough. I owned a 4500 for several years, but it's been a few since I sold it. My bad for not remembering it and I apologize, but knew I was right about it not having glow plugs. The manual should say to hold the key in for about 30 seconds normally and a bit longer as needed when extremely cold.